Information Session Master of Science in Applied Economics (MSAE) Fred Y Kwan

The MSAE Programme  A relatively new programme 1st class  Offered by the Department of Economics and Finance (EF), College of Business, City University of Hong Kong  CityU is one the eight HK government funded universities in Hong Kong CityU is a non-profit making university

The City University of Hong Kong  Top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education Supplement, UK, 2005)  Top 30 Asian Universities (Asiaweek 2001)  Top 10 universities in the Greater China Region (Shanghai Jiaotong University Surveys 2003 and 2004)

College of Business  Ranked top 100 in the world (University Texas-Dallas 2005)  Triple accredited by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA for high quality teaching and research  The only business school in the Greater China region to have gained all three accreditations.

Department of Economics and Finance (EF) - Ranking  Economics research ranked top 5 in Asia (Asian Economic Review 2008) International Economics ranked number 1  Finance research ranked among top 3 in Asia (Economic Inquiry 1999)

MSAE Programme – Why a good training in economics is essential Economic analysis is widely applied in international trade, telecommunication markets, competition law, banking and financial systems, as well as other disciplines like public policy, marketing, accounting, etc. Our programme will provide you with a solid training in economic analysis and techniques Upon graduation, you will be qualified to pursue a career as a professional economist in business and governmental organizations or further your study at the PhD level in economics and other fields.

MSAE Programme - Teaching staffTeaching staff  International teaching cast Prof Gregory Chow, Princeton U Prof Cheng Hsiao, USC Prof Yew-Kwang Ng, Monash U Prof Eytan Sheshinski, Hebrew U and Princeton U Prof Bharat Hazari, Australia Academy of Social Science and CityU Prof Kwan Choi, Iowa State U Prof Ira Horowitz, Florida U Prof Tom Lubik, Richmond Fed Dr Vivian Lei, U of Wisconsin (Milwaukee) Prof Nelson Mark, Notre Dame U Plus in-house staff all have PhD from renowned graduate schools in US or Europe.

These professors teach an entire course, not just give a talk. For example,  Microeconomics  Econometrics  Topics in Microeconomics  International Finance  Bharat Hazari, Deakin U, Australia.  Cheng Hsiao, USC, USA.  Licun Xue, McGill U, Canada. Nelson Mark, Notre Dame U, USA. You get the same education as if you go to graduate schools in US, Canada, and Other countries. But you pay a relatively low tuition fee and living expenses!

MSAE Programme – Targeted students & Current Student Profile  Designed for fresh graduates who are prepared in analytical thinking, quantitative skills and keen on economics  Applicants are expected to have attained an intermediate level of undergraduate microeconomics, although a bachelor’s degree in economics or related areas is not a pre-requisite for admission  Our current students are graduates of prestigious universities from Hong Kong and mainland China, as well as overseas countries including US, Canada, UK and Australia International students from Belgium, USA, and France.

MSAE Programme – Contents and Duration  The programme aims to enhance students’ ability in analyzing economic policies, making business decisions, and performing applied economic research  Students will receive training in economic analysis, empirical and quantitative methods  Complete the programme (9 courses + 1 seminar series) in one year.

MSAE Programme – Programme Structure 30 credits 5 Core Courses (15 credits) 5 Elective Courses (15 credits)

MSAE Programme – Programme Structure (con’t) Core CoursesElective Courses (At least two of the following) Advanced International TradeChina Economy EconometricsEconomic Growth and Development Advanced MicroeconomicsExperimental Economics Advanced MacroeconomicsFinancial Economics Seminars in Applied EconomicsIndustrial Organization International Finance Topics in Microeconomics Urban and Real Estate Economics Topics in Macroeconomics

Free Electives  Can choose up to three free electives EF finance courses: Corporate Finance, Investment, Advanced Corporate Finance. Courses offered by other departments, e.g.  (MS) Forecasting Methods for Business, Statistical Methods for Finance, Business Scheduling, …  (Math) Mathematical Methods in Finance  (MA) Human Resources Management  Marketing, IS, Law, …

Very flexible structure  Students who wants to have 100% econ contents can choose all 5 electives from the list of core electives  Students who wants a heavy dose of finance can achieve a 1/2-1/2 proportion of econ and finance (Core electives) Financial Economics and International Finance. (Free electives) Any three of Corporate Finance, Investment, Mathematical Methods in Finance, Stat. Methods for Finance, Adv Corporate Finance.  Students can mix the 5 electives to achieve any structure they like

A Special Feature - Seminars in Applied EconomicsSeminars The workshop is one of the compulsory core courses Its objective is to enrich your professional scope and knowledge by providing you with insights into the application of economic analysis to real world issues Professional seminars, workshops, and public lectures are organized for students to gain exposure to real world practice Past speakers: Professional economists, Bankers, Professors, Writers, and other practitioners.

Career Prospects General Business Economists in Banks, Government Bodies, and Policy Research Institutes Further graduate work at the PhD level Check our website

Track Records: Further Study  We have sent over 30 students to various graduate schools in North America, Europe and elsewhere.  Schools: Cambridge, Cornell, Oxford, Rochester, UBC, UC-Irvine, Wisconsin, …  Website Website

Some examples  Don’t have to be the top of class or ultra high GRE/TOEFL to get offers  Don’t have to be ultra strong in background to get AD from LSE  Reflect the high value-added and good reputation of the MSAE programme  See track record Excel files.

A Good Stepping Stone  If you haven’t applied for overseas grad schools or if there is no good offers, the MSAE programme can be a good stepping stone to get you to good overseas schools.  Save your time: Only one year.  Relatively low cost and high quality compared with US or European Master programmes.

Track Records: Jobs  Four classes of graduates so far.  Job offers for Mainland students include Investment banks in HK and Beijing Big4 in HK, Shenzhen, and Shanghai Asset management and consulting firms People Bank of China Big Banks like Citic, Chartered, HSBC. See our website.website  Fully employed.

Career Enhancing Activities  CV and interview workshops  Alumni experience sharing  Career talks  Individual consulting  Recommend students to companies  Reference letters

Working in HK  Mainland students can work in HK upon graduation from the programme  Get HKSAR citizenship after 7 years  “Study immigration” is much cheaper than “investment immigration” ($6.5 million) and less demanding than “talent immigration” (e.g. Lang Lang, Li Yundi, …).

Cost Tuition fee: About HKD 100,500 Living expenses: About HKD 40,000 – 50,000

Scholarships  Professor Gregory Chow Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship (up to $130,000) and the MSAE Scholarships.  To be awarded to successful applicants with outstanding academic performance  Every year we hire a few graduates as RA/TA for one year ($13,000 per month) – A kind of exit scholarship. Hired 6 students from the class

Minimum Admission Requirements  A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university  Applicants whose bachelors degree is obtained from a non-English- speaking institution need to fulfil:  TOFEL score of 79 (internet) or 213 (computer) or 550 (paper) or  IELTS - overall band score of 6.0, or  CET- Band 6 Certificate 490, or  Other equivalent qualifications  Expect an intermediate level of undergraduate microeconomics and quantitative skills (i.e. calculus, statistics, etc.), although a bachelor’s degree in economics is not a pre-requisite  Grad level economics is technically demanding  Students with a physical science or engineering background are encouraged to apply

Application Procedures Application Short-listed applicants Successful applicants Online/ Paper Interview with Programme Director And Teaching Staff Pay Acceptance Fee (6 credit units) (non-refundable) On-line Application: Application Closing Date: April 30, 2010

Further Information  Website:   Phone:  Fax:

March (Sat & Sun)  You can talk to me at the 15 th China International Education Expo  The booth of City University of Hong Kong  Address:  China World Trade Exhibition Center  1 Jianguomenwai Avenue

Questions and Answers Session