Master Thesis

The Chair of Economics and Social Policy supervises Master Theses with a focus on:

  • Social Policy
  • Housing Policy
  • Regional and Urban Economics
  • Tax Policy
  • Cooperatives
  • Political Economy.

Individual proposals related to these topics are generally welcome. In addition, the chair provides specific suggestions for thesis topics (see below). Empirical analysis, literature reviews, and model-based papers are possible, but require suitable existing knowledge. The Master thesis can be written in either English or German.

If you are interested in completing a Master Thesis at the Chair of Economics and Social Policy, please contact either Prof. Dr. Matthias Wrede (per Email) or one of our Research Assistants  (per Email). Please note that your email must include the following information:

  • an outline of your specific skills and interests (letter of motivation) and should explicitly state what empirical and theoretical knowledge you possess and at what level,
  • your current FAU transcript of grades.

Enrollment in one of the following Master Degree programs at the FAU: Socioeconomics (Sozialökonomik), Master of Science in Economics (MSE), or Labor Market and Human Resources (Arbeitsmarkt und Personal)

Other FAU Master degree programs may be considered upon request.

Registration via the respective thesis advisor is possible at any time or directly with Prof. Dr. Matthias Wrede.

The requirements of the Master Seminar within the context of the Master’s thesis include an outline of the thesis, an interim presentation, and a final presentation. Each of these three requirements must be successfully completed in order to pass the Master Seminar:

    1. A thesis outline (ca. 2 pages) must be prepared following the preliminary advisor meeting at the start of the thesis project.
    2. An interim presentation (ca. 15 minutes) on the research question and structure must be given approximately 3 weeks after the start of the project. The interim presentation is followed by a discussion.
    3. A final presentation (ca. 20 minutes) on the research question, structure, and results must be given after submission of the Master’s thesis. The final presentation is followed by a discussion.

The submission deadline for the thesis outline and the dates of the interim and final presentations are set by the Chair.

Guidelines for seminar presentations at the Chair of Economics and Social Policy can be found here.

An example of a presentation for the Master Thesis can be found here.

The Master Thesis can be written in German or English. The length should be between 40 and 60 pages (without tables and figures), but must be agreed upon with the thesis supervisor.

You can find our guidelines for scientific writing at the Chair of Economics and Social Policy and information regarding the formal documentation of empirical analyses here.

The completed thesis must be submitted to the Examinations Office (Prüfungsamt) by the specified deadline in both printed form (2 bound copies) and in electronic form (1 USB stick).

The opening hours and address of the Examinations Office can be found here.

Concrete Thesis Suggestions
Topic: Real estate transfer tax and commuter flows

Research question: Did the increase in real estate transfer tax in Saxony on December 1, 2023, change commuter flows to Saxony?

Data basis: Pendlerrechnung der Länder, https://www.regionalstatistik.de/genesis/online

Background literature: Hilber, Christian A.L. & Lyytikäinen, Teemu, (2017). Transfer taxes and household mobility: Distortion on the housing or labor market? Journal of Urban Economics 101(C), 57-73.

Supervisor: Prof. Matthias Wrede
Topic: The Impact of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine and Enhanced Cooperation within the Framework of a “European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation” (EGTC) on Local Labor Markets

Task: Using fine-scale geodata, the impacts of the Euregio and the EGTC on employment and commuter flows are to be examined descriptively and empirically by comparing them with suitable regions in the vicinity or in other border regions. To identify these impacts, difference-in-differences and spatial regression discontinuity approaches are to be developed.

Literature

  • Howaniec H & Lis M. (2020). Euroregions and Local and Regional Development—Local Perceptions of Cross-Border Cooperation and Euroregions Based on the Euroregion Beskydy. Sustainability 12(18), 7834.
  • Neumark, D. & Simpson, H. (2015). Place-based policies.
  • Duranton G., Henderson J.V., Strange W. (Eds.): Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, vol. 5B , chapter 18, 1198-1287.

Supervisor: Prof. Matthias Wrede
Topic: Effect of internal migration on regional growth

Research question: Does internal migration increases regional per-capita output in Germany?

Data basis: county migration matrices

Method: spatial panel data with IV

Background literature: Centofanti, F.; Basile, R.; Licari, F.; Pitari, J. (2026). The Effect of Internal Migration on Regional Growth in Italy: A Dynamic Spatial Panel Data Analysis. Investigaciones Regionales -Journal of Regional Research 65. 39-65.

Advisor: Prof. Matthias Wrede
Topic: Retirement Savings and Expectations of Renters and Homeowners in the U.S.

Research question: How Do Retirement Savings and Expectations Differ Between Renters and Homeowners in the United States, and What Are the Relevant Factors That Influence Them?

Data basis: Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking (https://www.federalreserve.gov/consumerscommunities/shed.htm)

Method: panel data analysis

Background literature:

  • Lersch, P. M., & Dewilde, C. (2018). Homeownership, saving and financial wealth: a comparative and longitudinal analysis. Housing Studies, 33(8), 1175–1206. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2018.1424803
  • Wainer, Allison & Zabel, Jeffrey (2020). Homeownership and wealth accumulation for low-income households. Journal of Housing Economics 47, 101624.

Advisor: Prof. Matthias Wrede