Discipline · Business & Commerce
Study Economics abroad.
Compare economics and econometrics degrees in 14 countries, from STEM-designated US programmes to one-year UK master’s, and see what economists, analysts and policy specialists earn after graduating.
Updated October 2026 · Indicative data for international students
At a glance
Economics abroad: the quick answer.
Economics is the study of how individuals, firms and governments allocate scarce resources, using theory, statistics and data to explain markets, growth, trade and policy. An economics degree abroad from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands or Germany builds strong quantitative skills valued in finance, consulting, government and tech. Graduates typically earn USD 60K–80K in the USA, and senior economists often earn USD 140K–200K.
- Bachelor’s duration
- 3 years (UK, Europe, Australia) – 4 years (USA)
- Master’s duration
- 1 year (UK, Canada MA) – 2 years (Europe, USA)
- Top study destinations
- USA, UK, Netherlands, Canada, Germany
- Average graduate salary
- USD 60K–80K (US), GBP 28K–36K (UK)
- Key professional bodies
- AEA, RES, Society of Professional Economists
- Best for
- Mathematically strong students curious about society
About the programme
What is Economics?
An economics degree abroad teaches you to analyse how economies work, from the pricing decisions of a single firm to inflation, unemployment and global trade. Students learn microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, using mathematical models and real data to test ideas. Because the training is rigorous and quantitative, economics graduates are recruited far beyond economics jobs, into banking, consulting, data science, public policy and international organisations.
Undergraduate economics is offered as a BSc, BA or BEc, sometimes combined with finance, politics, mathematics or data science. Master’s programmes range from one-year taught MSc and MA degrees to two-year research master’s that prepare students for a PhD. Strong maths, especially calculus, linear algebra and statistics, is essential at most leading universities.
Destination matters for recognition and careers. US, UK and Dutch economics departments are research leaders, and many US programmes are STEM-designated, giving international graduates longer post-study work rights.
What you will study
- Microeconomic Theory
- Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
- Econometrics
- Mathematical Economics
- Statistics and Probability
- International Trade and Finance
- Public Economics
- Development or Behavioural Economics
Types of courses
Types of courses to study Economics abroad.
From short diplomas to doctoral research, here is how Economics qualifications are structured across major study destinations.
Diploma / Certificate
Foundation years and international year one programmes that build maths and economics skills for entry into a partner university’s bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor’s degree
BSc Economics, BA Economics or BEc covering theory, econometrics and policy; joint honours with finance, politics or data science are popular for broader career options.
Master’s degree
Taught MSc Economics, MA Economics or MSc Econometrics for careers in policy, finance and consulting; some programmes accept graduates from engineering or maths.
PhD / Research
Research doctorates required for academic careers and many senior roles at central banks, the IMF, World Bank and economic research institutes; US PhDs are usually funded.
Professional certifications
CFA for investment roles, FRM for risk, NABE’s Certified Business Economist and data science certificates that complement an economics degree for industry careers.
Accreditation & recognition
Economics accreditation and professional bodies.
Economics is not a licensed profession, so there is no single accreditation that grants a licence to practise. Employers instead look at university reputation, research strength, quantitative rigour and STEM designation in the USA. Professional societies support careers and standards, while business school accreditation and CFA Institute affiliation can add value for finance-oriented economics degrees.
| Body / accreditation | Where it counts | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| American Economic Association (AEA) | USA and global | Leading professional society; runs the JOE job market listings used by universities, central banks and research employers worldwide. |
| Royal Economic Society (RES) | UK and global | UK learned society supporting economics education, research and early-career economists through conferences and resources. |
| Society of Professional Economists (SPE) | UK | Network for economists working in business, finance and government; offers CPD and professional development. |
| NABE | USA | National Association for Business Economics; awards the Certified Business Economist (CBE) credential for applied economists. |
| Economic Society of Australia | Australia | Professional body for economists in Australia, connecting graduates with government, banking and consulting employers. |
| CFA Institute | Global | University Affiliation Program recognises economics and finance degrees covering a significant share of the CFA syllabus. |
| AACSB International | Global | Accredits business schools, relevant where economics degrees are taught within a business faculty. |
Current trends
What is shaping Economics right now.
- STEM-designated economics in the USA. Many US universities have reclassified economics programmes as econometrics and quantitative economics, a STEM field, which makes graduates eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
- Causal inference and machine learning. Economists now combine econometrics with Python, R and machine learning, and tech companies hire economists to design pricing, marketplace and experimentation systems.
- Climate and energy economics. Carbon pricing, energy transition finance and climate risk modelling are fast-growing research and career areas for economists in government, banks and consultancies.
- Geoeconomics and trade fragmentation. Tariffs, supply chain reshoring and sanctions have increased demand for economists who can analyse trade policy and geopolitical risk for businesses and governments.
- Economics degree abroad as a data pathway. Students increasingly choose an economics degree abroad as a route into data and analytics careers, since quantitative economics training combines statistics, coding and business understanding.
Programme options
Best Economics courses to study abroad.
The most widely offered and highly ranked bachelor’s and master’s specialisations in Economics, with a short note on what each one focuses on.
Top bachelor’s degrees
BSc Economics
Rigorous quantitative degree; strong UK reputation
BA Economics
US liberal arts route; often STEM-designated
Bachelor of Economics (BEc)
Australian specialist economics degree
BSc Econometrics and Operations Research
Dutch maths-heavy quantitative economics
BSc Economics and Finance
Combines theory with markets and investment
BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Interdisciplinary policy and analysis degree
BSc Mathematics and Economics
Ideal for quant and research careers
BSc Economics and Data Science
Econometrics with programming and ML
BCom (Economics)
Commerce route in Canada, Australia, NZ
BSc International Economics
Trade, development and global markets
Top master’s degrees
MSc Economics
Core taught master’s for policy and finance
MA Economics
US and Canadian one-to-two-year route
MSc Econometrics
Advanced statistical and forecasting methods
MPhil / Research Master in Economics
Two-year PhD preparation route
MSc Financial Economics
Asset pricing and financial markets focus
MSc Development Economics
Poverty, growth and international development
MSc Behavioural Economics
Psychology meets economic decision-making
MSc Economics and Data Science
Machine learning for economic analysis
Master of Public Policy (Economics)
Applied policy analysis for government
MSc Environmental and Energy Economics
Climate, carbon and resource markets
Where to study
Best countries to study Economics abroad.
North America, the UK and Ireland, Schengen Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and the GCC each offer a different mix of programme strength, cost, work rights and industry access for Economics students.
United States
MIT, Harvard, Chicago, Stanford and Princeton lead global economics research, while Duke, NYU, Boston University and Columbia offer taught master’s; many programmes are STEM-designated for longer OPT.
Best for: Research leadership and STEM OPT
United Kingdom
LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL and Warwick offer world-class BSc and one-year MSc Economics degrees, with London’s banks, consultancies and Government Economic Service recruiting graduates.
Best for: Prestige and one-year MSc
Canada
Toronto, UBC, McGill and Queen’s offer strong economics degrees and one-year MA programmes, with graduates hired by banks, government departments and the Bank of Canada.
Best for: One-year MA and PR potential
Australia
ANU, Melbourne, UNSW, Monash and Sydney offer highly ranked economics degrees and master’s, with Canberra’s public service and Sydney’s banks hiring graduates.
Best for: Policy and banking careers
Germany
Bonn, Mannheim, LMU Munich and Frankfurt offer English-taught MSc Economics and doctoral programmes with very low tuition and strong research training.
Best for: Low-cost research-focused master’s
Ireland
Trinity College Dublin and UCD offer economics degrees and MSc programmes close to Dublin’s financial services, fintech and multinational policy and tax teams.
Best for: Finance and EU policy careers
New Zealand
University of Auckland, Otago and Victoria University of Wellington offer economics degrees, with Wellington home to the Reserve Bank and Treasury.
Best for: Public policy in a smaller market
Singapore
NUS, NTU and SMU offer leading economics programmes in Asia, feeding the Monetary Authority of Singapore, banks and regional consultancies.
Best for: Asian finance and policy careers
UAE
NYU Abu Dhabi, University of Birmingham Dubai and Heriot-Watt Dubai offer economics degrees near sovereign wealth funds, central banks and fast-growing financial centres.
Best for: Gulf finance and sovereign funds
Netherlands
Erasmus University Rotterdam, Tilburg, University of Amsterdam and the Tinbergen Institute are renowned for econometrics, with affordable English-taught bachelor’s and research master’s.
Best for: Econometrics and quantitative economics
Jobs after graduation
Best countries to get a Economics job after your course.
Ranked on graduate demand, salary, post-study work rights and long-term residency options for international students.
- 1
USA
The largest market for economists in consulting, banking, tech, government and the Federal Reserve system, with the highest salaries and STEM OPT for eligible graduates.
Pathway: STEM OPT up to 3 years if STEM-designated, then H-1B
- 2
United Kingdom
London’s financial sector, economic consultancies such as Oxera and Frontier Economics, and the Government Economic Service hire economics graduates in large numbers.
Pathway: Graduate Route, then Skilled Worker sponsorship
- 3
Australia
Federal and state treasuries, the Reserve Bank, banks and consultancies employ economists, and the Economist occupation features on skilled lists.
Pathway: 485 visa; VETASSESS skills assessment for Economist
- 4
Canada
Banks, federal and provincial governments and consultancies in Toronto and Ottawa hire economists, and Canadian work experience strengthens Express Entry profiles.
Pathway: PGWP, then Express Entry Canadian Experience Class
- 5
Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore, global banks and research teams hire economists to cover Asian markets, with competitive salaries and low tax.
Pathway: Employment Pass under COMPASS framework
- 6
UAE
Sovereign wealth funds, central banks, investment firms and consultancies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai recruit economists for strategy, research and investment roles.
Pathway: Employer-sponsored visa; Golden Visa for skilled professionals
Average pay scale
Economics salary by country.
Indicative annual gross salaries for Economics graduates in local currency (K = thousand, M = million), with the post-study work rights available to international students.
| Country | Currency | Entry level (0–2 yrs) | Mid-career (3–7 yrs) | Senior (8+ yrs) | Post-study work rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | USD | 60–80K | 90–130K | 140–200K | OPT 12 months (+24 months for STEM degrees) |
| Canada | CAD | 55–70K | 78–105K | 110–150K | PGWP up to 3 years |
| United Kingdom | GBP | 28–36K | 45–70K | 75–120K | Graduate Route 2 years (18 months for applications from 2027) |
| Ireland | EUR | 34–44K | 52–75K | 85–125K | Stamp 1G: 1 year (bachelor’s) / 2 years (master’s) |
| Germany | EUR | 48–58K | 62–82K | 90–130K | 18-month job-seeker residence permit |
| Netherlands | EUR | 40–50K | 55–78K | 85–120K | Orientation year (zoekjaar) 12 months |
| France | EUR | 36–45K | 48–68K | 75–110K | 1-year post-study residence permit (master’s) |
| Australia | AUD | 70–85K | 95–125K | 135–190K | Temporary Graduate visa (485) 2–3 years |
| New Zealand | NZD | 58–70K | 78–105K | 115–150K | Post-study work visa up to 3 years |
| Singapore | SGD | 50–65K | 75–115K | 130–200K | 1-year job-search pass, then Employment Pass |
| Japan | JPY | 4.0–5.5M | 6.0–9.0M | 10.0–16.0M | Up to 1 year job-seeking status, then work visa |
| Malaysia | MYR | 38–54K | 65–100K | 120–200K | Employer-sponsored Employment Pass |
| UAE | AED | 120–168K | 200–336K | 400–700K | Employer-sponsored visa; Golden Visa for top graduates |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR | 108–156K | 190–310K | 380–650K | Employer-sponsored work visa (iqama) |
Salary ranges are indicative for 2025–26 and vary by employer, city, qualification and experience. UAE and Saudi Arabia salaries are generally tax-free. Visa rules change often, so always confirm with official government sources.
Official post-study work information: USA (Study in the States) · UK Graduate visa · Canada PGWP · Australia subclass 485 · Ireland Stamp 1G · Germany (Make it in Germany) · New Zealand Immigration
Careers & salaries
Top jobs after a Economics degree.
The most common career paths, what each role involves, indicative USD-equivalent pay in strong markets, and where demand is highest.
| Role | What you do | Salary (USD equiv.) | Top hiring countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economist (Government / Central Bank) | Analyses economic data and advises on fiscal and monetary policy | 70–160K | USA, UK, Australia |
| Economic Consultant | Provides analysis for competition, regulation and litigation cases | 70–170K | UK, USA, Germany |
| Financial / Investment Analyst | Evaluates markets, companies and assets for investment decisions | 65–150K | USA, Singapore, UAE |
| Data Scientist / Econometrician | Builds forecasting, pricing and causal models from large datasets | 90–180K | USA, Canada, Netherlands |
| Policy Analyst | Researches and evaluates public policy for governments and think tanks | 55–120K | Canada, UK, New Zealand |
| Market Research Analyst | Studies demand, pricing and consumer trends for businesses | 55–110K | USA, Australia, Ireland |
| Risk Analyst | Models credit, market and macroeconomic risk for banks | 65–140K | UK, Singapore, Canada |
| Development Economist | Works on growth, poverty and aid projects for international organisations | 70–150K | USA, UK, Saudi Arabia |
USD figures are approximate conversions for comparison only. Always check current market rates before making career decisions.
The next decade
Scope of Economics over the next 10 years.
What the structural shifts in the field mean for graduates entering it now.
- Quantitative skills stay in demand. Economists’ training in statistics, modelling and causal reasoning is increasingly valuable as organisations rely on data to set prices, forecast demand and evaluate policy.
- Tech and economics converge. Technology companies, marketplaces and fintechs will continue hiring economists to design auctions, pricing algorithms and experiments, expanding careers well beyond government and banking.
- Policy challenges create new roles. Ageing populations, climate transition, AI-driven productivity shifts and trade fragmentation will keep governments, central banks and international organisations hiring economic analysts.
- A versatile economics degree abroad. An economics degree abroad from a quantitatively strong university remains one of the most flexible qualifications, opening doors to finance, consulting, data science and public policy across many countries.
Frequently asked
FAQs: study Economics abroad.
Which country is best for an economics degree abroad?
The USA and UK are best for an economics degree abroad if you want top research universities and global recognition, with many US programmes STEM-designated for longer work rights. The Netherlands is excellent for econometrics at low cost, Canada offers one-year MA programmes with settlement potential, and Germany offers research-focused master’s with minimal tuition.
Which country has the best jobs and PR options for economics graduates?
Australia and Canada offer the clearest pathways, with Australia listing the Economist occupation for skilled migration and Canada rewarding local work experience through Express Entry. The USA has the most economist jobs and highest pay, particularly for STEM-designated graduates. The UK offers strong consulting and finance roles through sponsored Skilled Worker visas.
Is an economics degree worth it?
Yes. Economics consistently ranks among the higher-earning undergraduate degrees because it builds analytical, quantitative and communication skills employers value. Graduates work in banking, consulting, government, tech and research. Its value increases when you add econometrics, programming in Python or R, and internships, which help you move into data-driven roles.
How much do economists earn abroad?
Economics graduates typically earn USD 60K–80K in the USA, GBP 28K–36K in the UK, AUD 70K–85K in Australia and CAD 55K–70K in Canada. Economists with a master’s or PhD and several years’ experience commonly earn USD 120K–200K in the USA, while roles at Gulf sovereign funds and banks can pay AED 200K–700K tax-free.
What are the entry requirements for an economics degree abroad?
Leading universities usually require strong Year 12 mathematics, often higher-level maths or A-level equivalent, along with IELTS 6.5–7.0. Master’s programmes expect a bachelor’s with intermediate microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and calculus, and top US and European programmes may require the GRE. Some MSc programmes accept engineering or maths graduates with limited economics background.
How will AI affect economics careers?
AI will automate routine data collection, forecasting and report drafting, but it increases demand for economists who can judge causality, design experiments and interpret results for decision-makers. Economists who combine theory with machine learning and programming will be well placed, and AI’s own effects on productivity and jobs are becoming a major area of economic research.
Do I need a master’s or PhD to work as an economist?
A bachelor’s degree is enough for many analyst roles in banking, consulting and business. However, job titles such as Economist at central banks, government agencies and economic consultancies usually require a master’s, and academic or senior research roles at institutions like the IMF and World Bank typically require a PhD. A one-year master’s is often the best balance.
Keep exploring
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