Course guide · updated Oct 2026

Economics & Finance abroad

Economics, finance and accounting, from theory to quantitative methods. STEM rules, degree routes, entry requirements and live program counts.

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What you study

Choices, markets and the maths behind them

Economics studies how people, firms and governments make choices with limited resources. The core is microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, supported by mathematics and statistics. Quantitative tracks lean heavily on econometrics and programming.

Finance programs focus on markets, investments, corporate finance and risk. Accounting programs cover financial reporting, audit and tax, and often map onto professional qualifications.

Popular specialisations

Where you can take it

Each card opens matching programs in the explorer, where you can filter by country, level and fees.

01

Economics

Micro, macro and policy.

Browse programs →02

Finance

Markets, investments and corporate finance.

Browse programs →03

Quantitative methods

Management science, modelling and decision analysis.

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Accounting

Reporting, audit and tax.

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Actuarial science

Risk, insurance and pensions mathematics.

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Degree routes by country

How long it takes, and what comes after

Typical lengths and post-study work rules as of October 2026. Individual programs vary, so check the course page before you apply.

USAStudy in the USA →
Bachelor’s
A bachelor’s is usually a four-year degree, and you often take a broad mix of courses before you declare a major.
Master’s
Master’s programs commonly run one to two years, depending on the program and whether it includes a thesis or internship.
After you graduate
OPT gives up to 12 months of work at each degree level. Graduates of degrees on the DHS STEM list can apply for a further 24 months (STEM OPT). New OPT fees proposed by DHS in October 2026 are not in effect.

Econometrics and Quantitative Economics (CIP 45.0603) and Actuarial Science (52.1304) are on the DHS STEM list; Economics, General (45.0601) is not. Check the CIP code before you accept an offer.

UKStudy in the UK →
Bachelor’s
Three years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, four in Scotland. A placement (sandwich) year, where offered, adds a year in industry.
Master’s
A taught master’s usually takes one full-time calendar year. Integrated master’s degrees (MEng, MSci) take four years, five in Scotland.
After you graduate
Graduate Route: 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and 3 years after a PhD.

MSc programs in economics and finance are usually one year and often expect strong maths. In official UK data, economics sits under Social sciences, and finance and accounting under Business and management.

CanadaStudy in Canada →
Bachelor’s
Bachelor’s degrees take three to four years. Colleges also offer diplomas (two to three years) and certificates (one to two years).
Master’s
Master’s degrees take one or two years after a bachelor’s. Co-op programs add paid work terms in your field.
After you graduate
A post-graduation work permit (PGWP) of up to 3 years. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates are exempt from the PGWP field-of-study rule; college programs must be in an eligible field.

Master’s programs in economics and finance range from one to two years. Degree graduates are exempt from the PGWP field-of-study rule.

Live from official data

Economics & Finance programs you can apply to

Counts by country from our database of official course data, updated as the data changes. Pick a country to see a sample, then browse and filter the full list.

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🇺🇸programs in the USBrowse →🇬🇧Listed by subject areaUK data groups economics under Social sciences, finance under Business and managementBrowse →🇨🇦programs in CanadaBrowse →

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Typical entry requirements

What universities usually look for

In general terms. Every university sets its own requirements, and they differ between programs at the same university.

Academics

For a bachelor’s: Class 12, with Mathematics commonly expected. For a master’s: an economics or quantitative degree; calculus, linear algebra and statistics help a lot.

English

Most universities accept IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic, each setting its own minimum. For a UK Student visa your English must be at least CEFR B2 for degree-level study, and your university can assess this. See our IELTS, TOEFL and PTE guides.

Tests

US economics master’s and PhD programs often ask for the GRE; finance programs may accept the GMAT. Check each program page.

Your application

Statement of purpose, recommendations and transcripts. For research degrees, a writing sample or research experience helps.

Career paths

Where graduates often go

Common roles for graduates of this field. Where you end up depends on your university, experience, work rights and the job market.

Economic / policy analystGovernment, think tanks and NGOs.
Financial analystValuation, budgets and forecasts.
Investment analystResearches companies and markets.
Risk analystMeasures and manages financial risk.
Accountant / auditorWith professional qualifications.
ActuaryWith professional exams.
ConsultantEconomic and strategy consulting.
ResearcherUsually after a master’s or PhD.

We don’t quote salary figures on this page: they vary widely by city, employer and visa status. Ask a counsellor for current, sourced numbers for the roles you are considering.

Ready to shortlist Economics & Finance programs?

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Sources

Rules, durations and STEM codes on this page were checked against these official sources in October 2026. Live program counts come from our database of official course data; see credits and data sources. Always confirm details on the university’s own course page.

  1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (last updated 22 July 2024) (checked Oct 2026)
  2. Study in the States (DHS), F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) (checked Oct 2026)
  3. Study in the States (DHS), STEM OPT Extension Overview (checked Oct 2026)
  4. Study in the States (DHS), DHS publishes proposed rule establishing fees for Optional Practical Training (7 October 2026) (checked Oct 2026)
  5. QAA, The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies (2024) (checked Oct 2026)
  6. QAA, Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement (checked Oct 2026)
  7. GOV.UK, Graduate visa (checked Oct 2026)
  8. EduCanada (Global Affairs Canada), Common pathways to college and university (checked Oct 2026)
  9. EduCanada (Global Affairs Canada), Graduate studies (checked Oct 2026)
  10. IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: field of study requirement (checked Oct 2026)
  11. IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: about (length of the permit) (checked Oct 2026)
  12. GOV.UK, Student visa: knowledge of English (checked Oct 2026)