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The role and influence of economists have never been more important. From governments to businesses and banks, every organisation, big or small, benefit from their sophisticated analytical skills to assess economic policies, market behaviours, and financial systems, all of which are crucial in a world striving to create a more sustainable future for all.
In India, economists were the backbone behind the world’s largest population’s implementation of a Goods and Services Tax (GST). No small feat, it required a deep understanding of economic principles and statistical techniques, as well as advanced models to predict the GST’s impact on different sectors of the economy and on different groups of people.
In Saudi Arabia, economists are the authors of significant portions of the country’s Vision 2030. The reform programme aims to shift its overdependence on oil to a more diversified economy propped up by tourism, renewable energy, entertainment, and more.
A master’s degree from a good economics school sets you up to be a professional of this calibre. Not sure which university to enrol in? These four global institutions offer the best master’s programme you can find along with an immersive location that you can benefit from.
City St George’s, University of London
Studying at City St George’s, University of London’s Department of Economics means learning in a friendly, engaging, and supportive environment, both in and out of the classroom. Amongst a dynamic cohort, you will develop skills and knowledge to analyse the economic relationships between people, markets, and governments through a range of Economics courses at undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and research degree levels.
This being City, St George’s, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to programmes. It has not one, but an entire suite of newly revamped Economics MSc programmes. Each responds to the new era of economics emerging and includes topics at the frontiers of knowledge. Whether core or elective, the modules leverage research from world-leading experts. Their breakthroughs are your learning materials. Thus, when the programme covers subject areas such as Quantitative and Research Methods, Data Analytics and Programming, or E-commerce and Digital Markets, you’ll always be learning the latest in the field from its foremost experts.
The programmes offered include Economic Evaluation in Health Care MSc, Economics MSc, Economics and Data Analytics MSc, Economics and Public Policy MSc, Financial Economics MSc, Health Economics and Policy MSc and International Business Economics and Strategy MSc.
Choose any of these master’s degrees and you’re set to develop skills using economic theory and quantitative techniques to solve real world problems you may face in your career. The department is based in central London, one of the world’s greatest political and financial centres. This is where leading international businesses are located – you’ll have an exciting chance to engage with industry and explore the city.
Apply for City, St George’s Department of Economics September 2025 intake now.
LSE’s Department of Economics counts nine Nobel laureates among its staff and alumni, playing a key role in significant intellectual advancements over the last five decades. Source: London School of Economics and Political Science
London School of Economics and Political Science
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a world leader in economics education, renowned for its cutting-edge research, prestigious programmes, and influential alumni. Founded in 1895, the LSE Department of Economics has a rich legacy of shaping economic thought and nurturing future leaders.
The department offers many MSc programmes designed to equip students with the advanced analytical and technical skills employers seek. These programmes include MSc Economics, MSc Economics (Two Year Programme), and MSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics.
The MSc Economics programme, prepares graduates for careers in government, central banking, international organisations, and private sector firms. Its curriculum emphasises core economic theory, macroeconomics, and econometrics, using mathematics for in-depth analysis.
Here, you’ll dive into the complexities of the global economy under the guidance of faculty members, including nine Nobel Prize winners — something student Leo Chi-Chung Ng benefits from. “The level of teaching and research in the MSc Economics programme is excellent,” Ng says. “The teaching is diverse, as each of the lecturers specialise in their own research areas, which allows many in-depth academic discussions. We also had this year’s Nobel laureate teach us in one of the core courses.”
Another advantage is its location in London, a global financial hub. Students can access many academic resources, research institutes, and industry leaders, creating a dynamic environment that prepares them for real-world challenges. The result? Many LSE graduates have landed positions with firms such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Bank of America, while others pursued PhD programmes at top universities like MIT and Stanford.
Sciences Po has campuses located in seven cities all around France: Sciences Po/Facebook
Sciences Po
Students at Sciences Po share the same goal: to understand the world in order to change it for the better. This is heavily reflected in the Department of Economics, where fundamental research is emphasised. Not only do the core courses revolve around research, but they are also taught by professional academic researchers, giving you a more in-depth view and understanding when conducting your work.
These professionals are recruited internationally. This is to ensure both academic excellence and internationalisation of the faculty. Since the majority of the department’s faculty members obtained their qualifications abroad, this gives the programme a more global perspective and opportunities for international networking.
Pursuing the Masters in Economics here is a sure way to advance your career. Top graduates were offered to continue their studies at places like Berkeley, Yale, and Duke, while others went on to work in top companies. This is because of the highly effective curriculum. In the first year, you will train in technical and methodological foundations of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. The second year will see more elective courses included in the curriculum, allowing you to specialise in areas you find interesting.
Sciences Po has campuses located in seven cities all around France, each with its own historical and cultural heritage. These include Dijon, Le Havre, Menton, Nancy, Poitiers, Reims, and Paris, the latter of which is its main campus. Situated in the neighbourhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the campus in the heart of the French capital is in proximity to such attractions like the Louvre Museum, the Seine river, and the Luxembourg gardens.
Central European University is accredited in the US and Austria, and offers English-language programmes. Source: Central European University
Central European University
Set in Vienna, the Central European University (CEU) is a gateway to a world-class education that transcends borders. Here, students can pursue a more affordable master’s degree (especially compared to the US and the UK) that opens doors to career options worldwide. CEU boasts a cutting-edge curriculum and a world-class faculty, providing a unique American-style education experience in the heart of Europe.
Designed by CEU economists, the two-year MA in Economics, Data, and Policy programme provides a curriculum tailored to various needs, offering specializations in Economic Policy, Research, Data Science, or Finance. Regardless of your chosen track, you’ll engage with many issues that define contemporary economics and draw on complementary social science disciplines to contextualize your learning. Those with a solid economic foundation can opt for a one-year programme with available Research and Global Economic Policy tracks.
With professors from over 30 countries and having obtained PhDs from renowned institutions like Princeton and Harvard, CEU ensures world-class academic excellence. The faculty’s active involvement in research, publications in top-ranked journals, and prestigious grants expose students to frontier research, creating a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.
Students benefit from small class sizes (7:1 student-to-faculty ratio), which encourages an intimate and interactive learning environment. The Department of Economics and Business organizes weekly research seminars featuring speakers from Harvard Business School, LSE, Princeton, Berkeley, and more. The university’s library, stocked with relevant books and online resources, further supports students’ academic pursuits.
CEU’s impact is global. Its student body is diverse. Alumni are scattered worldwide. Keen to join them? CEU also offers MS programmes in Business Analytics and Finance. All programmes are in English, ensuring unparalleled educational and professional opportunities for students worldwide.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
