Economics
General Planning Tips For Economics
- Start planning for your study abroad experience early. You can take first and second year ECON preparatory courses as well as ECON major requirements abroad and still graduate on time.
- Study abroad is also a great way to satisfy some KU Core requirements, such as 4.2. If you are earning a B.A., you might consider studying a language abroad.
- Many of the recommended programs in this guide offer classes for both your ECON major and other areas that might be relevant if you have a minor or second major (i.e. accounting, business, finance, math, political science)
- Scholarships are available for study abroad both through KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement and national organizations. Connect with your Economics advisor to learn more about scholarship opportunities for Economics students pursuing international study.
- Courses to take at KU: There may be certain courses within the Economics curriculum that you should plan to take at KU. Meet with your academic advisor to learn more about any restrictions that may exist in your curriculum so that you can effectively plan for a study abroad experience.
When To Go
Freshman
- Schedule a meeting with an economics advisor during your first semester at KU to discuss your graduation plan and identify specific courses as well as specific timing opportunities for your study abroad experience.
- After you’ve met with your academic advisor, continue your program research by visiting the KU Study Abroad Info Center in Lippincott Hall. Study abroad peer advisors can help you to identify suitable study abroad options based upon the information you received from your advisor.
- Studying abroad usually requires two letters of recommendation, so it’s good to start identifying individuals who can speak to your academic qualifications as well as your ability to be successful during an international experience.
- The summer after your freshman year would be a great time to take some of your KU Core and/or first and second-year preparation courses (ECON 142/144, MATH 115 or 125) abroad. Applications for summer programs are usually due March 1st, so visit the Study Abroad Info Center late in the fall or early in the spring semester to learn more about your options.
Sophomore and Junior
- Junior year is an ideal time for economics majors to pursue a study abroad program. Spring semester of sophomore year is also a good option. Some of the recommended programs in this guide require junior status and every program has its own GPA threshold, so pay attention to the eligibility requirements.
- Some sophomore and junior level economics and math courses that are commonly offered abroad include: ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON Electives 500+, MATH 116/126, MATH 290 and MATH 526. Your academic advisor can help you to determine which courses to target for your study abroad experience.
- Summer international internships are a great way to gain valuable professional experience in a unique location. There are several locations to choose from, and you can participate in these internships the summer after your sophomore or junior year.
Senior
- If you plan to study abroad as a senior, you should first meet with an academic advisor prior to applying for a program to make sure that you are on track to complete all your degree requirements.
- ECON 700 and 715, required for students earning a B.S., are only offered at KU during the fall semester. If you study abroad during fall semester of senior year, make sure you have a plan to complete those courses.
Courses and Credit
- Economics faculty have already pre-approved a number of economics courses abroad. To see available pre-approved courses, visit the Course Equivalencies Database.
- If you want to take a class/classes that have not been pre-approved, complete the credit approval process.
Recommended Semester Programs
Student Initiated Programs in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia- Corvinus University of Budapest - Hungary (available through direct enroll or program providers such as API or CIEE)
Recommended Timing: Either semester - sophomore year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON electives
Higher School of Economics (HSE) University Moscow - Russia
Recommended Timing: Either semester - sophomore year, spring semester - junior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives, Calculus, Linear Algebra, Statistics
Minor or Co-Major: Political Science
Korea University - South Korea
Recommended Timing: Either semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 536, ECON 600+ electives, Calculus, Linear Algebra
Minor or Co-Major: Accounting, Business, Finance
Masaryk University - Czech Republic
Recommended Timing: EIther semester - junior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 600+ electives
Minor or Co-Major: Business, Finance
Student Initiated Programs in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America- Nova School of Business and Economics - Portugal
Recommended Timing: Either semester - sophomore or junioar year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives, Calculus, Linear Algebra, Statistics
Recommended Timing: Fall semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives
Thammasat University - Thailand
Recommended Timing: Spring semester - sophomore year, either semester - junior year, fall semester - senior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives, ECON 715
Minor or Co-Major: Business, Finance, Marketing
Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne - France
Recommended Timing: Spring semester junior or senior year
Sample courses: ECON 800+
Minor or Co-Major: Mathematics
Student Initiated Programs in Africa- University of Cape Town - South Africa (available through direct enroll or program providers such as Arcadia, CIEE, IES Abroad, or ISA)
Recommended Timing: Fall semester - sophomore year, either semester - junior year, fall semester - senior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives
Minor or Co-Major: Political Science
University of Exeter - England
Recommended Timing: Either semester or full year - junior year, fall semester - senior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives
Minor or Co-Major: Mathematics, Political Science
University of Hong Kong - China
Recommended Timing: Either semester - sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives, Calcul
Minor or Co-Major: Accounting, Business, Finance, Political Science
University of New South Wales - Australia
Recommended Timing: Spring semester - sophomore year, either semester - junior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives, ECON 700, ECON 715, Calculus, Linear Algebra
Minor or Co-Major: Accounting, Business
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business - Austria
Recommended Timing: Spring semester - sophomore year, either semester - junior year
Sample courses: ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives, ECON 715
Minor or Co-Major: Business
Recommended Summer Programs
Student Initiated Programs in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland- HWR Berlin School of Economics and Law (available through direct enroll or the program provider CEA)
Recommended Timing: Summer after sophomore or junior year
Course: ECON 536
Environmental Studies of Europe
Recommended Timing: Summer after sophomore or junior year
Course: ECON 550
Recommended Timing: Summer after sophomore or junior year
Sample courses: Varies by location
Korea University International Summer Campus
Recommended Timing: Summer after freshman or sophomore year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, Calculus, Linear Algebra
London School of Economics Summer School (available through direct enroll or program providers such as IFSA or API)
Recommended Timing: Summer after freshman, sophomore, or junior year
Sample courses: ECON 142, ECON 144, ECON 520, ECON 522, ECON 526, ECON 500+ and 600+ electives, ECON 715
Minor or Co-Major: Business, Finance