Career scope in Economics: Where to study, courses, eligibility and job roles

Do you take an active interest in international trade, migration and the effects of globalisation? Going for a course in Economics will enable you to see the complex dynamics of these areas through a scientific lens as you pursue one of the most lucrative degrees in social sciences.

Specialisations in Economics

• Welfare Economics
• Behavioural Economics
• Development Economics
• Econometrics
• Labour Economics
• Agricultural Economics
• Quantitative Economics
• Environmental Economics
• Health and Education Economics

How to study Economics

• You need Maths as a compulsory subject in your Class XII board exams to enrol in a BSc course in Economics.
• Admission to BSc courses depends on your score in the Class XII board exams or your performance in the admission test, depending on the institute.
• You can do a BSc/BA in Economics. Other UG Economics degrees include BA in Business Economics and Bachelor of Arts in Applied Economics.
• On completion of your graduation you can opt for an MSc degree in Economics on the basis of your results or your score in the entrance exam, depending on the mode of admission at different institutes.

Some popular institutes for Economics:

University of Delhi, Delhi

Some colleges under the University of Delhi that offer an undergraduate degree in Economics:

• Hansraj College
• Shri Ram College of Commerce
• St. Stephens College
• Lady Shri Ram College
• Hindu College

Course: BA in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate and Maths as a subject in your Class XII board exams.
• Admission: Merit-based.

Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Course: MA in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate your graduation to to appear for the JNU entrance exam conducted by the National testing Agency.
• Admission: Depends on your score in the entrance exam.
• You can find more here.

University of Calcutta, Kolkata

Some colleges under the University of Calcutta that offers a BSc course in Economics:

• Scottish Church College
• Asutosh College
• Lady Brabourne College
• Bethune College
• Vidyasagar College

Course: BSc in Economics

• Eligibility: You need Maths as a subject in your Plus-Two curriculum.
• Admission: Merit-based.

Course: MSc in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need a BSc (Hons) degree in Economics from any recognised university and the cut-off is set every year.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• You can find more here.

St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata

Course: BSc in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need at least 45% marks in each of the four subjects included in the aggregate calculation as well as at least 60% marks in Maths in your Class XII board exams.
• Admission: Merit-based.

Course: MSc in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate in your graduation course in Economics.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• You can find more here.

Presidency University, Kolkata

Course: BSc in Economics.

• Eligibility: You must score 70% and need Maths as a mandatory subject in your Class XII board exams.
• Admission: Merit-based.

Course: MSc in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need at least 55% marks in your graduation course in Economics.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• You can find more here.

Jadavpur University, Kolkata

Course: BA in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need to clear your Class XII board exams with at least the cut-off set by the university. You also need Maths as a mandatory subject.
• Admission: Merit-based.

Course: MA in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need a graduation degree in Economics from a recognised university to appear for an entrance test conducted by the department concerned.
• Admission: Depends on your score in the entrance exam.
• You can find more here.

Indian Statistical Institute, Multiple locations

Course: MSc in Quantitative Economics.

• Eligibility: You need a 3-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline with Maths as a mandatory subject in your Class XII board exams.
• Admission: You need to write one or two tests. The number of tests is fixed for each programme and the qualifying score determined by a unique formula set by the Institute.
• You can find more here.

Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai

Course: MSc in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need at least 55% marks in your graduation course in Economics and 60% in the remaining subjects to appear for an online entrance exam.
• Admission: Depends on your score in the entrance exam.
• You can find more here.

Delhi School of Economics, New Delhi

Course: MA in Economics.

• Eligibility: You need at least 60% aggregate in your graduation course in Economics to appear for an entrance exam conducted by the institute.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the admission test and a personal interview.
• You can find more here.

Job roles with a degree in Economics:

• Indian Economic Service (IES) officer: IES officers work for elite government agencies like the Planning Board, Ministry of Economic Affairs and the National Sample Survey. They are recruited through the UPSC exam.
  
• Market research analyst: They collect data and information using a variety of methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market surveys, public opinion polls and literature reviews.
  
• Operations managers: They oversee the production of goods and provision of services to ensure the organisation runs smoothly.
  
• Economic consultants: They use analytical and research skills to carry out studies regarding economic scenarios. They work either independently or as part of a unit employed by a company.
  
• Credit analysts: They conduct microeconomic analysis of prospective clients to assess the risks involved with loaning funds to those people or businesses.
  
• Financial analyst: They conduct research companies, industries, stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles for finance departments.
  
• Policy analysts: Their job is to research and analyse issues that impact the public. They recommend legislation and government intervention to address the problems.
  
• Agricultural economist: They specialise in the economic activity in agricultural markets.
  
• Stock analyst: They analyse a company’s investments, give recommendations and track investment data.
  
• Risk analyst: They work closely with traders to calculate the risk associated with specific trading transactions.
  
• International Banker: They work for international banks like the World Bank on financial and development programmes related to economic growth.