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Suggested Programs for Economics

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Economics students have a tremendous number of options in economics but also in allied fields including accounting, development economics, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management, marketing. Below are suggested programs for economics students with different program types for study abroad.

Programs Specifically Selected for Economics & Allied Fields

Italy: Bocconi Univ.

This is a prestigious program with a global focus offering courses in both business and economics. You will have the opportunity to work directly with professors on a self-designed research project. Internships in Milan may be possible in the summer following the spring term.

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United Kingdom: Summer at London School of Economics

Gain a truly international experience studying alongside current and future leaders in finance and politics. The London School of Economics is one of the world's most prestigious universities offering challenging courses such as E-business, the Art of Negotiation, and International Political Economy. You will have the opportunity to explore London through organized cultural excursions.

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Netherlands: Business & Economics, Maastricht Univ.

This program gives you the opportunity to study business and economics through Problem-Based Learning. You should possess a strong background in quantitative analysis (completion of introductory calculus is recommended) and micro/macroeconomics. This is an advanced program which gives the unique experience of studying in an environment similar to graduate-level seminars at UC.

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Thailand: International Economics

Study economics in Thailand—one of the great development success stories of our time due to its move from a low-income to an upper-income country in only forty years. Specifically designed for economics majors, courses focus on development and international economics in Southeast Asia.

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Denmark: Copenhagen Business School Summer

Take unique and exciting courses taught in English in the areas of business, finance, management, marketing, communications, economics, and statistics at the Copenhagen Business School.

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United Kingdom: Business and Entrepreneurship in London

Take your business ideas to London, one of the world’s top financial centers. Designed by UC and delivered by British professors, this program has a distinct entrepreneurial focus. Examine the current state of business and work in London and learn how small ideas grow into big global companies.

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Immersion & Exchange Programs Suggested for Economics

New Zealand: Univ. of Auckland

The seven teaching departments at the University of Auckland Business School (Business Administration, Business Finance, Business, Business International, Business Management, and Business Marketing) are consistently ranked among the top of their fields in Australasia. Students are entitled to all services at the Business School's own Career Center.

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Hong Kong: Univ. of Hong Kong

Take a wide range of courses at the University of Hong Kong, a highly ranked university both in Asia and nationally. The Faculty of Business & Economics is known for educating world-class business leaders for the current global economy.

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Singapore: National Univ. of Singapore (NUS)

Ranked the best university in economics in all of Asia, NUS is an excellent fit for economics majors and nearly every other academic discipline to help students complete additional degree requirements.

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United Kingdom: Adam Smith Business School, Univ. of Glasgow

Choose from a wide availability of courses in business and economics in this lively and friendly Scottish university. Examples of course topics include environmental economics, regional and Scottish economics, entrepreneurship, and business planning.

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Australia: Univ. of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Business School is a leader in research and has been consistently ranked first among the major Australian Universities for its quality of teaching. Research standards are high, and members of the School play an important part in policy issues and debate within Australia.

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China: Fudan Univ.

Study and experience China's growing place in the world economy in this program tailored specifically for business and economics majors. The program also offers the chance to participate in an internship for academic credit or personal growth. You can study topics such as political economics of China, China economics and development, business abroad, and many more.

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Summer Internships

Czechia: Summer Internship, Prague

Participate in an eight-week, full-time internship where you'll build marketable skills while gaining résumé-boosting experience. Internship opportunities are available in most fields, including business administration and economics.

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Thailand: Summer Internship, Bangkok

An international hub for business, startups, marketing, and finance, Thailand is at the forefront of emerging markets in southeast Asia. Choose a full-time internship and add working in a multicultural environment to the list of skills on your résumé.

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Research Opportunities for MAJOR Majors

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Global & International Opportunities

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Summer Physics Abroad

One potential route to study abroad for STEM students is to tackle a full year of introductory physics over the summer. Typically, this is the summer between students’ first and second year at UC Merced. Consider these options:

Australia: Sydney Summer Physics

Earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit in just eight weeks. Fulfill math requirements for the life sciences or get a jump on pre-med coursework and experience life in Sydney, Australia.

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Cyprus: Nicosia Summer Physics

Study intensive physics for the life sciences in beautiful Cyprus. Note that this program is better suited to biological sciences students than other STEM students.

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Ireland: Cork Summer Physics

In just eight weeks at the University College Cork, you can earn a full year of calculus-based physics credit, get a jump on math coursework, or prepare for a pre-med track. Lab experiments and group workshops expand your science knowledge with students from around the world.

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Spain: Madrid Summer Physics

Add some sizzle to your summer—study in Madrid and return with a full year of physics credit. This intense 8-week program is ideal for life sciences majors who want to get a quick boost in academics.

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United Kingdom: Glasgow Science & Engineering

As the home to the James Watt School of Engineering and the School of Life Sciences, the University of Glasgow offers the perfect environment for this intensive physics summer program.

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United Kingdom: Summer in Sussex

Minutes from the sparkling seafront, Sussex is quintessentially English, with spectacular castles, greenery, and attractions fit for royals. Pre-med and life sciences majors can earn up to a year of physics credit in two months!

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Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Opportunities

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Human Bio Opportunities

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Engineering-Specific Opportunities

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Advanced MAJOR Opportunities

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Completing Other SSHA Requirements Abroad

SSHA students, in general, can take advantage of the requirement to complete four (4) non-major upper-division general education courses—or equivalent—from SSHA areas as varied as English literature to economics. Most SSHA students complete one or more of these required courses while studying abroad. These courses must be reviewed through the   SSHA course approval form.

SSHA students must also complete a total of 60.0 semester units in order to graduate. SSHA students complete many of these units within their major but often need more and can complete these requirements abroad.

Course Approval and Course Approval Forms

With a few exceptions of previously approved courses (ask your academic advisor), courses will need to be approved to meet individual degree requirements. In these cases, students will use the Course Approval Form for the school that would typically offer such a course at UC Merced:

 

The school will often require a syllabus or equivalent in order to do a review. Keep in mind that syllabi may be protected intellectual property of certain professors or universities and may not be publicly posted online. If it is a UC Center program, you may be able to acquire syllabi through your study abroad advisor. If the program is with a local host university and the course is not posted online, you may be able to inquire with the instructor or host university in some cases.

Academic Planning

No matter your academic intentions while studying abroad, you should consult your academic advisor and your MyDegreePath report to plan out your study abroad academic goals. Once you narrow your search to 1-3 study abroad programs consult your program page or ask your study abroad advisor about resources for researching courses in your program.

 

Start planning for study abroad with your academic advisor as soon as you can. One of the keys to maximizing academic success abroad is early planning and scheduling course loads before, during, and after study abroad. This includes strategies such as targeting a study abroad term to exploit areas of flexibility in your academic plan.

Be sure to make use of UCEAP course credit resources below, too.

 

UC Merced Campus Credit through UCEAP

How to Explore Database of Courses Previously Taken

 

Campus Credit Abroad

Planning the courses you’ll take on study abroad is as important as figuring out when and where to go. All courses taken on the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) are guaranteed UC credit, but understanding how each class may fit into your academic plan is a critical part of the planning process.

UCEAP Database of Courses Previously Taken

How to Find Courses for UCEAP

One of the challenges with academic planning and completing the Academic Planning Form is finding courses. While there is never any certainty with course offerings and study abroad always requires a little calculated academic risk, there are some techniques to minimize the risk and exploit unique educational opportunities through study abroad.

Courses & Credit Tab

For nearly every UCEAP program page, there will be a tab labeled “Courses & Credit.” Within this tab you will find information and links in the “Course Opportunities” area. The course resources are listed in order of relevance. Depending on the program, you might find any of the following resources:

  1. Course syllabi
  2. Links to academic majors or programs with courses
  3. A bulleted list of courses

UCEAP Course Catalog

All UCEAP coursework taken in the last five (5) years is listed in the UCEAP Course Catalog. There are a few things you should consider when using the UCEAP Course Catalog:

  1. The list of courses is not comprehensive.
  2. Course units are listed in quarter units (to convert to semester units, divide by 1.5).
  3. Syllabi are not included.
  4. You may need to search less intuitive subject areas to find coursework (e.g. health sciences for public health, "engineering" for bioengineering, business for management and business economics).

Check Previously Approved Courses

There are a few resources available showing coursework previously approved for study abroad online. The resources are limited but they do represent some of the more recent course approvals:

A Note on Course Syllabi

Your academic advisor or school may insist that you need syllabi in order to determine whether a course abroad will substitute a particular degree requirement. While this is generally true, this does not prevent you from planning out your academic schedule abroad and determining what type of degree requirements a course may fulfill.

Sometimes your study abroad advisor or UCEAP can acquire a syllabus on your behalf; however, this is not always the case. Please understand that syllabi are often considered intellectual property and may not be shared until the course begins. Previously approved courses (see above) are often your first go-to resource to select courses.