Economics is a good choice if you want to understand how money, markets, business, and public policy work. In Europe, you can study it in many countries, in English or in the local language, and the best option depends on your budget, grades, and career plan.
This guide gives you a simple overview of where economics is strong, how the degree is usually organised, what costs to expect, what English level is often needed, and what can come after graduation.
Where economics is strong in Europe
Many European countries have respected economics departments. The right place for you is not only about rankings. It is also about teaching style, tuition fees, cost of living, and whether you want to study in English.
- United Kingdom - very strong reputation in economics, but tuition and living costs are often high.
- Netherlands - many English-taught programmes and a strong international student environment.
- Germany - many public universities, often lower tuition, and a wide choice of programmes.
- France - strong universities and business schools, with many options in economics, management, and policy.
- Italy - good public universities and some well-known economics schools, with a lower cost of living in many cities.
- Nordic countries - high academic quality and many English programmes, but living costs can be high.
When you compare countries, check the programme page, not only the country name. A university can be strong in economics even if the country is not famous for it.
How the degree is usually structured
Economics degrees in Europe are often built in the Bologna system. That means a bachelor's degree usually takes 3 years in many countries, and a master's degree usually takes 1 to 2 years.
At bachelor level, you usually study the basics first:
- microeconomics
- macroeconomics
- mathematics for economics
- statistics and econometrics
- introduction to finance, policy, or business
Later, you may choose optional modules such as development economics, behavioural economics, public economics, data analysis, international trade, or industrial organisation.
Many programmes ask you to do group work, essays, problem sets, and sometimes coding or data work. Some universities offer internships, exchange semesters, or a final thesis. If you want a more practical path, look for programmes with applied economics, business analytics, or economics and data science.
Typical costs and what to check
Costs vary a lot by country, university, and whether you study as an EU or non-EU student. Do not trust old forum posts. Always check the official university admissions page and the official tuition fee page for your exact programme.
In general, your main costs are:
- tuition fees - can be low at some public universities, or much higher at private universities and some international programmes
- living costs - housing is usually the biggest cost
- student fees - registration, union, exam, or service fees in some countries
- books and equipment - often lower than many lab-based subjects, but still worth planning for
Some countries have lower tuition at public universities, but higher living costs in big cities. Others may charge more tuition but have cheaper daily costs. If money matters, compare the full yearly budget, not only tuition.
If you need funding, check:
- the university scholarship page
- national scholarship databases
- the scholarship provider's own website
Never assume you will get funding. Scholarship rules, eligibility, and deadlines change often.
English level and language requirements
Many economics programmes in Europe are taught in English, especially at master's level. For bachelor programmes, some are fully in English, while others ask for the local language.
Typical English requirements often fall in these ranges:
- IELTS - often around 6.0 to 6.5 for bachelor entry, and sometimes 6.5 to 7.0 for master's
- TOEFL iBT - often around 80 to 100, depending on the university
- Cambridge tests - accepted by some universities
These are only common ranges. The exact requirement can be lower, higher, or different if your previous education was in English. Some universities also want maths preparation, especially for quantitative economics.
If you study in the local language, you may need proof such as B2 or C1 level. Check the admissions page of each programme, because the rule can differ by university and by study level.
What the graduate labour market looks like
An economics degree can lead to many paths. It does not lock you into one job. Employers often value economics graduates for analysis, logic, data skills, and the ability to explain complex issues clearly.
Common first jobs or next steps include:
- junior analyst roles
- banking and finance support roles
- consulting
- business and market research
- government or public policy work
- data and operations roles
- master's study in economics, finance, public policy, or data science
The labour market is usually better for students who can show more than theory. Helpful extras include Excel, statistics, basic programming, internships, and good report writing. In some countries, local language skills also matter a lot for jobs after graduation.
Keep in mind that economics is a broad degree. Some graduates move into finance or consulting. Others go into policy, research, teaching, or business roles. Your options depend on your skills, your grades, your internship experience, and the country where you want to work.
Common questions
Is economics a hard degree?
It can be demanding because it uses maths, graphs, statistics, and logic. If you like problem-solving and clear thinking, you may enjoy it more.
Should I choose economics or business?
Choose economics if you want to understand systems, markets, and policy in a more analytical way. Choose business if you want a more practical focus on management, marketing, or operations.
Can I study economics in Europe in English?
Yes, many universities offer English-taught economics programmes. The exact options depend on the country and university, so check the programme page carefully.
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