Economics

The Department of Economics has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions.

"Studying abroad in Egypt allowed me to see the challenges of a developing economy and contributed to my understanding of what role I can play in the field of development economics and international finance." -Dina Amin, Economics Major

Advising Resources

Study Abroad Information on the Economics Website

Economics Advising Contact Information

Major-Specific Info

The Department of Economics encourages its students to add an international dimension to their education by participating in Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA). Study abroad provides an opportunity to expand your academic and cultural experiences while staying on track to complete your major in Economics. Economics coursework is widely available in universities worldwide, with many excellent opportunities. Each year, Economics students attend these and other programs around the world. With proper academic planning, students can have the experience of a lifetime with no loss of time in completing their degrees. 

Why study abroad?

Studying abroad can provide you with many unique skills and experiences that are valuable to future employers, such as:

  • Language skills
  • Flexible thinking and open-mindedness
  • Independence
  • International and cultural awareness
  • Self-confidence
  • Communication skills

Through BSA, you will observe different economic systems, issues, and policies in action and witness how other countries are responding to an increasingly interrelated economic world. At the same time, you can take advantage of unique course work and gain exposure to various schools of thought in the discipline of economics. All of this will help you obtain the broader perspectives, knowledge, and skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy.

When can I study abroad?

Study abroad programs are available at all class levels. The particular semester, summer, or year that you study abroad depends on your individual progress in the major, what coursework you plan to complete abroad, and your immediate plans after graduation. We recommend that students complete at least one, if not all, of the upper division core courses at UC Berkeley before studying abroad (i.e. Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, and Econometrics).

Please consult with an Economics Undergraduate Advisor if this is not possible in your plans. Of the eight upper division courses required for the Economics major, no more than two of these courses can come from departments outside the UC Berkeley Economics Department. Depending on your course selection, you may be able to take up to two courses toward the Economics major while abroad.

Where can I study abroad?

Berkeley Study Abroad has over 40 locations from which to choose (and over 100 different program options in those countries). Some offer intensive language and culture programs, others offer “set” courses which may fit your major. The majority allows you to choose from regular host university course choices (offered in English or the host country language).

Economics students planning to complete a portion of their major abroad have a wide variety of options. For example:

  • The Fudan University program in Shanghai (Spring Semester only)
  • The Business, Economics, and International Studies Program at the University of Commerce Luigi Bocconi in Milan, Italy (Fall, Spring, and Academic year)
  • Study Economic Development and Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa at the University of Ghana, Accra (Fall, Spring, and Academic Year)
  • Interested in summer-only programs? Consider studying at Yonsei University in South Korea or Pembroke University in the United Kingdom.
  • Study the domestic implications of European integration in one of the EU member states.

Additionally, there are many independent programs run by other universities and organizations. The course approval process is the same for the major, though you should talk with an Admissions Office advisor about transferring your units back to Berkeley.

What classes can I take?

Students wanting to fulfill major requirements abroad should consult closely with an Economics advisor. Economics students will only be able to count approved elective courses towards major requirements. Core courses (Econ 100A/101A, Econ 100B/101B, Econ 140/141) must be completed at UC Berkeley. We encourage students to take courses specific to the region they are studying in.

The Economics Department maintains a database of UCEAP course equivalencies. Students planning to study abroad through UCEAP are encouraged to review this database to find pre-approved courses. The database and further information can be found on the Berkeley Economics Study Abroad page.

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

Yes. However students must submit a Course Equivalency Request for each course they plan to take abroad to determine how the courses will satisfy our major requirements. Instructions for submitting a Course Equivalency Request can be found on the Berkeley Economics Course Equivalency Requests page.

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

No more than two (2) courses can be taken “outside” of the major. This includes any course(s) taken off-campus and any pre-approved class taken on-campus from a department other than Economics. For more information on this policy, please visit Taking Courses Outside the Economics Department.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

Yes. The Economics department maintains a database of UCEAP Economics Course Equivalencies which can be accessed on the Berkeley Economics Study Abroad page. Students planning to study abroad through UCEAP should review the database for pre-approved courses. Please visit our study abroad page for further instructions. 

 

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

Plans for students who entered as Freshmen can be found on the Berkeley Economics Freshmen Information page. Plans currently show study abroad incorporated in summer sessions: THREE, THREE AND A HALF, or FOUR years. Sample plans for Transfer students can be found in the Department of Economics Information for Transfers document. Transfer students are encouraged to discuss their study abroad options with an Economics Advisor.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

Students submit the syllabus (or syllabi) for review using the Course Equivalency Request form. These requests are reviewed by the Undergraduate Economics Faculty Committee. Abroad courses in business, accounting, management, and marketing will not be approved, even if they are deemed equivalent to a course found on the list of approved electives at Berkeley. For an abroad course to count for the Economics major at Berkeley, it must be taught within or crosslisted with the Economics department at the partner institution. 

If approved to count for the major, the course must transfer as 2.7 semester units minimum. The course must also transfer at the upper division level in order to count as an approved elective for the major. Course reviews can take 4-6 weeks. 

A maximum of two upper-division courses taken outside of the department can be used towards economics degree requirements. (This includes approved economics elective courses taken at Berkeley that are outside of the economics department such as UGBA, Legal Studies, EEP, History, etc.). Effective Fall 2022, the department’s core courses (Econ 100A/101A, Econ 100B/101B, Econ 140/141) must be completed at UC Berkeley. Only elective courses taken abroad will be considered and reviewed to count towards major requirements.

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

Possibly, but this would need to be carefully planned with an Economics Advisor.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes. However, if a student takes an Economics prerequisite course on UCEAP prior to admission to the major, the UCEAP grade(s) will not be factored into the GPA calculation for admission.

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

Yes.

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

An Economics Undergraduate Advisor signs the form and we only sign UCEAP academic planning forms for students who are officially declared in the Economics major. Undeclared students intending Economics are encouraged to consult with an Economics advisor, however we do not sign UCEAP academic planning forms for undeclared students.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

No.

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

We advise students to check-in with an Advisor in the College of Letters & Sciences to be sure that their plans to study abroad enables them to stay on track with college requirements, including residency and expected graduation date. 

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

No.

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

Yes, but this list is not public. Please contact an Economics advisor for more information.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

Students submit the syllabus (or syllabi) for review using the Course Equivalency Request form. If approved to count for the major, the course must transfer as 2.7 semester units minimum. The course must also transfer at the upper division level in order to count as an approved elective for the major. Course reviews can take 4-6 weeks.