Economics is a social science that provides a strong mix of analytical and quantitative skills, and opens opportunities in a wide array of fields in both the private and public sectors. Reflecting this breadth as a discipline, it touches upon nearly every aspect of human activity and behaviour, as well as their relation to the wider world. At its heart, it provides a basic toolkit for the analysis of and engagement with the most pressing issues of our time.

To some extent, economics is the science of everyday life. It is the study of how households, individuals, firms, and governments make decisions and how institutions, markets, and societies allocate scarce resources. It is also now a heavily empirical area of study, interacting with the frontiers of computer science, data science, and statistics. 

As such, it equips students with the tools to analyse “big” questions in the social sciences:

• Has globalisation gone too far or not far enough?
• How best to forestall climate change or mitigate its effects?
• What are the appropriate policy responses to discrimination in all its forms?
• What are the drivers of and solutions to inequality, both across and within countries?
• What is the role of institutions and their persistence in explaining present-day outcomes?

Many Economics majors find positions in banking and finance, consulting, and start-ups while others now serve as advisers to policymakers, analysts of various stripes, and NGO leaders. Another natural path is entering graduate school in economics, which is the training ground for leading roles in academia, central banks, international institutions, and increasingly technology companies. It is also possible to switch from economics and attend graduate school in many other fields. Economics provides a strong background for further studies in business, law, public administration/health, and transportation/urban studies.

Economics at Yale-NUS

Economics at Yale-NUS covers a breadth of methodologies and topics that intersect with fields like computer science, environmental studies, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The major boasts an impressive faculty with numerous teaching and research awards. Their research interests are richly diverse, but with strengths in applied microeconomics, development economics, econometrics, economic history, environmental economics, and international economics. Their geographical expertise spans the global macroeconomy, but with special interest in East, South, and Southeast Asia.

Careers in Economics

Our alumni have gone on to pursue exciting positions in government and industry. The list below gives a sense of the wide range of careers our alumni have pursued after graduation:

• Enterprise Singapore
• Singapore Ministry of Manpower
• Monetary Authority of Singapore
• Apple
• Goldman Sachs
• McKinsey

In addition, our students have gone on to graduate schools such as the London School of Economics, University College London, and the Yale School of Management.