Alumni Career Paths

Professional and academic placement trends for the three most recent Master's cohorts

Based on data reported to the BSE Career Services by alumni in the 2020, 2021, and 2022 cohorts.

In the three most recent cohorts of BSE graduates, 77% have chosen professional career paths, while 23% chose to continue their education in a PhD program or other post-graduate study.

Professional career paths

The alumni who chose a professional career path are working as Economists, Analysts, Researchers or Consultants in industries such as banking and financial institutions, international organizations, consultancies, research institutions or the public sector. This provides the alumni with an international and growing professional network from which they can benefit.

See below for professional placement trends

 

Academic career paths (PhD study)

Every year, a significant percentage of our Master's program graduates enter competitive PhD programs in Europe, the United States or elsewhere, providing an important network in academia.

66% entered PhD in Economics at UPF or UAB
The doctoral programs in Economics at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) are organized jointly with the Barcelona School of Economics. Read about PhD programs in the BSE research community

34% studying in other competitive PhD programs around the world
The most common destinations were United States and United Kingdom. Other common destinations were Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

List of PhD programs (all cohorts)

Career outlook reports

A snapshot of professional and PhD placement results for all graduates in recent cohorts


Alumni choose positions that require their specialized skills

27% Financial Services
Macroeconomic analysts, price analysts, and research departments in European economics, financial markets, and international economy, among others.

24% Consulting
Graduates join consulting firms specializing in competition economics, macroeconomics, financial markets, and public policy.

17% Research and Academic Institutions
Institutions conducting research on economic development, economic policy, health economics, and international trade are the destinations for most graduate who enter this area.

11% Government Authorities and Agencies
Central banks, competition authorities and treasuries are the most common public sector agencies that hire graduates.

9% Technology
Data scientists, economists, and analysts with employers such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Glovo, and Socialpoint.

6% International Organizations and Non-profits
Credit development officers, economists, program analysts, and internships with organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, among others.

6% Other
Alumni also take positions with a variety of other employers looking for skilled analysts and advisors.

Placement Trends by Industry

Alumni take their skills all over the world

47% Europe (outside Spain)
European cities outside Spain with the most alumni are Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, and Paris.

34% Spain
Spanish cities with the most alumni are Barcelona and Madrid.

7% North America
The most common locations are Mexico City, New York, and Washington, DC.

5% South America
Bogota and Lima are the most frequent destinations in South America for recent BSE graduates. 

4% Asia
Alumni from the last three cohorts are living in Delhi, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, and other cities across 10 countries.

2% Africa
Alumni from recent cohorts are in 8 countries: Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and The Gambia.

1% Oceania
You'll find recent BSE graduates in Canberra and Sydney!

Placement Trends Map
  • Alumni choose positions that require their specialized skills

    27% Financial Services
    Macroeconomic analysts, price analysts, and research departments in European economics, financial markets, and international economy, among others.

    24% Consulting
    Graduates join consulting firms specializing in competition economics, macroeconomics, financial markets, and public policy.

    17% Research and Academic Institutions
    Institutions conducting research on economic development, economic policy, health economics, and international trade are the destinations for most graduate who enter this area.

    11% Government Authorities and Agencies
    Central banks, competition authorities and treasuries are the most common public sector agencies that hire graduates.

    9% Technology
    Data scientists, economists, and analysts with employers such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Glovo, and Socialpoint.

    6% International Organizations and Non-profits
    Credit development officers, economists, program analysts, and internships with organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, among others.

    6% Other
    Alumni also take positions with a variety of other employers looking for skilled analysts and advisors.

    Placement Trends by Industry
  • Alumni take their skills all over the world

    47% Europe (outside Spain)
    European cities outside Spain with the most alumni are Berlin, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Luxembourg, and Paris.

    34% Spain
    Spanish cities with the most alumni are Barcelona and Madrid.

    7% North America
    The most common locations are Mexico City, New York, and Washington, DC.

    5% South America
    Bogota and Lima are the most frequent destinations in South America for recent BSE graduates. 

    4% Asia
    Alumni from the last three cohorts are living in Delhi, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, and other cities across 10 countries.

    2% Africa
    Alumni from recent cohorts are in 8 countries: Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and The Gambia.

    1% Oceania
    You'll find recent BSE graduates in Canberra and Sydney!

    Placement Trends Map