2026 UK Placement Programme (London / Oxford / Belfast)

Oxford Economics; London; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading economic advisory firm in the UK is offering a 2026 Placement Programme for economics students. This one-year industrial placement provides students with practical experience in various teams, enabling them to assist economists and support economic forecasting. Candidates should be studying economics, possess excellent analytical and communication skills, and be keen to apply their knowledge in a real-world context. The role involves collaboration on diverse projects, making it ideal for those looking to jumpstart their careers in economics.

Benefits

Training opportunities

Hybrid working model

Diverse project involvement

Qualifications

• High-achieving university students studying economics.
• Expected grade of 2:1 or above.
• Experience with economic data and analysis coursework.

Responsibilities

• Assist economists with analysis and country forecasting.
• Contribute to reports and economic models.
• Support various teams across the organization.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Education

Economics or related degree

Tools

Excel

Python

Eviews

Job description

Overview

2026 UK Placement Programme (London / Belfast)

Department: Placement Programme

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London, UK

Description

Oxford Economics is the world's foremost independent economic advisory firm. We have a fantastic opportunity for hardworking economics / finance students to join our team in the United Kingdom on a one year industrial placement. Positions are available on the following teams: Macro Forecasting & Analysis, Cities & Regions, Global Industry, Scenarios & Macro Modelling, Data Team, Macro Consulting, Economic Impact, Economic Footprint & Sustainability, and Tourism Economics.

We have an opportunity for successful candidates to gain experience within areas related to their degree subject. Our students will work closely with our experienced team of economists and take on some responsibility for analysis, country forecasting and econometrics. By joining our teams, you will achieve an in-depth practical knowledge related to your degree subject.

Placement positions are available in the following areas of the business:

Using the Oxford Economics Global Economic Model, the macro forecasting and analysis team produces forecasts for GDP, inflation, interest rates and hundreds of other indicators for more than 200 countries updated twice a month. The team also produces written analysis on the implications of the latest economic data and policy news, and in-depth research on the critical issues that will shape the performance of economies and financial markets. Positions are available within the Macro Strategy and Emerging Markets, Real Estate, and Eurozone teams, situated in our award winning Macro and Investor Services division. You should have a particular interest in macroeconomics, quantitative analysis and financial markets. More detail on the positions can be found below.

National-level economic analysis provides only a partial guide to the dynamics unfolding in the world’s major urban centres. Our unique suite of forecasting services covers over 8,000 cities and regions across the world, providing regularly updated data, forecasts and analysis for each location. Our city consultants also work in the areas of urban and regional development, bespoke model building and location benchmarking.

As a placement student in the cities team, you will assist in producing these regional forecasts, as well as supporting our economists in developing the quality of our services. This could include contributing to written reports or exploring novel approaches to data estimation, such as using satellite imagery to estimate regional activity. Over the course of the year, students will gain a deeper understanding of regional economics and how city performance differs from the macroeconomy, developing technical skills across the MS Office suite, Eviews and the mapping software QGIS in the process.

Our team comprises economists focused on particular sectors, such as energy generation and renewables, across the countries we cover. The role of the placement student on our team is to provide support to the economists, forecast their own industries and contribute to monthly and quarterly reports. As the year progresses, placement students are given more interesting work, including forecasting some small macroeconomic countries, provided they perform well in producing work and supporting the economists with high-detail tasks. The placement student is assigned a sector to forecast each quarter and will contribute with write-ups about their sector in our monthly and quarterly publications. The commodities team is also supported on a monthly basis by the placement student. The industry team is involved in regular and bespoke consultancy projects for large industrial firms and trade associations, and our placement student is typically required to help with report writing and analysis. Previous placements have contributed to Global Construction reports and some students have written front-page pieces of monthly documents.

Our London team focuses on designing scenarios and building macroeconomic models that help clients assess the impact of major global risks, from inflation and geopolitical tensions to climate change. Using Oxford Economics’ Global Economic Model (GEM), the team supports Global Scenarios and Climate Services and delivers bespoke projects such as bank stress tests. This work blends economic insight with technical modelling to provide clients with robust, data-driven answers. As a placement student in the Scenarios and Macro Modelling team, you will gain broad exposure to economic consulting and modelling work. Most projects involve using GEM to develop bespoke scenarios. You will be given more responsibility as you develop your skills and knowledge, and by the end of the year you will typically be able to support the production of macroeconomic scenarios.

Our Belfast team specialises in applied macroeconomic consulting and research, helping clients navigate uncertainty and make strategic decisions. The team conducts tailored scenario projects and produces thought-leadership analysis on topical global issues. The placement student will assist with research and take on increasing responsibility, with topics including cross-country indicators of financial conditions, fiscal positions post-COVID, and the impact of events such as the Russia-Ukraine war on terms of trade. Students may also produce country economic forecasts and write related reports, alongside recurring weekly and monthly projects.

We show the social, environmental, and economic impact of our clients’ activities and help communicate these to key stakeholders. Work ranges from in-depth modelling and quantification of the effects of economic policy changes for governments to detailed quantification of the footprint of companies on communities. The role offers opportunities to assist team members on a wide range of projects, with tasks varying by project type.

Our London-based Economic Footprint & Sustainability team supports clients in addressing climate action and decarbonisation. The team uses Oxford Economics’ modelling tools and sector expertise to assess costs, opportunities, and implications of sustainability policies, environmental regulation, and decarbonisation strategies. Their work helps businesses, governments, and financial institutions understand the economic trade-offs of climate action and develop evidence-based strategies for a sustainable future. In this role, you will support team members across various projects, with responsibilities adapting to project requirements.

Tourism Economics is an Oxford Economics company dedicated to forecasting and analytical consulting in the tourism sector. The team tracks, models and forecasts travel sector performance, quantifies the economic impact of visitors, events and destinations, and conducts policy and market analysis and bespoke research. This position offers the chance to collaborate on diverse projects with tasks changing based on scope and objectives. You may also contribute to development and maintenance of economic datasets and data projects with economists.

You will work closely with economists, take on responsibility for analysis, country forecasting and econometrics, and gain experience across the year with the potential to set-up economic models, automate procedures, and contribute to various projects. This role requires attention to detail.

Training Opportunities

Placement Students will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of training opportunities, including formal training to support professional and personal development goals. Training covers techniques needed to handle economics projects, forecasts, and research, as well as communication, project management, presentation, econometrics, and Excel skills. Training will be delivered via short courses, on-the-job training, and a group project. The first weeks include a curated schedule with leading economists, HR professionals, marketing, and program alumni, covering tools such as:

• Using the Oxford Economics Global Economic Model
• Haver, Power BI and Tableau
• Econometrics applications
• Data tools
• Writing skills

The Working Environment

Oxford Economics is a large global organisation with a start-up feel. We support entrepreneurial thinking and offer a hybrid working model: three days in the office and two days from home. The firm has more than 20 offices worldwide, offering opportunities to explore interests globally. The company encourages volunteering and hosts regular social events and activities.

Requirements

Oxford Economics’ Industrial Placement program targets high-achieving university students studying economics who want to apply their understanding to real-world issues. You must be able to present logical economic arguments clearly to economists and non-economists, be a fast learner with strong analytical skills and keen attention to detail, and comfortable meeting tight deadlines and working autonomously.

Successful candidates are numerate with excellent technical skills, work well with others, take responsibility for quality and timeliness, and demonstrate a creative approach to problem solving. Clear and concise communication is essential, as is fluency in English.

Requirements include:

• studying Economics or related degree
• able to undertake a 1-year industrial placement year working full time
• a good grasp of economic theory
• expected grade of 2:1 or above
• experience with economic data and analysis and coursework
• excellent written and verbal communication
• a good eye for detail
• proactive problem-solving approach
• strong knowledge of Excel
• experience with manipulation of data sets using software such as Access/Stata/Eviews/R/Python would be a plus

How to apply: Please submit a CV and covering letter in the application window. In your covering letter please 1) list the three teams you would prefer to be assigned to for your placement year, and 2) whether you prefer to be based in London, Belfast, or Oxford.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting from Wednesday 24th September 2025. We acknowledge all applications and will contact you by email if we wish to proceed with your candidacy.

Oxford Economics is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by the law.