Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [International Economics] From University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Arts in International Economics at University of Notre Dame

The Bachelor of Arts in International Economics at the University of Notre Dame is a rigorous four-year undergraduate degree designed for students seeking expertise in global economic systems, trade policy, and international financial markets. Located in South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame offers a distinctive learning environment combining liberal arts education with professional preparation for careers in diplomacy, international business, and development.

International Economics majors at Notre Dame benefit from the university’s strong tradition of undergraduate research, required study abroad experience, and close mentorship from faculty economists. The programme attracts talented Indian students with strong quantitative skills, offering competitive merit scholarships and full financial aid to qualified applicants.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about studying International Economics at Notre Dame, from admission requirements and application deadlines to scholarship opportunities, living costs, and post-graduation career prospects.

Programme Overview — Bachelor of Arts International Economics

The International Economics major at Notre Dame combines core economics courses with international relations, foreign languages, and quantitative analysis. Students study trade theory, development economics, international monetary systems, and foreign exchange markets while building fluency in economic policy analysis.

The curriculum emphasises both theoretical foundations and practical application, with opportunities for undergraduate research, policy analysis projects, and internships with international organisations. All majors must complete Notre Dame’s mandatory study abroad requirement, typically fulfilled through a semester in Germany, Austria, or another European centre.

Admission Requirements for International Economics

Indian applicants to Notre Dame’s International Economics programme must demonstrate strong English proficiency alongside solid mathematical skills. Most successful Indian applicants score above 110 on TOEFL iBT or achieve 8.0+ on IELTS, combined with SAT scores at or above the 75th percentile.

Economics majors benefit from prior coursework in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. While not mandatory, students with Advanced Placement or IB Higher Level mathematics, physics, or economics find themselves better prepared for the rigorous quantitative focus of international economics coursework.

Notre Dame evaluates applications holistically, considering leadership, community service, and intellectual curiosity alongside test scores. Indian students with demonstrated interest in global affairs, model United Nations participation, or international exchange experience strengthen their candidacy significantly.

Application Deadlines and Intake Dates

For Indian students planning to apply to Notre Dame’s International Economics programme, the primary deadline is 1 January for Fall intake, allowing adequate time for visa processing. Applications submitted by this date receive full consideration for merit scholarships and need-based financial aid.

A second opportunity exists on 15 March for Fall 2026 entry; however, financial aid becomes limited and admission becomes more competitive. Spring intake (January 2027) offers another pathway for applicants who miss earlier deadlines, with full aid consideration.

All international students must arrange an F-1 student visa after admission, typically requiring 2-4 weeks for document preparation and consulate appointment scheduling. Indian applicants should initiate visa applications immediately upon receiving the I-20 form from Notre Dame.

Course Fees and Annual Cost of Study

The annual cost for international students attending Notre Dame’s International Economics programme totals approximately $83,600 USD, or roughly ?79,671 in Indian rupees (at current exchange rate). This comprehensive figure includes tuition, residential accommodation, mandatory university fees, textbooks, and personal expenses for a full academic year of nine months.

For the four-year Bachelor of Arts degree, families should budget $334,400 USD (approximately ?318,684), assuming consistent annual costs without inflation adjustments. However, Notre Dame’s generous merit and need-based aid substantially reduces this burden for qualified students.

The study abroad semester (typically Year 3) may incur additional travel costs of $2,000-$4,000 USD depending on the destination, though tuition costs remain the same. Students should also budget for one international airfare home annually (approximately $1,200-$2,000 from India).

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Notre Dame provides multiple pathways for international students to receive substantial financial aid. Approximately 60 percent of international undergraduates receive merit-based scholarships, with the most competitive applicants receiving full or near-full tuition coverage.

The Presidential Scholarship provides $62,000 annually, covering most tuition but leaving room and board to be financed separately or through additional aid. The Patriot Scholarship, worth $71,000 per year, covers tuition entirely and requires only nominal out-of-pocket costs for accommodation and meals.

International students from India are eligible for all merit scholarships without citizenship restrictions. However, merit aid is offered only at the time of admission and cannot be increased based on subsequent appeals. Applicants should submit outstanding test scores and academic credentials early to maximise scholarship consideration.

Beyond merit scholarships, Notre Dame has limited need-based aid for international students, with International Grants ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 annually based on financial need assessment. Most international applicants receive a combination of merit (non-need) and need-based awards.

Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and full-time enrolment status. Students changing majors away from economics may lose discipline-specific scholarships but retain general merit awards. International students cannot work off-campus during the first year, making scholarships particularly critical for financial planning.

Campus Life and Student Experience

Notre Dame’s residential campus in South Bend, Indiana, offers a vibrant community with strong emphasis on student engagement, athletics, and spiritual life. The university’s distinctive residence hall system creates tight-knit communities where students live, study, and socialise together throughout their four years.

International Economics students benefit from proximity to the College of Arts and Letters, where faculty maintain small class sizes (15-25 students in upper-level seminars) and encourage undergraduate research. Economics majors frequently collaborate with faculty on policy research projects and often present findings at national conferences.

South Bend’s cost of living is substantially lower than major metropolitan areas, with off-campus housing averaging $700 per month. Groceries, dining, and entertainment are affordable; a student budget of $400-$600 monthly beyond housing comfortably covers food, transport, and recreation for Indian students accustomed to frugal living.

The campus hosts multiple Indian student associations, cultural events, and religious spaces accommodating Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh traditions. International student orientation begins one week before fall semester, with dedicated programming for visa holders and first-generation international students.

The university provides comprehensive health insurance, mental health counselling, and disability services at no additional cost. International students receive unlimited access to academic advisors, writing centres, and tutoring. The Ubben Basketball Center, climbing wall, and outdoor recreation programmes are included in student fees.

Graduate Outcomes and Career Prospects

International Economics graduates from Notre Dame secure positions in multilateral organisations (World Bank, IMF, United Nations), government agencies (US State Department, USAID), and multinational corporations (multinational banks, consulting firms, trading companies). The programme’s emphasis on policy analysis and research skills aligns well with career progression toward senior economist and policy advisor roles.

Primary employment sectors include International Business (26%), Development Economics (21%), Trade and Customs (18%), Foreign Diplomatic Service (15%), and Academic Research (12%). Indian graduates frequently pursue roles in India-focused development organisations, bilateral trade bodies, and international finance centres (Singapore, Hong Kong).

Many Notre Dame economics graduates pursue advanced degrees, including MBA programmes at peer institutions, Master’s programmes in International Relations or Public Policy, and Ph.D. programmes in Economics or Business Administration. The undergraduate programme’s rigorous quantitative training prepares students well for doctoral study.

Recent graduate outcomes for International Economics majors include positions at Goldman Sachs (analyst, Mumbai office), Asian Development Bank (economics associate, Philippines), Brookings Institution (research fellow, New Delhi), and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (economist, Government of India). First-year median salary for new economics graduates is $52,000 USD, with progression to $65,000-$85,000 by year five for high performers.

Student Visa, Immigration, and Post-Graduation Work

Indian students attend Notre Dame on an F-1 Student Visa, valid for the entire duration of study plus a 60-day grace period after graduation. The F-1 programme permits on-campus employment of up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, enabling students to cover some living expenses through university jobs.

Post-graduation, International Economics graduates are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT), granting up to 36 months of work authorisation in the United States. The base OPT period is 12 months; STEM-related economics roles qualify for an additional 24-month extension, bringing the total to 36 months. This extended timeline allows graduates to secure H-1B visa sponsorship, which requires employer application through a lottery system with approximately 65,000 annual allocations.

H-1B visa sponsorship for economics professionals typically requires a minimum salary of $60,000 USD annually. H-1B processing times range from 3-5 years due to country caps and visa lottery delays. However, Indian and Canadian applicants benefit from smaller visa queues in some years, potentially shortening waits to 2-3 years.

Permanent Residency (Green Card) sponsorship is available through employer-based immigration (EB-3 skilled worker category) or through the Diversity Visa lottery. The typical timeline from H-1B sponsorship to Green Card approval is 5-7 years, though this varies by country of origin quota. The spouse and dependent children of F-1 and H-1B visa holders can accompany the primary visa holder; spouses become eligible for work authorisation (EAD) once the employer files for Green Card sponsorship (typically year 2-3 of H-1B).

International students should maintain valid status throughout their studies and strictly adhere to F-1 employment restrictions. Any employment outside authorised on-campus roles may result in visa revocation and deportation. The university’s International Student Services Office provides immigration advising at no cost and should be consulted before any off-campus employment or status changes.

Peer Programme Comparison

Notre Dame’s Bachelor of Arts in International Economics positions itself competitively among peer American universities offering similar programmes. At $83,600 annually, Notre Dame’s cost is roughly $4,000-$6,000 lower than peer institutions Georgetown, Chicago, and Penn, while offering superior merit scholarship availability (60% of international students receive aid vs. 45-50% at peers).

In global rankings, University of Chicago (ranked 11th) and University of Pennsylvania (ranked 14th) rank higher than Notre Dame (ranked 18th). However, Notre Dame’s emphasis on undergraduate research, small class sizes, and residential integration often results in superior student outcomes relative to larger peer programmes where international economics is embedded within broader economics departments.

Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service is renowned for international affairs training but lacks the mandatory study abroad requirement that enhances Notre Dame’s programme. Boston University’s combined International Relations and Economics track offers flexibility but lower overall prestige. Notre Dame stands out for mandatory study abroad (fulfilling experiential learning requirements), strong merit aid, and tight-knit intellectual community.