2027 UK Placement Programme (London, Belfast & Oxford)
Oxford EconomicsOxford Economics is the world's foremost independent economic advisory firm. We have a fantastic opportunity for hard-working 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, Tourism Economics, and Transport / Construction.
The Programme
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.
The Role
Placement positions are available in the following areas of the business:
Macro Forecasting & Analysis (London)
Using the Oxford Economics Global Economic Model, the Macro Forecasting & 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, alongside 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.
Cities & Regions (London & Belfast)
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 & Regions 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.
Global Industry (London)
Our team comprises economists who are each focused on a particular sector, such as energy generation and renewables, across the countries that we cover.
The role of the placement student 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 responsibility, including forecasting some smaller macroeconomic countries, while continuing to support economists with detailed analytical work. The placement student is assigned a sector to forecast each quarter and contributes write-ups on their sector to our monthly and quarterly publications.
Our commodities team is also supported on a monthly basis by the placement student. The Industry team is involved in a number of regular and bespoke consultancy projects for large industrial firms and trade associations, and placement students typically assist with report writing and analysis. Previous placement students have made significant contributions to our flagship Global Construction reports and have been cited within publications, while others have written front-page pieces for our monthly reports.
Scenarios & Macro Modelling (London)
Our Scenarios & Macro Modelling 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, the team supports our Global Scenarios and Climate Services while also delivering 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 & Macro Modelling team, you will gain broad exposure to economic consulting and modelling work. Most of the team’s projects involve working with the Oxford Economics Global Economic Model (GEM), one of the world’s leading large-scale commercial macroeconomic models, to develop bespoke scenarios.
You will be given more responsibility as you develop your skills and knowledge. By the end of the year, students will typically be able to support the production of macroeconomic scenarios. Scenarios are an important tool in helping clients understand the potential economic impacts of real-world events, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and application of economics to real-world questions.
Macro Consulting (Belfast)
Our Belfast team specialises in applied macroeconomic consulting and research, helping clients navigate uncertainty and make strategic decisions. Alongside tailored scenario projects, the team produces thought-leadership analysis on topical global issues, positioning clients at the forefront of industry and policy debates. This work combines strong economic expertise with the ability to communicate insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
The team’s placement student will assist with the production of research, taking more responsibility as the year progresses. Research topics which placement students have contributed to or led on in the past have included producing cross-country indicators of financial conditions, assessing countries’ fiscal positions post-COVID, and analysing the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on countries’ terms of trade. Students also have the chance to produce country economic forecasts and write associated reports, alongside responsibilities in recurring weekly and monthly projects.
Economic Impact (London)
We show the social, environmental and economic impact of our clients’ activities and help communicate these findings to key stakeholders. Our work ranges from in-depth modelling and quantification of the effects of economic policy changes for governments to detailed assessments of the economic footprint of companies within particular communities.
As part of this role, you will have the opportunity to assist team members across a wide range of projects. The tasks undertaken will vary according to the nature of each project and may include economic research, data analysis, modelling and contributing to client reports.
Economic Footprint (London)
Our London-based Economic Footprint & Sustainability team supports clients in addressing the economic and policy challenges of climate change and the transition to net zero. The team applies Oxford Economics’ modelling tools and sector expertise to assess the costs, opportunities and wider 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 your responsibilities adapting to the specific requirements of each project. This may include data analysis, economic research, modelling and contributing to client-facing reports and presentations.
Tourism Economics (London & Belfast)
Tourism Economics is an Oxford Economics company dedicated to forecasting and analytical consulting in the tourism sector. We combine an understanding of the travel sector with proven economic tools to answer the most important questions facing our clients. Our work ranges from tracking, modelling and forecasting travel-sector performance, to quantifying the economic impact of visitors, events and destination marketing, to conducting policy and market analysis and bespoke research. We provide quarterly updated global forecasts to clients covering 185 countries and over 300 cities, consistent with the economic outlook for origins and destinations.
This position offers the chance to collaborate with the wider team on diverse projects, with tasks changing depending on each project’s scope and objectives. Placement students may contribute to forecasting, research, data analysis and consulting work across tourism markets and destinations.
Transport / Construction (London)
Our Transport and Construction team provides economic analysis, forecasting and advisory support across the transport, infrastructure and construction sectors. The team combines detailed sector knowledge with Oxford Economics’ economic forecasts and modelling capabilities to help clients understand market demand, assess investment opportunities and risks, and evaluate the outlook for major infrastructure and construction projects. Our work covers areas including transport infrastructure, residential and non-residential construction, engineering activity, market capacity and the economic drivers shaping future demand.
As a placement student, you will support economists across a range of forecasting, research and consulting projects. This may include analysing economic and industry data, contributing to forecasts and reports, researching market developments and assisting with bespoke client work. Over the course of the year, you will gain greater responsibility and practical experience applying economic analysis to real-world questions across the transport and construction sectors.
Data Team (Oxford)
Our Oxford-based Data team supports the development, management and delivery of the economic data that underpins Oxford Economics’ forecasting, research and client services. The team works with large and complex datasets, helping to ensure that economic information is accurate, consistent and accessible across our models, products and analytical tools. The work combines economic understanding with data analysis and technology, including the use of programming and data-management techniques to improve processes and support the delivery of high-quality economic insight.
As a placement student, you will work alongside the team on a range of data-focused projects, supporting the collection, processing, validation and analysis of economic datasets. You will have the opportunity to develop practical experience working with large datasets and analytical tools, while building your understanding of how economic data is used across forecasting, modelling and research at Oxford Economics. Experience with tools such as Excel, R, Python, Stata or EViews would be particularly relevant to the role.
Training Opportunities
Placement Students will have the opportunity to partake in a diverse range of training opportunities, including formal training sessions designed to support you in reaching your professional and personal development goals. You will be supported by comprehensive training on the unique technical and business skills needed to handle economics projects, forecasts, and research.
Other training helps you to hone your communication, project management, presentation, and advanced econometric and Excel skills. This training will be delivered via short courses, on-the-job training, and a group project.
Your first few weeks at Oxford Economics will include a carefully curated schedule of training with leading economists, HR professionals, marketing, and program alumni. You will learn more about the work of all of the teams across Oxford Economics and get practical training on topics such as:
- Using the Oxford Economics Global Economic Model
- Haver, Power BI and Tableau
- Econometrics applications
- Data tools
- Writing skills
The Working Environment
Although a large global organisation with more than 700 staff in total, we strive to retain the best features of our original start-up environment. We cultivate entrepreneurial thinking by supporting staff to pursue opportunities and map their own career paths. This means an informal but hard-working culture. We offer a hybrid working model for our graduates, with three days in the office and two days from home.
With more than 20 offices around the world, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests on a global scale. As well as working hard, we encourage employees to volunteer in the community. There are regular social events and staff parties, and more informal lunchtime and evening activities, often organised by individuals.
Requirements
Oxford Economics’ Industrial Placement program is for high-achieving University students with studying economics who want to apply their understanding of economics to real world issues. You must be able to put together logical economic arguments and explain them convincingly to economists and non-economists alike. You will need to be a fast learner with strong analytical skills and keen attention to detail. You should be comfortable meeting tight deadlines and working under your own initiative.
Successful candidates are highly numerate and have excellent technical skills. They work well with others, take responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work, and demonstrate a creative approach to problem-solving. The ability to communicate clearly and concisely is essential, as is fluency in English.
We welcome applications from those who meet the following requirements:
- studying Economics or other 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
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.
If you are applying for the Placement Programme based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, please download the Fair Employment Monitoring Form from the Documents section of this page, complete it, and upload the completed form with your application.
If you are applying for the Placement Programme based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, please download the Fair Employment Monitoring Form from the Documents section of this page, complete it, and upload the completed form with your application.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting from Monday 28th September 2026, so we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible for consideration. 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.