Content Curator | Updated on - Apr 8, 2026

The M.Sc + M.A. Economics Dual Degree Program at NMIMS Mumbai's Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics (SAMSOE) is India's first dual degree master's program in Economics, offered in collaboration with Virginia Tech University, USA. The program spans 2 years (4 semesters) – the first year is completed at NMIMS Mumbai and the second year at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. Upon successful completion, students are awarded two degrees: M.Sc. Economics from NMIMS and M.A. Economics from Virginia Tech. The program is full-time and offered exclusively at the Mumbai campus, with a seat intake that commences only if a minimum of 10 eligible candidates are admitted. The program fee for Batch 2025 was Rs. 3,15,000 for the first year at NMIMS (fees for Batch 2026 will be declared at the time of admission), while the second year at Virginia Tech involves additional tuition fees as applicable for out-of-state students. This program is highly popular among students seeking an international exposure in economics, data analytics, and research-oriented careers.

Admissions for Batch 2026-28 are currently open. The last date for online registration is 30th April 2026. The written test and personal interview are scheduled for 15th May 2026, and the program is set to commence on 13th July 2026.

Key Points

India's first dual degree master's program in Economics, in collaboration with Virginia Tech University, USA – a globally recognized research institution.
Students earn two internationally recognized degrees: M.Sc. Economics (NMIMS) and M.A. Economics (Virginia Tech).
The M.A. program at Virginia Tech is anticipated to be STEM-certified, offering Optional Practical Training (OPT) of up to 3 years in the USA.
Curriculum is designed for new-age demands: Big Data Economics, Behavioral Economics, Computational Finance, and Business Forecasting.
Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in Year 1 at NMIMS to qualify for the Virginia Tech component; students who do not meet this threshold may continue for the M.Sc. Economics degree from NMIMS alone.
Admission is purely merit-based through a written test and personal interview conducted by NMIMS and Virginia Tech.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

NMIMS M.Sc + M.A. Economics Fees

The program fee for the first year (at NMIMS Mumbai) for Batch 2025 was Rs. 3,15,000. Fees for Batch 2026 will be declared at the time of admission. The second year at Virginia Tech involves separate tuition fees applicable for out-of-state international students, which are determined by Virginia Tech and are subject to change annually. Students should budget for living expenses, travel, and accommodation in the USA for the second year in addition to the NMIMS fees.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Program Fees – Year 1 at NMIMS (Batch 2025, for reference)	Rs. 3,15,000
Registration Fee (Non-refundable)	Rs. 2,500
Program Fees – Year 2 at Virginia Tech (out-of-state tuition, USD)	As per Virginia Tech rates (approx. USD 15,000–17,000 per year)
Hostel Fees – NMIMS Mumbai (Optional)	Rs. 2,50,000 – Rs. 3,50,000 per year (approx.)
Total Fees – Year 1 at NMIMS (approx.)	Rs. 3,17,500

Program fees for Batch 2026 (Year 1 at NMIMS) will be officially declared at the time of admission.
Virginia Tech tuition fees for out-of-state students for Fall 2026 are available at: https://www.bursar.vt.edu/tuition-fee-rates/tuition-fees.html
Hostel at NMIMS Mumbai is optional and not included in the total fees above.
Refund rules follow UGC norms.
Candidates must upload a cancellation form for withdrawal.
Registration fee of Rs. 2,500 is non-refundable and non-transferable.

NMIMS M.Sc + M.A. Economics Admission 2026

Admissions for the M.Sc + M.A. Economics Dual Degree Program (Batch 2026-28) are currently open at NMIMS Mumbai. The selection process involves an offline written test and a personal interview conducted jointly by NMIMS and Virginia Tech. Candidates are shortlisted purely on merit, and the program commences in July 2026.

Admission Dates

Sr. No.	Event	Date
1	Online Registration Opens	24th February 2026
2	Last Date of Online Registration	30th April 2026
3	Call Letters Available	5th May 2026
4	Document Upload Deadline for Written Test and PI	8th May 2026
5	Written Test and Personal Interview	15th May 2026
6	Merit List I Declaration (after 5:00 PM)	22nd May 2026
7	Document Upload and Fee Payment – Merit List I	23rd May – 29th May 2026
8	Merit List II Declaration (if required, after 5:00 PM)	5th June 2026
9	Document Upload and Fee Payment – Merit List II	6th June – 12th June 2026
10	Program Commencement	13th July 2026
11	Closure of Admission / Last Date of Admission	29th July 2026

Note: This program does not accept CAT/NMAT/GMAT scores. Admission is through NMIMS's own written test and personal interview.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidate must be a graduate in any stream from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
Candidate must have passed Mathematics or Statistics at the 10+2 level AND at the graduation level.
Final year students awaiting results may also apply; provisional admission will be given, subject to submission of final marksheet by 30th September 2026.

Admission Process

Register online at www.nmims.edu and pay the non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 2,500.
Upload required documents (10th marksheet, 10+2 marksheet, graduation marksheet/certificate) by 8th May 2026.
Appear for the offline Written Test (1 hour, 80 marks MCQ) covering Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and General Awareness.
Appear for the Personal Interview (20 marks) conducted jointly by NMIMS and Virginia Tech.
Final merit list is prepared based on Written Test + Personal Interview scores.
Selected candidates must accept/reject the offer online, upload documents, and pay fees within the stipulated timeline.
Candidates who do not achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in Year 1 at NMIMS will not qualify for the Virginia Tech component but may continue for the M.Sc. Economics degree from NMIMS.

NMIMS M.Sc + M.A. Economics Scholarships 2026

NMIMS offers merit-based and need-cum-merit scholarships for eligible students. The university's scholarship policy is merit-driven, and no capitation fees or agent-based admissions are involved. Students may also explore external scholarships and education loans facilitated through NMIMS.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount / Benefit
NMIMS Merit Scholarship	Based on academic performance in the program	Up to 100% tuition fee waiver (subject to criteria)
Need-cum-Merit Scholarship	Financial need + academic merit	Partial fee waiver (amount varies)
Education Loan Assistance	All admitted students	Facilitated through partner banks; details at www.nmims.edu/education-loan
Virginia Tech Assistantships / Fellowships	Based on academic performance in Year 1	Available at Virginia Tech for eligible students (subject to VT norms)

Scholarship details for Batch 2026 will be declared at the time of admission.
Students are encouraged to check the NMIMS website and the Virginia Tech financial aid portal for updated scholarship information.
Refund of fees in case of withdrawal follows UGC norms.

NMIMS M.Sc + M.A. Economics Placement 2026

The M.Sc. Economics program at NMIMS SAMSOE has a strong placement record, with the dual degree program being relatively new and primarily attracting students interested in research, analytics, and international careers. The broader M.Sc. Economics program at SAMSOE has consistently achieved strong placements, with top recruiters from finance, consulting, and research sectors. Students from the dual degree program often pursue further studies or research roles in the USA after completing their Virginia Tech year.

Placement Metrics

Metric	M.Sc. Economics (2020-21)
Highest CTC	Rs. 10,00,000 per annum
Average CTC	Rs. 7,14,286 per annum
Total Students	24
Students Opting for Placement	17
Students Placed	14

Top Recruiters: Crisil, Morgan Stanley, MSCI, Edelweiss, General Mills, Kantar, Nielsen, Nomura, EY, PwC, Duff and Phelps, JP Morgan, Barclays, Third Bridge, Multi-Act.

Placement data specific to the M.Sc + M.A. dual degree program is not separately published as the program is relatively new.
The above data is for the broader M.Sc. Economics program at SAMSOE.

NMIMS M.Sc + M.A. Economics FAQs

Ques. Is the M.Sc + M.A. Economics dual degree program at NMIMS recognized in India and abroad?

Ans. Yes. The M.Sc. Economics degree is awarded by NMIMS Deemed to be University, which is a recognized university under UGC. The M.A. Economics degree is awarded by Virginia Tech, a globally ranked public research university in the USA. Both degrees are internationally recognized. The M.A. program at Virginia Tech is anticipated to be STEM-certified, which allows eligible students to apply for up to 3 years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA.

Ques. What happens if I do not achieve the required CGPA of 3.0 in Year 1 at NMIMS?

Ans. Students who do not achieve a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in Year 1 at NMIMS will not qualify for the Virginia Tech component of the dual degree. However, they will have the option to continue in Year 2 at NMIMS SAMSOE and complete the M.Sc. Economics degree from NMIMS alone.

Ques. What are the living and accommodation costs at Virginia Tech for the second year?

Ans. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. Living costs including accommodation, food, and personal expenses typically range from USD 12,000 to USD 18,000 per year for international students, in addition to the tuition fees. Students should plan their finances accordingly before applying.

Ques. Does this program accept CAT, NMAT, or GMAT scores for admission?

Ans. No. Admission to the M.Sc + M.A. Economics Dual Degree Program is through NMIMS's own offline written test and personal interview. CAT, NMAT, GMAT, or any other external exam scores are not accepted for this program.

Ques. What is the minimum intake for this program to commence?

Ans. The program will commence only if a minimum of 10 eligible candidates are admitted after the selection process. If the minimum intake is not met, the batch may not be started for that year.

Ques. Can I apply if I have a non-economics graduation background?

Ans. Yes. The program is open to graduates from any stream, provided they have passed Mathematics or Statistics at both the 10+2 and graduation levels and have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in graduation. The written test includes sections on Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, and General Awareness, so a strong quantitative background is beneficial.