St Catharine’s College, Cambridge Economics Camp

Officially Organized
by St Catherine's College, Cambridge
Taught by Cambridge Faculty
Senior economists guiding you through frontier theory and undergraduate core economics
Limited Seats Worldwide
By Invitation Only — exclusively available to Outstanding Award-Winning Students Worldwide
Academic Project & Presentation
Capstone presentation with live tutor evaluation
Cambridge Immersion
Live, learn, and dine at St Catharine’s College
Formal Dinner Experience
Step into centuries of Cambridge academic tradition

Economics Camp – St Catharine’s College, Cambridge
Invitation letter
Dear Student,
The Organising Committee of leading Economics Challenges – ASEEDER, in collaboration with St Catherine’s College, is pleased to offer an exclusive opportunity for outstanding competition awardees to participate in the St Catherine‘s College, Cambridge Economics Camp.
Founded in 1473, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, has built a distinguished academic legacy and is renowned for its strengths in interdisciplinary research and its commitment to cultivating future leaders with innovative thinking. Recognising outstanding performers from internationally recognised academic Olympiads and high-level subject competitions, St Catharine’s College has reached partnership with ASEEDER to offer high level academic camps in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Economics. These camps are open to award recipients of major international competitions, including the British Mathematical Olympiad (BMO), British Physics Olympiad (BPhO), Cambridge Chemistry Challenge (C3L6) & UK Chemistry Olympiad (UKChO), British / American Biology Olympiad (BBO & USABO), International Economics Olympiad (IEO) etc.
The St Catharine’s College, Cambridge Economics Camp will take place every July. Led by Dr Yujiang River Chen, a faculty member in economics at the Cambridge, with the curriculum closely aligned with the official Cambridge undergraduate economics framework. Core modules include Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Economic Data Analysis, and Global Economic Trends. In addition, distinguished Cambridge scholars will be invited as guest speakers to share insights into cutting-edge economic research. Students will experience Cambridge’s distinctive educational approach, engage in in-depth discussions with Cambridge faculty on global economic frontiers, and receive an official Certificate of Completion from St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. The program also provides valuable insights on applying to top universities such as Cambridge, equipping students for future university choices and applications. During the program, students will stay in undergraduate dormitories, dine at St Catharine’s College, and experience the traditions of Cambridge formal dinner, gaining a unique blend of academic and cultural immersion.
Please note that the St Catharine’s College, Cambridge Economics Camp is highly selective, with limited seats exclusively available to award recipients of selective competition.
We hope this invaluable experience will serve as a powerful foundation for your future applications to the world’s leading universities and support you in advancing further along your academic journey in economics.
ASEEDER

Introduction
The St Catharine’s College, Cambridge Economics Camp is committed to offering students worldwide an opportunity to experience rigorous and comprehensive academic programmes at the University of Cambridge. All academic modules are designed and delivered by Cambridge academics. The majority of instructors are distinguished scholars from the University of Cambridge. The programme strives to foster an optimal academic environment, encouraging participants to tackle university-level research projects and nurturing their passion for lifelong learning. To deliver a distinctive premium learning experience, the thoughtfully planned schedule balances academic coursework with a diverse range of excursions.
During the camp, international participants will reside at the scenic St Catharine’s College in central Cambridge. They will learn within the College’s historic brick buildings and benefit from its unrivalled scholarly environment, exploring new intellectual frontiers and broadening their perspectives. Since 2017, ASEEDER has served as the exclusive partner for the St Catharine’s College, Cambridge Economics Camp in China.
Teaching Faculty
* For reference only. Please be subject to the final arrangement of St Catharine's College, Cambridge

Lecturer
Dr. Yujiang River Chen
- Bevil Mabey College Associate Professor and Director of Studies in Economics; Tutor, St Catharine’s College
- Master’s and PhD in Economics, Cambridge University
- Renowned for research on dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models, financial market volatility, and economic policy analysis.
■ Work in progress:
- The Minimum Wage and its Impact on Wage and Employment
- Ecosystem Governance: How Focal Firms Manage Complementors ?
- Agglomeration and Sorting
- Consumer City and the Sharing Economy
Past Guest Lectures:
The Economics Camp of St. Catherine's College, Cambridge will invite some economics scholars from Cambridge University to participate in sharing sessions on various topics.
-
Prof. Peter Tyler
Emeritus Professor, University of Cambridge, Emeritus Professorial Fellow, St Catharine’s College
- Research Interests: Urban and regional economics, with a particular emphasis on the evaluation of policy
- Led Over 70 major UK government policy research projects
- Advisor to the OECD, European Commission and HM Government
- Master of the Royal Town Planning, Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Prof. Simon Taylor
Management Practice Professor in Finance, Judge Business School, Director of the Global EMBA program, University of Cambridge
- Research Interests: Energy and infrastructure finance
- University of Cambridge Pilkington Prize for Teaching; Sandra Dawson Prize for Research Impact (Judge Business School)
- Published history of the British nuclear power industry in 2016
-
Dr. Gabriella Santangelo
Fellow, College Lecturer, Director of Studies, Tutor, St John’s College, Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge
- Research Interests:Development Economics
- Ph.D., Economics, Yale University
- Recipient of multiple international research grants and scholarships; reviewer for leading economics journals
Dr. Vasileios Kotsidis
College Associate Professor, Fellow, and Director of Studies in Economics, Gonville & Caius College, Senior Teaching Associate, University of Cambridge
- Research Interests: (Evolutionary) Game Theory and its potential in accounting for Social Preferences
- Recipient of multiple University of Cambridge teaching awards and scholarships
-
Dr. Pablo Olmos
Bibby College Assistant Professor in Economics, St Catharine’s College
- Research Interests:the relationship between time allocation, income, and economic development.
- Ph.D., Economics, Yale University
- Formerly with Charles River Associates, a leading economic consulting firm, providing expert advisory services on high-profile international antitrust cases
Dr. Mikhail Safronov
University Assistant Professor in Economics, University of Cambridge
- Research Interests:Microeconomic theory
- Ph.D., Economics, Northwestern University
Program Highlights

In-depth Exploration of Economics with Cambridge Faculty Member
Experience undergraduate-level courses covering macroeconomics, microeconomics, and global economic trends, delivered by Cambridge economics faculty member. Guest lecturers will provide insights into cuttingedge research, offering a deep academic perspective and intellectual challenge.
Economic Analysis Presentation
Each student will deliver a final presentation, showcasing their learning.The presentation will be evaluated by the leading faculty and peers.


Accommodation at St Catharine’s College
Founded in 1473, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, is a historic and academically vibrant college located in the heart of Cambridge. Students will stay in college accommodation and experience authentic Cambridge academic life.
Official Certificate of Completion
Receive an official certificate from St Catharine’s College upon completing the program and presentation, providing strong support for future academic and professional development.


Traditional Cambridge Formal Dinner
Participate in Cambridge’s traditional formal dinner—a significant part of academic life—where students and professors gather in formal attire to enjoy fine dining, poetry, and intellectual exchanges.
British Cultural Experience & Visits
Beyond immersive learning, students will experience Cambridge campus life, visit iconic London landmarks, and engage deeply with British culture to broaden their global perspective.

Course Content
* For reference only. Please be subject to the final arrangement of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Macroeconomics
Explore both the theoretical and practical dimensions of macroeconomics, including national income determination, aggregate demand and supply, and theories of economic growth. The program also examines economic fluctuationsand business cycles, as well as international macroeconomics, covering trade, exchange rates, and cross-border capital flows.
Microeconomics
The University of Cambridge’s Economics program is renowned for its rigorous theoretical analysis and deep insight into real-world economic issues. Its microeconomics curriculum covers equilibrium price theory, consumer behaviour, market structures and firm equilibrium, as well as general equilibrium and welfare economics, game theory, and competitive strategy.
Economic Data Analysis
The course focuses on a core methodological foundation in economics—data analysis and its applications. Beginning with an overview of regression and basic statistical theory, it introduces tools such as multiple regression analysis, using economic examples to illustrate practical applications and challenges, and to explore the interaction between statistical techniques and underlying economic models.
Global Economic Trends
and Policy Research
The course explores the dynamic forces shaping the global economy, from resource allocation to the drivers of economic growth. It analyzes the complexities of global liquidity, foreign exchange markets, and cross-border capital flows. By integrating policy research, the module enables students to evaluate how macroeconomic trends influence national strategies and global financial stability in an interconnected world.
Schedule
* For reference only. Please be subject to the final arrangement of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
| Time | 9:00-12:30 | 14:00-17:30 | 19:00 - 20:00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 19th | ARRIVALS | ||
| Mon 20th | Visit University of Oxford | ||
| Tue 21st | Introductions、Microeconomics I | Microeconomics II、Guest Lecture | Individual Project Preparation |
| Wed 22nd | Macroeconomics I&II | Workshops I、Guest Lecture | |
| Thu 23rd | Maths & Stats I、Guest Lecture | Maths & Stats II、Guest Lecture | |
| Fri 24th | Economic Development I&II | WorkshopsII、Guest Lecture | |
| Sat 25th | Economic Policy I&II | Workshops III、Guest Lecture | |
| Sun 26th | Presentations | Punting,Cambrige Visit | Formal Dinner |
| Mon 27th | London Cultural Experience Tour, including visits to the Natural History Museum, the British Museum, and iconic London landmarks. | ||
| Tue 28th | |||
| Wed 29th | DEPARTURE | ||
* The schedule is based on the 2025 program; detailed course information will be announced upon confirmation.
Moments












Testimonials
“So I think I'm actually honestly very impressed with the students because as I said, we prepared materials that are supposed to give them exposure to economics at Cambridge, and they are still much younger than undergraduate students that we get here. But the quality of the interventions, the questions that I get, the answers that I get when I propose a question to students were really impressive. So I think, and it's a very nice selection of students.”
——Dr Pablo Olmos, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge
“This academic camp helped me truly understand the close connection between economics and mathematics. Seeing Cambridge instructors apply mathematical models in class made the importance of quantitative analysis clear. The experience strengthened my determination to apply to Cambridge and helped me identify my gaps, laying a strong foundation for future preparation and interviews.”
——BAI, The Affiliated High School of Peking University
“I had always wanted to experience Europe, and Cambridge fully met my expectations. The teaching was the highlight—lecturers explained concepts step by step, helping me move from a general understanding to a much deeper grasp of economic logic and models. The engaging classroom atmosphere made me enjoy economics even more.”
——GONG, Majestic International College
“I’m thrilled to attend the Cambridge economics camp! Professors Pablos and River Chen gave fresh insights in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics. I realized economics isn’t a ‘liberal arts’ subject—it requires strong mathematical thinking, which completely changed my understanding of the discipline.”
——TANG, Shanghai Experimental Foreign Language School of Puxi Campus
“I gained a lot from this camp. The courses were challenging but eye-opening, with fun practical activities like role-playing as an entrepreneur and calculating GDP. Looking back, my previous studies now feel much easier, and I feel more confident for future exams !”
—WANG, Sino Bright School Chongqing
“So I think I'm actually honestly very impressed with the students because as I said, we prepared materials that are supposed to give them exposure to economics at Cambridge, and they are still much younger than undergraduate students that we get here. But the quality of the interventions, the questions that I get, the answers that I get when I propose a question to students were really impressive. So I think, and it's a very nice selection of students.”
——Dr Pablo Olmos, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge
“This academic camp helped me truly understand the close connection between economics and mathematics. Seeing Cambridge instructors apply mathematical models in class made the importance of quantitative analysis clear. The experience strengthened my determination to apply to Cambridge and helped me identify my gaps, laying a strong foundation for future preparation and interviews.”
——BAI, The Affiliated High School of Peking University
“I had always wanted to experience Europe, and Cambridge fully met my expectations. The teaching was the highlight—lecturers explained concepts step by step, helping me move from a general understanding to a much deeper grasp of economic logic and models. The engaging classroom atmosphere made me enjoy economics even more.”
——GONG, Majestic International College
“I’m thrilled to attend the Cambridge economics camp! Professors Pablos and River Chen gave fresh insights in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics. I realized economics isn’t a ‘liberal arts’ subject—it requires strong mathematical thinking, which completely changed my understanding of the discipline.”
——TANG, Shanghai Experimental Foreign Language School of Puxi Campus
“I gained a lot from this camp. The courses were challenging but eye-opening, with fun practical activities like role-playing as an entrepreneur and calculating GDP. Looking back, my previous studies now feel much easier, and I feel more confident for future exams !”
—WANG, Sino Bright School Chongqing
Application
Dates:
Every July (11 days)
Location:
St Catharine’s College, Cambridge
Eligibility:
aged 16+ before the program starts
Language:
English
Registration Deadline:
Late May annually. Limited places available on a rolling basis until filled.
Scan to sign up
