The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Economics (single major)

Studying Economics, you will understand the way the world works - the stockmarket, national economies, and the world economy.

Introduction

The rise and fall of economies, future employment prospects, incomes and living standards are all at the heart of economics.

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Course description, features and facilities

A major in Economics will prepare you for work in financial institutions, government, international agencies and the private sector as a forecaster, analyst or consultant.

The major includes core subjects in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics provides the framework for analysing issues in taxation, trade and the competitive structure of markets, while macroeconomics focuses on the forces that influence long-term economic growth, inflation, unemployment and the balance of payments.

You will also develop the capacity to understand the fundamental workings of the economy and markets, and implications of economic policy. The Economics major can also be combined with a major in Finance if you are interested in pursuing a career as a financial economist.

This major is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and other in class activities.

A key distinguishing feature of UWA Economics is the background, training and prominence of the staff. They come from many different countries, were trained in some of the best universities in the world and are known internationally for the quality of their work. At UWA, we emphasise the foundations needed to understand the way the economy works, be it Australia, China, the US, or the world as a whole.

Economics is at the forefront of controversial public policy issues such as economic growth and the stability of the entire economy, regulating financial institutions, monetary and fiscal policies, dealing with the so-called "multispeed" Australian economy, resource taxation, financing education, immigration, health insurance markets and retirement income planning. UWA Economics appeals to students looking for a fresh, broad and up-to-date education that opens these many opportunities.

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Student profile

Student profile – Hannah Berdal

Have you ever wondered why exchange rates fluctuate so regularly? Or why central banks change the cost of credit? The study of Economics will give you a real understanding of how and why the world works the way it does, and why the questions of an Economics student are never ending – Economics is the study of every aspect of life.

Economics at UWA has been both challenging and rewarding, and the diverse selection of units on offer not only challenges the way I think about the future of our world, but has helped me to develop my own understanding of the way we operate as a global community. My studies at UWA have helped me to secure a summer position working with economic policy development in Hong Kong.

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Structure

UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.

As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.

You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.

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You may also be interested in…

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Career opportunities

Economics graduates find employment with companies, management consultants, all areas of government, including the Reserve Bank and Treasury, banks and stockbrokers, and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund.

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Further study opportunities

Students can pursue further studies at honours level or undertake a specialist master’s degree such as the Master of Economics.

They can also choose to complete a generalist master’s degree such as the Master of Commerce or Master of Business Administration.

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Check the Entrance requirements

This course is available to Australian and international students.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Additional information
  3. Recommended subjects
  4. English competency
  5. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
80
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
29

Additional information

Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

Recommended subjects

Qualification and recommended subjects
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3A/3B
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods)

English competency

University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).

Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
12
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
60
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
12
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics.
8
Chinese Gao Kao
A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics
525
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
3.17
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
60
International Baccalaureate
A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
29
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
270
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
4.14
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
15.70
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
85
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year.
12
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus
66
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D
63
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics.
8
South African National Senior Certificate
A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics
4.60

These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.

If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.

Advanced standing

Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

This course is available to Australian and international students.

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Information for…
  4. Contact details - admission information

We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.

First semester entry

Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre.

Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Second semester entry

After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA Admissions Centre (M353)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Location
UWA Map
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
Fax
(+61 8) 6488 1226
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9am–4pm

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Fees
  4. Information for…
  5. Contact details - admission information

First semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

You must also:

Second semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

You must also:

Fees

$29110, per year.

This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA International Centre (M352)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
Fax
(+61 8) 9382 4071
Contacts
International Centre
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Location
UWA Map
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
About UWA
Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
Foundation and preparatory courses
There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
Social life on campus
There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.

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Economics (single major): the details

Status
Available 2012
Locations offered
Crawley, Albany (selected Level 1 units)
Attendance types
Part-time, Full-time
Delivery mode
Internal
Starting dates
Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly first year time commitment
12-15 contact hours, plus at least twice as much of your own study time
Standard full-time completion
3 years (BCom), 4 years (BPhil(Hons))
Maximum time to complete
10 years
Degrees (available in)
This major is available in:Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)All majors (except Economics and Biomedical Science double majors, Architecture, Specialist Music Studies and Science Communication) can also be taken as second majors in any of our undergraduate degrees
Honours available
Yes
Contact details: course information
UWA Business School Undergraduate Student Centre
Business School building, Hackett Entrance No 4, off Hackett Drive, Crawley, WA 6009
undergrads-business@uwa.edu.au
Ask UWA
(+61 8) 64882780
Additional information

Footnote links and information

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Last updated
Monday, 8 April, 2013 3:18 PM
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