Future Students

Economics

The rise and fall of economies, future employment prospects, incomes and living standards are all at the heart of economics.  In a number of countries, elections are won or lost on the basis of economics issues such as taxation, debt or deficits.  The study of economics provides insights into these issues that are important for understanding the way the world works, as well as for careers in business and government.  Economics is the discipline that helps society make the best use of resources so that we can maximise living standards on a sustainable basis.

The Bachelor of Economics is concerned with the whole economy: all firms and organisations, exports and imports, resources and government finance, as opposed to a Commerce degree which is more concerned with the efficient and profitable running of individual firms.

Course Requirements

Level 1
The first year of the Bachelor of Economics, consists of eight units, of which three are core units:

Microeconomics: Prices and Markets
Macroeconomics: Money & Finance
Economic and Business Statistics

The remaining level 1 units can be options and/or electives from the Business School or any other faculty.  They may also be prerequisites for units/majors to be studied in later years.

Levels 2 and 3
At least one major sequence of at least six units must be studied during the course.  Many students choose to complete two majors in order to increase the breadth of their knowledge and their value to prospective employers.

There is a major in economics available within the Bachelor of Arts, and the following majors are available in the Bachelor of Economics:

• Economics
• Economic History
• Employment Relations
• International Business Economics
• Money and Banking
• Quantitative Economics

Career opportunities

Economics is a broad degree offering scope to specialise in economics, or to develop a range of business-related skills.  Graduate career paths include work as a stockbroker, investment and financial analyst, project and research officer, banker, statistician, personnel officer, economic analyst or economist.  Employers may include financial institutions, large multinational companies, consulting firms, or federal and state treasuries.