Bachelor (Honours)
Economics is an influential social science that explores human behaviour and decision-making, with a focus on the roles played by incentives, resource constraints, laws, customs, and institutions.
Economics is an influential social science that explores human behaviour and decision-making, with a focus on the roles played by incentives, resource constraints, laws, customs, and institutions. When you study Economics at UNSW, you'll explore how the decisions of institutions and individuals interact to determine outcomes for the economy and society.
This one-year Honours program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate (pass) degree at UNSW or another institution and want to deepen their expertise to gain a competitive edge. Through a significant research thesis, you will develop analytical, problem-solving and research skills highly sought after in business and government. The Honours degree can act as a springboard to further study and research, such as a PhD.
Develop strong analytical skills and lateral thinking
Undertake advanced coursework that will challenge the way you think and develop highly transferable problem-solving skills
Conduct independent and original research
Discover research that inspires you and synthesize your analytical, creative, and communication skills to create an independent and original research project from start to finish.
Become highly sought after by industry, government, and post-graduate institutions
Acquire a broad set of skills that are in high demand by employers and academic institutions looking for the next generation of bright young scholars and leaders.
UNSW Business School has been ranked the #1 business school in Australia by AFR BOSS for the last two years in a row*. That means our business education leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation.
Our School of Economics ranks in the global top 40 for Economics and Econometrics** and received the top research rating by the ERA in Economic Theory, Applied Economics and Econometrics. You'll have the opportunity to conduct research alongside thought leaders from across the globe, who have diverse expertise in macroeconomics and forecasting, international trade, technology and labour markets, public policy, health economics, development economics, culture and historical institutions, behavioural and experimental economics, decision making theory and applications, market design, political economy, and econometrics and data science.
Our strong industry connections ensure the knowledge, skills, and experience you gain will be relevant and in-demand. Alongside a rigorous education, you'll grow professionally and socially through Career Accelerator networking, mentoring and internship opportunities and diverse student-led societies.
*AFR BOSS 2023 Best Business School Rankings
This degree is open to students that have completed an undergraduate (pass) degree at UNSW or another institution. Entry to the program is competitive and offers are made based on academic merit and availability of supervisors.
A student must have an overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 70 with a discipline/major WAM of at least 70. Students with equivalent degrees, majors and average marks from other universities are eligible to apply. Among recent successful applicants, the median Weighted Average Mark (WAM) across all subjects is 80 and the median WAM in economics subjects is 82.
Typically, applicants will have completed Microeconomics 2, Macroeconomics 2, Mathematical Economics, and a third-year Econometrics course; or the equivalent courses of. Students who have not completed one or more of these courses are still welcome to apply, but successful applicants will typically have completed more math-based courses or have achieved higher WAMs.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Our graduates are highly sought after by both public and private sector employers and by prestigious masters and doctoral program. Employers of our recent graduates include the Reserve Bank of Australia, the NSW and Federal Treasury, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Deloitte Access Economics, BIS Oxford Economics, HustonKemp, McKinsey & Company, Alphabeta, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, and Commonwealth Bank.
Recent graduates have enrolled in PhD programs at MIT, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, Yale, University of British Columbia, Oxford, and the London School of Economics.
Business analyst
Economic forecaster
Graduate economist
Management consultant
Policy adviser
Statistical analyst
Wealth management analyst
Academic in Economics