Program

Economics - 3543

Program Summary

Faculty: UNSW Business School

Contact:  UNSW Business School Student Centre

Campus: Sydney

Career: Undergraduate

Typical Duration: 3 Years  

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 3

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 144

UAC Code: 424400

Domestic Entry Requirements: See Domestic Entry Requirements

International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements

Award(s):

Bachelor of Economics (Double Major)

Bachelor of Economics (Major)

View program information for previous years

Program Description

The handbook provides you with information on the degree structure you would need to follow for the year you commence your study.

If you are a prospective student researching your study options, please visit UNSW Business School website for more information.


The Bachelor of Economics (BEc) is a highly regarded professional qualification allowing graduates access to an enormously diverse range of occupations. Our graduates work as professional economists and can be found in leading government and international agencies, private firms and consultancies.

Graduates who combine economics with other disciplines, such as accounting, finance or marketing, often work as professionals in those fields, with the economics training providing a highly valued understanding of the business environment.

More broadly, graduates develop analytical skills which have wide applications in business, finance and policy. The knowledge obtained from the degree also enables graduates to become economically literate, with an in-depth understanding of local and world economic issues.

The first year of study provides students with an introduction to economics, along with the foundations of mathematical and statistical analysis for business. Throughout the degree there is an emphasis on applications to contemporary business and economic issues.

The first year of study also allows students to choose the right economics major to suit their interests and career goals. Students have the option to take a second major in economics. Or students may choose from one of the commerce majors, such as accounting or finance. The program is designed so that students can, if they so choose, qualify for professional recognition in accounting.

For detailed information on the professional recognition this degree offers please visit Professional Recognition of Programs in the UNSW Online Handbook.

It is also possible for students to choose a major in mathematics, statistics or psychology, programs offered by the Faculty of Science. The majors in mathematics and statistics are in recognition of the increasingly quantitative nature of modern business and policy contexts, while psychology ties in with the increasing interest in behavioural economics. Reflecting the flexibility offered by the BEc program, students may also take any one of the majors offered by UNSW Arts & Social Sciences. In addition, there is the option for students to take 48 UOC of courses from a faculty or faculties other than the UNSW Business School, such as the UNSW Arts & Social Sciences and the UNSW Science.

The UNSW BEc can be completed in Stand-Alone mode (144 UOC) or in Dual Mode (96 UOC) when taken with the dual mode of another program. Combined ‘dual’ programs with Economics include: Commerce, Arts, Actuarial Studies, Education, Law, Science, Science (Advanced) and Science (Advanced Maths). While the flexibility of the BEc gives students the choice to add breadth in their knowledge and learning, the dual degrees give scope for both depth and breadth

Program benefits:
  • Highly regarded by industry and government
  • Prepares graduates academically, technically and professionally, providing a solid grounding in modern economics analysis
  • Deals with important issues, such as why some countries grow rich and some remain poor, global interactions of nations, the role and impact of economic policy and regulation, unemployment, inflation, property and wealth, firm organisation and competition, decision making and strategic behaviour

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

On successful completion of the BEc, students will have the ability to:
  • demonstrate understanding and application of economic concepts and processes
  • demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • understand, analyse and use quantitative data to assist in making economic and business decisions
  • present complex issues in coherent written statements and oral presentations
  • demonstrate understanding of the global economic context in which business and governments operate
  • understand the social and ethical dimensions in their chosen disciplinary areas

Program Structure

If you are a current student, this new program structure does not apply to you. You should always follow the program requirements according to the year you started your degree. For more information please visit Previous UNSW Online Handbooks.

Studies leading to the award of the Bachelor of Economics degree normally consist of 144 UOC or 24 courses to be completed over three academic years. Of the 144 UOC, 84 UOC or 14 courses must be taken from courses offered by the School of Economics except where other courses are specifically listed.

These 84 UOC need to be made up of:
  • Compulsory first year and second year core courses
  • Major requirements
  • Free electives of courses offered by the School of Economics
The balance of 60 UOC are at the student's discretion, except that at least 12 UOC are to be taken outside the UNSW Business School to meet the General Education requirements. These courses may go towards a major from outside the School of Economics (see below).

Compulsory first and second year core courses account for 48 UOC (8 courses):
Please note: For students intending to complete a major in Mathematics or Statistics, MATH1131 or MATH1141 AND MATH1231 or MATH1241 should be completed instead of ECON1202 and ECON1203. ECON1203 may be substituted by PSYC2001 for those students who also do a major in Psychology.

Major requirements Students must complete at least one major in Economics, Econometrics or Financial Economics consisting of 60 UOC. The 60 UOC includes 36 UOC from the compulsory first and second year core courses. (ACCT1501 and ECON1401 do not count towards a major.) Students must complete at least three (3) level 3 courses (numbered 3XXX).

Students can elect to undertake a second major or where offered, a minor. This second major may be one of the Economics, Econometrics or Financial Economics majors, OR it may be from one of the other approved disciplinary streams (Refer Table B and Table C). If this major is chosen from Table B, then it consists of 48UOC (8 courses), including any relevant courses from the Level 1 core courses. Students should note that the second major or minor may also have some required Level 1 courses so this should be a consideration in selecting additional courses to be taken in your first year of study: refer to specific rules for the majors of interest.

Free electives account for the balance of the degree requirements. These courses may be taken from those offered by the UNSW Business School or other Faculties within UNSW.

GEN coded courses cannot be counted as Free Electives

General Education requirements accounts for 12 UOC (2 courses), and are taken in courses outside the UNSW Business School. These courses allow you to select either courses that were developed especially for the General Education Program (beginning with GEN) or to choose 'mainstream' courses that are offered in the degree programs of other faculties. GEN coded courses cannot be counted as Free Electives


Table A Economics Majors:
  • Economics
  • Econometrics
  • Financial Economics

Table B Other Approved UNSW Business School Majors
  • Accounting
  • Business Law
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Information Systems and Information Technology
  • International Business
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Real Estate Studies
  • Taxation

Table C: Approved Majors from other Faculties
 
Mathematics
European Studies
Statistics
Film Studies
Psychology*
History
Japanese Studies
Indigenous Studies
Chinese Studies
International Relations
Korean Studies
Linguistics
French Studies
Media, Culture and Technology
German Studies
Music & Music Education
Spanish and Latin American Studies
Politics
Asian Studies
Sociology and Anthropology
Criminology
Theatre and Performance Studies
Dance
Art History and Theory (College of Fine Arts) (minor only)
Development Studies
Creative Writing
 
English
Women's and Gender Studies (minor only)
Environmental Studies
 
Indonesian Studies (minor only)
 
 

* The completion of this major would entail the completion of 1-2 additional courses on top of that required for the 144UOC degree.

Language Studies for Commencing Mid-Year Students

If your language skills are assessed as Level A in Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced or Professional you cannot commence study until Semester 1.

Click here to view the Progression Plan for your degree program

General Education Requirements

Students in this program must complete 12 UOC in General Education courses or their equivalent (unless otherwise entitled to exemption). For further information about General Education Requirements please refer to the UNSW Online Handbook.

Please note that students enrolled in programs within the UNSW Business School cannot take General Education courses offered by the UNSW Business School. These restrictions also apply to the following courses:
  • GENL2015 The World of Work
  • GENL2021 An Introduction to the Australian Legal System
  • GENL2032 Cyberspace Law 2.0
  • GENL5021 Business Law Basics
If students are unsure of their General Education Requirements they should contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre (Level 1, room 1028, Quadrangle Building)

Honours

High achieving students should consider applying to the Honours program BEc (Hons) 4502. For information on Honours in Economics students may also refer to the School of Economics Honours information page.

Academic Rules

Please refer to the Program Structure for the academic requirements relating to this program.
Rules relating to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Economics shall apply wherever relevant.
Students are advised to consult the Academic Rules for further information.

Fees

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

Professional Recognition

For further information, refer to the Professional Recognition of Programs in the UNSW Online Handbook.

Further Information

Please note that these requirements may be subject to change. Students should always follow the program requirements according to the year they started their degree. For more information please visit Previous UNSW Online Handbooks

Contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre for advice.
tel: + 61 2 9385 3189
location: Level 1, room 1028, Quadrangle Building
Forms, policies and procedures
Frequently asked questions

Area(s) of Specialisation