Bachelor of Economics
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 3 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- UAC code 424400
- Program code 3543
- CRICOS code 001920G
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2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $16,323*
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2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $42,500*
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2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $51,000*
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2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $163,500*
Fees
Fees
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In-demand skills
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Internship opportunities
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Optional majors
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- Double degrees
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
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 the Bachelor of Economics at UNSW, you’ll explore how the decisions of institutions and individuals interact to determine outcomes for the economy and society.
As a graduate of economics, your distinct insights can be applied broadly. Through this degree, you'll gain highly transferable analytical skills that are valuable in a diverse range of careers. In addition to more traditional economic issues like unemployment, taxation, and trade policy, economics allows you to understand and address human challenges like inequality, climate change, corruption, political polarisation, and impediments to education and health care.
Key features
Learn how to change the world
You’ll explore and find solutions to the important issues of our time. Economics uncovers the forces behind global inequality and the drivers of international relations. It explores policymaking and regulation, inflation, property rights, labour markets, our interaction with the environment, firm organisation and competition, and strategic interaction.
Become highly sought after by industry and government
UNSW Economics graduates are keenly sought after by policymakers at all levels of government, private sector employers, not-for-profits, and international organisations. They work in diverse careers as analysts, researchers, forecasters, journalists, and advisors.
Build your expertise
Our flexible program allows you to shape your degree around your interests and goals. Choose from three specialisations in economics, build your own program, or complement your economics studies with other Business and Commerce courses. You can also study this program as a double degree to combine your expertise.
Put theory into practice
You’ll apply your academic learning through practical experience, empowering you to use economics and leadership to change the world. Opportunities for practical experience include internships, group consulting projects, and global practicums.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
We're business leaders
Study Economics at Australia's top business school, UNSW. We lead the way in career impact, quality and reputation. We’re ranked top 20 worldwide^ and have been ranked Australia's #1 Business School*. UNSW Business School is renowned for best-in-class teaching and student outcomes; 1st in Australia for Accounting, Finance, Business, Management and Marketing#.
At the School of Economics, we lead the way, literally. Ranking 1st in Sydney, 3rd in Australia and 37th worldwide for Economics and Econometrics+.
Double your impact with a double degree
Why not study a double degree at UNSW Business School? With a double degree you’ll gain a unique set of skills that will set you apart in the job market. You’ll increase both your specialist skills and employability when you study a double degree.
If you want to combine your interests and carve out a career path that you’re passionate about a double degree is a great way to do that. Double degrees can help you become more of a specialist in a particular area or gain a breadth of skills that meets the demands of today’s organisations.
Plus, a double degree won’t necessarily double your workload or study duration.
Explore Economics double degree combinations below:
- Actuarial Studies
- Advanced Mathematics (Honours)
- Advanced Science (Honours)
- Arts
- Commerce
- Computer Science
- Education (Secondary)
- Law
- Science
Honours program
If you want to stand out from other candidates and give yourself a point of different, consider adding honours study to your degree. With an honour's degree, you’ll complete an independent research project and advanced coursework in the area of business you’re passionate about.
How can studying honours help my career?
1) Develop your research skills: Your honours thesis is an independent research project that combines theory, methods, creativity, and communication skills
2) Deepen your expertise: Honours gives you the opportunity to become an expert in the field of business that interests you the most
3) Advance your career with advanced research, problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills, you’ll stand out in the eyes of employers.
^ QS World University Rankings, 2024
# QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Want to see more from UNSW Business School?
Entry requirements
Entry to this degree is based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or an equivalent rank derived from the following:
- Australian interstate Year 12 qualifications (e.g., OP rank)
- New Zealand NCEA Level 3
- Equivalent overseas qualifications e.g., International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, GCE A-Levels
- Post-secondary or tertiary qualifications
- An alternative entry qualification
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- The 2024 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024.
- The 2024 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
- The 2024 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2024 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
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At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Assumed knowledge
Mathematics Advanced
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Admission pathways
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. 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 you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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.
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
The Bachelor of Economics is a three-year degree program consisting of 24 courses. You can choose from a wide variety of courses according to your interests or focus on a major study area. You’ll be able to study one or two Economics majors choosing from Macroeconomics and Financial Markets, Data Analytics and Econometrics, and Economic Policy and Society, or other Commerce majors including Behavioural Economics.
The program includes:
- Economics core courses
- Introductory Business courses
- Economics elective courses or optional Economics major
- Business electives or the option to pursue a Commerce major or minor
- General education courses from other faculties
Professional development courses and experiences:
- Work Integrated Learning – You can complete up to two for-credit work industry experiences such as an internship or business practicum
- Practical Application – The curriculum is taught with practical application of real-world problems so you can gain a solid grounding in understanding society and business.
Study areas
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- Data Analytics and Econometrics
- Economic Policy and Society
- Macroeconomics and Financial Markets
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- Accounting
- Behavioural Economics
- Business Analytics
- Business Economics
- Business Sustainability and Social Impact
- Cybersecurity Management
- Finance
- FinTech
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- International Business
- Marketing
- Marketing Analytics
- Taxation
- Accounting
What can you do with an economics degree?
Careers in economics are about using data, maths and reason to understand behaviour, improve wellbeing and make a positive impact on people’s lives. With highly transferable skills in analysis, statistics, data, problem-solving and communication, you can move across the private sector, financial institutions, and government departments.
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- Health economist
- Behavioural economist
- Financial economist
- Labour economist
- Macroeconomist
- Credit analyst
- Business analyst
- Financial analyst
- Insurance analyst
- Data analyst
- Policy analyst
- Actuary
- Business reporter
- Economic researcher
- Economic consulting
- Financial consultant
- Financial controller
- Financial services
- Human resource manager
- Investment analyst
- Management consultant
- Market research analyst
UNSW supports career experience while you study
UNSW Business School's Career Accelerator provides work experiences and professional development opportunities to help get you started.
Our degrees include up to two for-credit industry experiences, such as internships or global business practicums. These professional development opportunities complement your studies, build connections to industry, and give you a clear advantage after graduation.
Your opportunities are supported by our industry and alumni networks. As one of Australia’s leading business schools we have strong connections to industry and more than 90,000 alumni worldwide who could be connections to your future career. Not only that, UNSW supports start-ups, with more founders than any other Australian university and over 300+ clubs to find people with complementary skillsets.
Honours
Take your Bachelor of Economics to the next level with an additional one-year Honours degree, where you'll gain advanced knowledge and research skills in your chosen area of business. You'll have the opportunity to be mentored by top-tier researchers and work on industry relevant projects while undertaking a significant research thesis. Graduate with advanced knowledge, analytical, problem-solving and research skills that are highly sought after in business and government. Learn more about Economics Honours.
Accreditation
Depending on your course selection you may meet the education requirement of various professional bodies including Australian Human Resources Institute (Human Resource Management), and Australian Securities and Investment Commission (RG-146) (Finance).
Double degrees
Design your degree to suit your career goals with the flexibility to specialise in up to two different business areas, or a subject outside the UNSW Business School faculty, such as arts or science. With a wide-ranging education, you can strengthen your career opportunities by completing a double degree.
Double degree options:
- Actuarial Studies
- Advanced Mathematics (Hons)
- Advanced Science (Hons)
- Arts
- Commerce
- Computer Science
- Education (Secondary)
- Law
- Science
How to apply
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
Ready to apply?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.
Ready to apply?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 4
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
I wanted to deeply understand how the world works, so I could contribute to solving key challenges.
