Bachelor of Economics (Honours)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 3
- Duration
- 1 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 4502
- CRICOS code 085136C
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ATAR/2025 lowest selection rank
- N/A View all admission criteria
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2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $16,500*
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2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $16,500*
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2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $54,500*
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2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $55,500*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
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Research-based program
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Leading academics
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Internship opportunities
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- 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 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.
Key features
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.
Why study at UNSW?
We are ranked Australia's #1 Business School (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Boss, 2024). That means our business education leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation.
Our School of Economics ranks #40 globally for economics and econometrics (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025) received the top research rating by the ERA in Economic Theory, Applied Economics and Econometrics (State of Australian University Research, 2018). 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.
Want to see more from UNSW Business School?
Entry requirements
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.
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- The 2025 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025.
- The 2025 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 2025 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2025 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.
*The Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made, for this program, is based on a UNSW Gateway Early Conditional Offer.
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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.
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.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
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.
What will I study?
Program structure
The Honours program in the School of Economics is designed to be completed in one year.
During this year, students complete coursework (4 courses) at the Honours level, which include Advanced Microeconomic Analysis, Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis, a methods course, and an elective course. These courses build on undergraduate foundations to develop strong analytical skills and lateral thinking that serve students pursuing a wide array of careers.
In addition to coursework, students complete an Honours thesis. The thesis is an independent and original research project completed under the guidance of a supervisor. The thesis is the capstone of the undergraduate and honours degrees, requiring a synthesis of theory, methods, creativity, and effective communication skills.
Find out more information on previous Honours thesis questions and how to identify a research topic and question.
Visit the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) Handbook for detailed information.
Study areas
Economics
Econometrics
Business Economics (under the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours))
Future careers
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.
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Business analyst
Economic forecaster
Graduate economist
Management consultant
Policy adviser
Statistical analyst
Wealth management analyst
Academic in Economics
How to apply
Students are encouraged to submit applications for Term 1 by the first week of December as rolling conditional offers will begin to be made in mid-December. Term 2 and Term 3 entry is typically not recommended but may be allowed in certain cases. Although full-time study is most common and offers advantages, part-time study is possible.
Applications should include:
- a current academic transcript in electronic format
- a 300-600 word thesis proposal,
- a cover letter or statement of purpose highlighting research interests and academic strengths (optional),
- other relevant supporting documents, e.g. awards (optional).
The thesis proposal should identify a specific research question and explain why the question is interesting and important (motivation) and address how the question might be answered (feasibility). The proposal is a starting point for the thesis and may be modified later. Applicants are encouraged to become familiar with faculty members and their research interests and to speak with potential supervisors. Applicants are encouraged but not required to nominate a supervisor.
Ready to start your application?
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.
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 Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025
Crunchbase venture capital start-up data, 2021
I wanted to deeply understand how the world works, so I could contribute to solving key challenges.
