Students should always follow the program requirements according to the year they started their degree. For more information please visit Previous UNSW Online Handbooks.

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 or statistics or a minor in psychology, 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 the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. In addition, there is the option for students to take 48 UOC of courses from a faculty or faculties other than the Australian School of Business, such as the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of 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

On successful completion of the BEc, students will have the ability to:

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:

The balance of 60 UOC are at the student's discretion, except that at least 12 UOC are to be taken outside the Australian School of Business 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.

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 Australian School of Business or other Faculties within UNSW.


General Education requirements accounts for 12 UOC (2 courses), and are taken in courses outside the Australian School of Business. 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.


Table A Economics Majors:

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 Australian School of Business cannot take General Education courses offered by the Business School. These restrictions also apply to the following courses:

If students are unsure of their General Education Requirements they should contact the Australian School of Business Student Centre (Ground floor, West entrance, Australian School of Business building)

Please note: Students can only study honours in the following areas:

Economics
Econometrics
Financial Economics


Students interested in studying at Honours Level should refer to the relevant Honours stream record for entry requirements.

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.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

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

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 Australian School of Business Student Centre for advice.
tel: + 61 2 9385 3189
location: Ground Floor, West Wing, Australian School of Business Building
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