Economics (Honours) - 4502
Program Summary
Faculty: UNSW Business School
Contact: UNSW Business School Student Centre
Campus: Sydney
Career: Undergraduate
Typical Duration: 1 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 48
Domestic Entry Requirements: See Domestic Entry Requirements
International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements
View program information for previous years
Program Description
The Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is a one year advanced undergraduate degree for high-achieving students which may be undertaken upon completion of the requirements of an undergraduate pass degree. A student undertaking this program will complete honours within the economics-related specialisation (major) of their pass degree. The program enables students to expand and deepen their understanding of this discipline and develop highly sought after analytical, problem solving and research skills through undertaking a significant independent research thesis. The program may be a pathway into a PhD. Honours may be completed within the areas of Economics and Econometrics.
Program Benefits:
Competitive advantage, increased employability, attractiveness and worth resulting in more career options - either in academia, business, government or applied research through having:
- advanced analytical and problem solving skills required for specialist careers in business and government
- highly sought after research, project management and communication skills and advanced knowledge of the relevant discipline.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
On completion of the BEc(Hons) students will have the ability to:
- apply a highly developed understanding of the theoretical concepts and body of knowledge in an economics-related discipline to address a research topic.
- reflect critically on existing knowledge, ideas and practice with the relevant field to address a research topic.
- plan and execute a piece of research with some independence.
- communicate research ideas effectively in oral presentations and in writing.
Program Structure
The BEc(Hons) is a 48 UoC degree normally completed over 1 year of study. The 48 UoC consist of:
- 24 UoC (4 courses) of advanced coursework in the relevant discipline
- 24 UoC thesis.
Coursework (24 UoC)
The specific courses to be completed are dependent on the relevant discipline area of the Honours. Both the economics and econometrics stream requires the following courses:
The specific courses to be completed are dependent on the relevant discipline area of the Honours. Both the economics and econometrics stream requires the following courses:
- ECON4100 Advanced Microeconomic Analysis (6 UOC)
- ECON4103 Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis (6 UOC)
plus 2 other courses as detailed in the relevant honours specialisation. For details of these courses, please refer to the relevant discipline stream.
Thesis (24 UoC)
The thesis is an independent and original piece of research which may be empirical or theoretical but usually involves elements of both. The thesis has 24 UoC. The thesis is completed under the supervision of academic(s) within the School of Economics.
In addition to the written thesis, students will be required to give two oral presentations in which they will outline and defend their thesis proposal and their finished research to a group of their peers and relevant School academics.
The thesis will be marked by two independent examiners who are appointed by the discipline Honours Co-ordinator in consultation with the HoS / School Honours Committee. The final thesis mark will normally be the average of the examiners’ recommendations.
Honours Mark and Classes of Honours
The Honours mark for the awarding of the class of Honours is based on the Honours year WAM (i.e. will include all components of the program weighted by their UoC).
Honours will be awarded in the following classes:
Class 1: WAM of 85 and over
Class 2(1): WAM of 75 to less than 85
Class 2(2): WAM of 65 to less than 75
Class 3: WAM of 50 to less than 65
University Medal
An honours student may be nominated for a University Medal in line with the University Medal Policy and University Medal Procedure.
Thesis (24 UoC)
The thesis is an independent and original piece of research which may be empirical or theoretical but usually involves elements of both. The thesis has 24 UoC. The thesis is completed under the supervision of academic(s) within the School of Economics.
In addition to the written thesis, students will be required to give two oral presentations in which they will outline and defend their thesis proposal and their finished research to a group of their peers and relevant School academics.
The thesis will be marked by two independent examiners who are appointed by the discipline Honours Co-ordinator in consultation with the HoS / School Honours Committee. The final thesis mark will normally be the average of the examiners’ recommendations.
Honours Mark and Classes of Honours
The Honours mark for the awarding of the class of Honours is based on the Honours year WAM (i.e. will include all components of the program weighted by their UoC).
Honours will be awarded in the following classes:
Class 1: WAM of 85 and over
Class 2(1): WAM of 75 to less than 85
Class 2(2): WAM of 65 to less than 75
Class 3: WAM of 50 to less than 65
University Medal
An honours student may be nominated for a University Medal in line with the University Medal Policy and University Medal Procedure.
Academic Rules
To be awarded the degree, the BEc(Hons) program must contain:
1. A minimum of 48 units of credit (UoC).
2. A minimum of 24 UoC of coursework.
3. A minimum of 24 UoC of thesis.
Progression rules:
Students are to maintain a course average of 70 or more (and satisfactorily pass any Pass/Fail courses) to continue in the BEc(Hons) program after the end of their first session.
1. A minimum of 48 units of credit (UoC).
2. A minimum of 24 UoC of coursework.
3. A minimum of 24 UoC of thesis.
Progression rules:
Students are to maintain a course average of 70 or more (and satisfactorily pass any Pass/Fail courses) to continue in the BEc(Hons) program after the end of their first session.
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html
Entry Requirements
To be admitted into the BEc(Hons) program, a student must have completed a Bachelors degree with a major in Economics, Econometrics, Business Economics, Financial Economics, or Business Strategy and Economic Management. A student in a dual degree may gain entry to the BEc(Hons) prior to completing the requirements for the dual degree program if they have completed 144 UOC including all requirements for the relevant major.
Students must have completed the equivalent of the following courses to be eligible for entry:
Students must have completed the equivalent of the following courses to be eligible for entry:
- ECON2101 Microeconomics 2
- ECON2102 Macroeconomics 2
plus an econometric course requirement that depends on the specialisation. For details, please refer to the relevant Honours stream.
It is also recommended that a student complete ECON3202 Mathematical Economics, or an equivalent, before commencing the BEc(Hons).
Students who have failed a course within their pass degree will not normally gain entry to the BEc(Hons) program.
A student must have an overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 70 (or equivalent) with a discipline/major WAM of at least 70. Due to the academic requirements of some disciplines and the competitive nature of honours places, the WAM required for entry may be higher. Please refer to the relevant discipline Honours plan for exact details.
The number of students accepted to the BEc(Hons) in a particular discipline is dependent on the availability of supervisors in that discipline. If there are more applicants than a discipline can accommodate, admission will be determined according to students' academic merit.
Full-time and part-time (during 3 semesters) study is available in this program. Mid-year entry to the BEc(Hons) is possible, but is typically recommended only for part-time study.
It is also recommended that a student complete ECON3202 Mathematical Economics, or an equivalent, before commencing the BEc(Hons).
Students who have failed a course within their pass degree will not normally gain entry to the BEc(Hons) program.
A student must have an overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 70 (or equivalent) with a discipline/major WAM of at least 70. Due to the academic requirements of some disciplines and the competitive nature of honours places, the WAM required for entry may be higher. Please refer to the relevant discipline Honours plan for exact details.
The number of students accepted to the BEc(Hons) in a particular discipline is dependent on the availability of supervisors in that discipline. If there are more applicants than a discipline can accommodate, admission will be determined according to students' academic merit.
Full-time and part-time (during 3 semesters) study is available in this program. Mid-year entry to the BEc(Hons) is possible, but is typically recommended only for part-time study.
How to Apply
For detailed instructions and the application form please, refer to the School of Economics Honours website.
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
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
Related Program(s)
3543 Economics
3563 Economics / Science
3564 Economics / Science (Adv Math)
3566 Economics / Science (Adv Sc)
3552 Economics/Arts
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