Bachelor of Economics

Why study the Bachelor of Economics with UNE?:

• Our Bachelor of Economics is a versatile qualification that is relevant and valuable in an ever-changing employment landscape. If you are interested in economics, commerce, business and finance, and enjoy problem solving and critical thinking, this is the degree for you. Through the core units, you will examine the way in which modern economies trade and grow, the role of prices, supply and demand, and how business and government both affect and are affected by the economy.
• Social responsibility, ethical decision making, and environmental and business sustainability are incorporated throughout this degree. You will hone your analytical skills to critically analyse, interpret, construct and communicate economic and social data with an emphasis on economic decision making.
• UNE is an industry leader in the provision of online lifelong learning for aspiring and qualified economists. In fact, students consistently award UNE the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.

Course information

• The world's economies, living standards, commercial and political systems are at the heart of the study of economics. Economics involves weighing up choices and alternatives and seeing how they impact upon businesses, societies and individuals. By applying quantitative analysis to current issues and trends, economists can develop and model scenarios to predict possible results and make recommendations on how to respond to produce the best outcomes.
• You will look at how modern economies operate - how they trade and grow, the role of prices, supply and demand, and how business and government both affect and are affected by the economy. The insights economists provide allow organisations and individuals to plan and make better decisions for the future.
• You will develop analytical skills to enable you to consider both quantitative and policy-based economic issues - practical skills and knowledge that can be then adapted to a range of careers.

What makes our course different?
Our flexible and highly-regarded degree allows you to complement your economic studies with units in law, marketing or management, or strengthen the quantitative aspects of your degree by selecting units in maths, statistics or computer science. With our course, you have options to:

• Work independently to solve economic problems in the context of current events.
• Focus on enhancing your written and verbal communication skills to present your message in a clear and persuasive manner to colleagues, clients and other stakeholders.
• Choose to complete either one or two majors.
• Select electives from units offered anywhere across the university, allowing you the flexibility to tailor your studies to meet your career goals and personal interests.
• Capitalise on UNE’s expertise in agricultural, environmental and resource economics by selecting the major in Environmental Analysis and Policy.
• Experience campus life by studying on campus in Armidale or study online to balance your studies with your other commitments. You can complete your degree in three years full time or spread your studies over up to 10 years part time.
• You can also choose to progress to the Bachelor of Economics with Honours or exit with a Diploma in Business if you don’t complete the full course but do satisfy the requirements of that program.

Majors

• Applied Econometrics
• Economics
• Economic Development
• Environmental Analysis and Policy

Course structure
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level; and at least 36 credit points at 300-level.

Core Units

48 credit points
Complete the following units:

• Introductory Microeconomics (ECON101) – 6 credit points
• Introductory Macroeconomics (ECON102) – 6 credit points
• Australian Economic Institutions and Performance (ECON143) – 6 credit points
• Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON201) – 6 credit points
• Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON202) – 6 credit points
• Quantitative Skills with Applications (MTHS110) – 6 credit points
• Business Statistics (QM161) – 6 credit points
• Introduction to Business Analytics (QM162) – 6 credit points

Approved Majors
Complete either ONE Major to the value of 36 credit points with at least 24 credit points at 300-level

or

Complete TWO Majors to the value of 72 credit points with at least 24 credit points for each Major at 300-level from the following:

• Applied Econometrics
• Economics
• Economic Development
• Environmental Analysis and Policy

Elective Units
Complete 24 to 60 credit points depending on whether candidates undertake ONE or TWO Majors.

• Elective Units can be selected from any unit offered by the University subject to candidates meeting overall course requirements and prerequisite and timetabling requirements for individual units.

Your career
Career outcomes

• UNE’s Bachelor of Economics provides you with the economic knowledge, and strong analytical and quantitative skills you need in a wide variety of professional careers. 

You could consider a broad range of careers including: 

• Economic modeller  
• Policy officer or analyst 
• Financial manager or forecaster for banks, insurance and agribusiness firms  
• Commodities or futures trader  
• Economic adviser  
• Importer/exporter. 

Course aims

• The Bachelor of Economics aims to produce professional graduates with the knowledge, skills and attributes required for problem solving and economic decision making across a diverse range of economic issues. This degree provides students with a strong economic and quantitative background that allows them to explore a variety of professional career options.

Learning outcomes

• Identify, coherently explain and synthesise disciplinary concepts to economic issues;
• Apply economic reasoning and analytical skills, in order to make informed judgements and decisions;
• Reflect on the nature and implications of assumptions and value judgements in economic analysis and policy;
• Use quantitative data to critically analyse economic issues and understand their role in economic and business decision-making and policy decisions; and
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and oral communication skills required at a professional level.

Graduate attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

• In this course students develop advanced knowledge in the areas of economics and econometrics through lectures, tutorials, readings, online activities, practical experience and interaction with unit coordinators. A global perspective is important in understanding the current challenging issues confronting the economy in a continuously changing environment. Knowledge will be assessed through a variety of assessment tasks such as assignments, examinations and report writing.

Communication Skills

• Communication skills are essential in this course and students will develop both written and oral competency. These communication skills will be taught, practised and assessed in numerous activities including written assignments, report writing based on professional workplace experience, oral presentations, in-class and online discussions.

Problem Solving

• Students will combine discipline knowledge with information literacy skills to develop their adeptness in being able to apply critical thinking to identify problems and to formulate solutions, particularly through the application of advanced discipline knowledge to real-world issues.

Information Literacy

• Students will use various forms of media to obtain information and data for written assignments and other assessment tasks. Students will be able to use, critically analyse, interpret, construct and communicate economic and quantitative data, with an emphasis on economic decisionmaking and policy applications.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

• Students are taught numerous dimensions of social responsibility in relation to economic decision making. Students will be able to acknowledge and respect the viewpoints and ideas of others, behave ethically and appreciate the importance of the environment and sustainability.

Lifelong Learning

• Lifelong learning skills are taught and practised in assessment tasks. The discipline knowledge, information literacy and problem solving skills obtained in this course equip students with the ability to understand, interpret and critically evaluate regional, national and international economic issues. Students have the opportunity to undertake independent research and gain experience in oral seminar presentations.

Independence and Collaboration

• Students will have worked independently, as well as collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group to achieve common goals, solve problems, contribute specialist knowledge and contribute to group performance.