Master of Economics

Economists provide these insights and influence decisions about how to prioritise actions and allocate resources in a continuously changing environment. UNE's Master of Economics is perfectly positioned to build your expertise and hone your analytical skills to solve today’s economic challenges and advance your career.

Economics influences almost every aspect of business, government and society. Policy makers and leaders in all organisations need to understand the economics interactions of global political and commercial systems, whilst considering living standards, and resource and environmental constraints.

Why study the Master of Economics with UNE?

• If you’re passionate about economic development, agricultural and resource economics, or efficiency and productivity analysis, our Master of Economics will deepen your skills and knowledge in the field of economics. You can choose to expand your current knowledge of economics or diversify your expertise into an area you have not previously studied.
• This course is for you if you hold a bachelor degree with a relevant major or a graduate diploma in a relevant discipline and want to expand your knowledge. It will also suit you if you have a degree in an area unrelated to economics and wish to develop specialised knowledge and skills in this field.
• Our staff have research and teaching strengths in economics, agricultural and resource economics, applied econometrics and economic history. We also have a strong record of cross-disciplinary research. Our goal is to produce evidence-based analysis of practical significance. In apply our disciplinary skills, we seek to deliver solid, commercial and sustainable benefits to our regional, national and global stakeholders.
• Students consistently award UNE 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support, so whether you study online or on campus, when you choose UNE, you are in good hands.

What makes our course different?
Our flexible Master's degree by coursework puts you in control of your studies. You will have the opportunity to:

• Progress through the general program or target your studies by completing a major in agricultural and resource economics, economic development, economics or efficiency and productivity analysis.
• Choose from a range of units within your major or the general program to focus your study on topics of interest and relevance to you.
• Complete a combination of coursework and independent research to hone your research skills and build on your expertise in the direction that is most relevant to your work and career goals.
• Undertake research and complete a dissertation if you achieve an overall grade point average of 5 (credit grade) throughout your coursework. This will allow you to consider progressing to higher degree research studies.
• Choose between full-time and part-time studies so you can either fast-track your Master's degree or spread the workload over up to six years part-time.
• Study on campus in Armidale or study online to take advantage of UNE's proven expertise in distance education for experienced professionals.
• Complete an overseas study tour during your course.
• Receive advanced standing if you have a bachelor qualification with a major in a relevant discipline or hold a graduate diploma in a relevant discipline.
• Exit with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Economics or Graduate Diploma in Economics if you choose not to complete the full course at a stage where you satisfy the requirement of either of those courses.

Majors

• Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Economics
• Economic Development
• Efficiency and Productivity Analysis
• General Program

Course structure
To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (a) shall complete units to the value of 96 credit points including not more than 18 credit points at 100-level, not more than 18 credit points at 200-level, not more than 24 credit points at 300/400-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.

• To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (b) shall complete units to the value of 96 credit points including not more than 18 credit points at 300/400-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.
• To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (c) shall complete units to the value of 96 credit points including not more than 12 credit points at 300/400-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.

Rule A
96 credit points
For candidates admitted under Rule (a)

• Rule A - Core Units
• Rule A - Research Unit Option 1 (Capstone Project)
• Rule A - Research Unit Option 2 (Dissertation)
• Rule A - Approved Majors or General Program

Rule B
96 credit points
For candidates admitted under Rule (b)

• Rule B - Advanced Standing
• Rule B - Core Units
• Rule B - Research Units Option 1 (Capstone Project)
• Rule B - Research Units Option 2 (Dissertation)
• Rule B - Approved Majors or General Program

Rule C
96 credit points
For candidates admitted under Rule (c)

• Rule C - Advanced Standing
• Rule C - Core Units
• Rule C - Research Units Option 1 (Capstone Project)
• Rule C - Research Units Option 2 (Dissertation)
• Rule C - Listed Units (General Program)

Career outcomes
You will graduate from UNE’s Master of Economics with advanced skills in economic analysis, economic and social policy development, project management and policy evaluation. This will give you career opportunities in government and non-government organisations, including positions such as:

• Economist
• Policy analyst
• Researcher
• Project officer
• Consultant.

If you achieve strong results and perform well in the research component, you could proceed to a doctoral program in economics and pursue an academic or research career.

Course aims

• This course can provide a formal advanced-level qualification in the field of economics for graduates who hold at least an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification. It is also a broadening course for those who wish to extend their knowledge of economics into areas not previously studied such as Economic Development and Agricultural and Resource Economics. This is a program that can be pursued through a combination of coursework and independent research so that you can develop research skills and expertise that are relevant to your work and career goals. Finally, it can be a qualifying step towards higher studies, particularly the PhD in Economics program.

Learning outcomes

• Identify, coherently explain and synthesise core and advanced economic concepts, including recent developments in the discipline;
• Frame and critically analyse problems in terms of core and advanced economic concepts and principles, apply advanced economic reasoning and analytical skills, including quantitative techniques where appropriate, in order to make informed judgements and decisions, and plan and execute a research-based project;
• Use advanced quantitative economic analytical methods to select and apply an appropriate empirical method to address typical problems faced by economists, and critically evaluate the results;
• Reflect on and evaluate: the nature and implications of assumptions and value judgments in economic analysis and policy; interactions between economic thinking and economic events, both historical and contemporary; the responsibilities of economists and their role in society; and
• Communicate complex ideas clearly and coherently, in written form and interactive oral form to expert and non-expert audiences, individually or in collaborative contexts.

Graduate attributes

• Knowledge of a Discipline-The course will provide students with an opportunity to learn core concepts in economics, agricultural and resource economics, economic development and efficiency and productivity analysis. These concepts will be taught through lectures, readings and online components and will be assessed through various types of assessments such as assignments, examinations and report writing. The Master of Economics course offers students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in a real-world context. This course emphasises the use and application of economic skills in regional, national and international contexts. A global perspective is important in understanding issues confronting economists in a continuously changing environment.
• Communication Skills-In this course, students will develop, enhance and promote effective communication skills. These will be taught, practised and assessed in various units within the course. Students are expected to articulate knowledge in different schools of thought through activities such as assignment and report writing and oral discourse. Students will also participate in online discussions with different stakeholders.
• 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 be taught and assessed on skills to examine, analyse and interpret economic, quantitative and qualitative data and information. Students will acquire information through different forms of media and use this in the framework stipulated in different areas of study within the course.
• Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility-Students are taught numerous dimensions of social responsibility in relation to economic decision making. Students are also taught the importance of acknowledging and respecting the viewpoints and ideas of others, and understanding the cultural, ethical, economic, legal and social dimensions of economic issues.
• 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 and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary group to achieve common goals, solve problems, contribute specialist knowledge and contribute to group performance.