Bachelor of Economics; Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Advanced Studies
Overview
Economics is a dynamic and influential social science that examines how individuals, businesses, and governments make decisions in the context of scarcity. At its core, economics helps us understand how societies allocate resources, respond to incentives, and manage trade-offs – insights that are fundamental to navigating both everyday choices and complex global issues. A key strength of economics is its ability to explain how markets function – how prices are set, goods and services are exchanged, and value is created. This understanding is vital not only for business and finance but also for shaping effective public policy and managing economic systems. Harnessing mathematical and statistical methods, economics provides a structured way to analyse real-world problems. It enables us to identify patterns in human behaviour and provides a powerful framework to help design solutions to major challenges such as financial crises, inequality, poverty, sustainable economic development, and climate change.
Studying economics equips students with highly transferable skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and problem solving. These capabilities are increasingly sought after across a wide range of careers in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, including in government, finance, consulting, policymaking, international development, and research. The School of Economics has a long and proud tradition of excellence in economics education and research. Graduates of the Bachelor of Economics are well prepared to make meaningful contributions in a world where sound economic thinking is more important than ever.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers the three-year (full time) Bachelor of Economics and the four-year (full time) Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Advanced Studies. Additionally, the Bachelor of Economics may be combined with the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Laws.
All Bachelor of Economics students complete a program in Economics comprised of foundational studies in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics and an 'embedded' major in:
Students who meet the progression criteria may elect to complete the Advanced Economics program, which serves as a pathway to Honours in Economics.
Students also complete a second major (mandatory for the Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Advanced Studies) or minor from a broad range of subject areas, including business, STEM, social sciences, and humanities, as well as Open Learning Environment and elective units of study. Additionally, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Advanced Studies complete advanced coursework, including a substantial project.
Mathematics assumed knowledge
Mathematics is an essential tool in the study of economics. Students admitted to a Bachelor of Economics course are assumed to have prior knowledge of mathematics equivalent to a minimum result of Band 4 in the NSW Higher School Certificate course, Mathematics Advanced. Students who do not possess the assumed knowledge are strongly advised to enrol in ECON1003 Quantitative Methods in Economics in their first semester of study. The unit may be counted as an elective towards the requirements of the degree.
Degree structure and requirements
For detailed information on degree rules and requirements, please refer to the course resolutions.
For guidance on degree planning, please refer to the enrolment planner.
Programs, majors and minors
The program in Economics/Advanced Economics consists of 72 credit points. A major consists of 48 credit points in a single subject area. A minor consists of 36 credit points in a single subject area. It is not possible to complete a major and a minor in the same subject area.
Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Advanced Studies students complete a program in economics with an embedded major in Econometrics; Economics; Environmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics; or Financial Economics.
Students also complete a second major (mandatory for the Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Advanced Studies) or minor from the Table A Subject Areas or Table S.
Overlapping core units of study
An overlap in core units of study occurs when a Bachelor of Economics (and associated combined degrees) student takes:
- a second major or minor from the School of Economics; or
- a major/minor from the Business School or Faculty of Science that contains core units equivalent to those offered by the School of Economics.
The following rules apply in relation to overlapping core units:
- 1000 level: substitute the overlapping core unit(s) in one major/minor with elective units from Tables A, D (Dalyell stream only), O, and/or S.
- 2000 level: substitute the overlapping core unit in one major/minor with a 2000- or 3000-level selective unit from the same major/minor.
- Bachelor of Economics students are required to complete the core units specified for the Bachelor of Economics rather than equivalent units offered by other faculties.
Examples
(i) The 1000-level core units, ECMT1010 and ECON1001, and the 2000-level core unit, ECOS2001, are common to the Economics program and the Financial Economics major/minor. Students taking a second major or minor in Financial Economics substitute the 1000-level units in the Financial Economics major/minor with 12 credit points of elective units from Tables A, D (Dalyell stream only), O, and/or S. Students substitute the 2000-level unit (ECOS2001) with a 3000-level selective unit from the Financial Economics major/minor.
(ii) The Economics program 1000-level core units, ECMT1010 and ECON1001, are equivalent to the Business School units, BUSS1020 and BUSS1040, respectively. Students taking their second major from the Business School (e.g., Banking, Finance) substitute the 1000-level units in that major with 12 credit points of elective units from Tables A, D (Dalyell stream only), O, and/or S.
Advanced coursework
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Advanced Studies are required to complete a minimum of 24 credit points of Advanced Coursework, which provides an opportunity to broaden and deepen their subject knowledge and conduct a research project. Details of advanced coursework units of study in Economics can be found in the Economics advanced coursework units of study table.
Advanced Economics program
The Advanced Economics program is primarily designed to prepare students to undertake an honours (fourth) year in Economics but is available to all eligible students, regardless of whether they intend to complete the honours year. The objective of the program is to equip students for the diverse range of careers which value research skills in economics – for understanding economic and social phenomena, analysing economic data, and exploring alternative choices in addressing key challenges. The program emphasises the greater mathematical and statistical rigour needed by researchers to analyse economic phenomena using advanced economic theory and applied data analysis techniques. This preparation broadens the range of issues that can be studied and enables deeper economic analysis and contributions to economic thought.
The structure of the Advanced Economics program does not allow a choice of units of study, with the exception of a choice between applied micro- and macroeconometrics in Year 3. The embedded major is Economics.
Admission and progression
All Bachelor of Economics (and associated combined degrees) students may elect to undertake the Advanced Economics program; however, to progress through the program, students must achieve a specified minimum result in most units of study.
Completion of the Advanced Economics program does not guarantee admission to the honours (fourth) year in Economics. Admission criteria for the honours year can be found on the Economics and Econometrics subject area pages. Completion of the Advanced Economics program is not a requirement for admission to the honours year in Econometrics; however, students intending to undertake honours in Econometrics should complete at least the advanced 2000-level units in micro- and macroeconomics.
Honours
Honours is an additional year (full time) of study following completion of the Bachelor of Economics. It provides students an opportunity to develop research skills in economics or econometrics by undertaking advanced-level coursework and conducting a supervised but independent research project. The honours year adds greater depth to an undergraduate degree and is a pathway to both employment as a professional economist and higher degree by research (e.g., PhD) studies.
Information on the preparation required for admission to Honours can be found on the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) page. Students intending to undertake Honours in Economics or Econometrics should apply for admission to the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) during their final semester of enrolment in the Bachelor of Economics.
Table D - Dalyell stream
The Dalyell stream is a targeted stream for high achievers. Students who participate in the Dalyell stream are known as ‘Dalyell Scholars’ and have access to curricular and extra-curricular activities.
Dalyell Scholars are required to complete 12 credit points of Dalyell stream units. Dalyell stream units emphasise the development of vision, depth of understanding, adaptability, breadth of perspective, societal contribution, and a high level of capability in operating across disciplinary and cultural boundaries. Dalyell Scholars may take Dalyell stream units offered by any faculty.
Additionally, with the permission of the Dalyell Program Director, students have access to enrichment and accelerated units of study that can be completed as electives.
Table O - Open Learning Environment (OLE)
Students are required to complete 6 credit points in units of study from the Open Learning Environment, unless they are enrolled in the Dalyell stream.
Table S - Interdisciplinary Studies (Shared pool)
Students can complete a second major or minor (Bachelor of Economics only) in a wide range of subject areas through the shared pool of majors and minors.
Electives
Students may complete any additional units of study from Table A (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), Table S (shared pool), Table O (OLE), or Table D (for students enrolled in the Dalyell stream) needed to achieve the credit-point total required for their degree.
Contacts and further information
- School of Economics
- Email: economics.enquiries@sydney.edu.au
