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Overview
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely.
This course will be available for students to study remotely during 2022 if they are unable to undertake face-to-face study. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
The Master of Economics provides you with the training and knowledge for a wide range of careers and focuses on advanced coursework in economics and data analysis – critical skills in today’s workforce.
Designed to be relevant to recent graduates as well as professionals seeking further training in economics for career progression or a career change, the Master of Economics encourages you to apply your training in practical ways to address major challenges in business and policy and is also offered as a dual degree pathway in partnership with Fudan University.
The Master of Economics at Sydney is the preferred professional development qualification for many employers. With a combination of industry-relevant training and academic rigour, the course is a benchmark for postgraduate economics training in Australia.
Read our Master of Economics FAQ
Commonwealth Supported Places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for postgraduate study for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSPs are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
Subject areas
Students complete their specialisation from the following subject areas:
Shared pool
Your entry requirements
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Your fee
Your funding & scholarships
How to apply
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP, an earlier closing date may apply – check the closing dates section below. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
CSP closing date: 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
CSP closing date: 30 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
What you'll study
A strong foundation in Economics is required to succeed in an academically demanding degree such as the new Master of Economics.
If your undergraduate degree includes a major in Economics, you may be eligible for a reduced volume of learning (RVL) and able to complete the degree sooner. In this case, you would begin by studying the four core advanced units.
Students without sufficient prior training in Economics complete four foundation units before undertaking the core units. The foundation units will take you to an intermediate level in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Econometrics, and provide you with the communication and quantitative skills required to succeed in the remainder of the degree.
After completing the core units, you can choose from a wide range of electives to tailor your degree to the specific needs of your current workplace or your future career.
Study plan
To qualify for the Master of Economics you must complete 96 credit points, including:
- a minimum of 24 credit points of foundation units of study; and
- a minimum of 24 credit points of core units of study; and
- a maximum of 42 credit points of elective units of study; and
- at least one specialisation; and
- a minimum of 6 credit points of capstone units of study.
Foundation Units (only for the 2-year MEc)
- ECON5001 Microeconomic Theory
- ECON5002 Macroeconomic Theory
- ECMT5001 Principles of Econometrics
- ECON5005 Quantitative Tools for Economics
Please note: Foundation units of study cannot be counted towards specialisations.
Core Units (for both the 2-year and 1.5-year MEc)
- ECON6001 Microeconomic Analysis 1
- ECON6002 Macroeconomic Analysis 1
- ECMT6002 Econometric Applications
- ECON5004 Communication in Economics
Specialisation and elective subject areas
Students complete their specialisation and electives from the following subject areas.
- Economics
- Econometrics
- Financial Economics
Capstone
Students complete the capstone unit ECON7030 Economics Research Project during their final semester.
Timetable
View the Master of Economics Unit timetable.
Please note this timetable is indicative only.
Completion requirement
Under normal progression, a full-time student completes prescribed units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester. Part-time students may undertake prescribed units of study up to the value of 12 credit points per semester. You are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for your units of study.
Capstone (compulsory project)
Admission requirement
Admission to candidature for the Master of Economics (2 years full-time) requires:
- a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification; or
- completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Economics with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.
Reduced volume of learning
If you have completed previous studies in a related area or have relevant work experience, you may be able to reduce the duration of your studies based on the criteria below:
Admission to candidature for the Master of Economics (1.5 years full-time) requires:
- a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, with a major in Economics and with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification; or
- relevant professional experience and a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.
Admission to candidature for the Master of Economics (1 year full-time) requires:
- an Honours degree in Economics.
If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the Master’s degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the Master’s after successful completion of the shorter course.
Career Pathways
The Master of Economics prepares you for a career based on the key skills of economics, econometrics and finance.
Many of our graduates hold positions in international, federal and state policy departments, global financial institutions, non-government organisations and intergovernmental agencies such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Domestic students
International students
Fee information for the dual degree pathway
The dual degree pathway consists of two separately priced tuition fee components. The exact fees that you will pay depends on the provider (Fudan University or The University of Sydney), and the calendar year in which you undertake your studies in the dual degree pathway.
The University of Sydney:
The first tuition fee component is for the study undertaken in the Master of Economics at The University of Sydney. Please refer to the fees information on this page for more detailed information.
Fudan:
The second tuition fee component is the study undertaken at Fudan University. Regardless of whether you are a Commonwealth supported student, or international full fee paying student, tuition fees are paid directly to Fudan University. The tuition fees are available on the Fudan University website. Students are responsible for all Fudan University fees applicable and must make their own enquiries directly with Fudan to determine what these fees are.
Other important information
Students admitted to the dual degree pathway will be required to arrange an appropriate visa to undertake the study component at Fudan University upon completing the University of Sydney study component. There are visa application fees, airfares and other costs that need to be factored into your additional costs for this dual degree pathway.
