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Study economics with us
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.
The Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is highly desirable for students seeking employment as professional economists and for those who wish to pursue advanced postgraduate study in economics.
The Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is an additional year of intensive study that high achieving students may undertake after completing a Bachelor of Economics (or equivalent). The course is suitable for applicants with a single undergraduate major in economics or econometrics.
The Bachelor of Economics (Honours) provides a supportive environment where students develop their skills as economists. These skills are highly valued by demanding employers: analytical ability; problem solving; quantitative methods; data analysis; research; and communication. Students take five semester-length units of study in classes that are usually smaller than 25 students.
In the Honours subject area of Economics, coursework accounts for 62.5% of the final Honours grade. Students also write a thesis not exceeding 15,000 words under the supervision of one or two members of the academic staff. The thesis accounts for 37.5% of the final Honours grade. The structure of the course enables a high level of attention from academic staff and close interaction with fellow students. A few students are admitted to the Honours subject area of Econometrics, where coursework and the thesis each account for 50% of the final Honours grade.
Many Bachelor of Economics (Honours) graduates pursue careers in economic or management consulting; the financial sector; the Reserve Bank of Australia; APRA; Productivity Commission; ACCC; and government departments such as Treasury, Finance and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Some have proceeded to academia, politics, and journalism.
Subject areas
Shared pool
Admission, fees and how to apply
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
The details on this page based on your selections are a guide only, and are subject to change.
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
Your fee
Your funding & scholarships
How to apply
For standalone honours degrees, apply directly to the University via the online application portal before the closing date. Before you apply, visit the How to Apply information for honours (and the faculty page for specific information). When you are ready to apply, select the `Apply' button on the right-hand side of this page.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 15 January of the commencing year.
Semester 2 - 25 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)
For standalone honours degrees, apply directly to the University via the online application portal before the closing date. Before you apply, visit the How to Apply information for honours (and the faculty page for specific information). When you are ready to apply, select the `Apply' button on the right-hand side of this page.
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
To qualify for the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) in Economics, you will complete 48 credit points, comprising:
- 30 credit points of honours seminar units of study; and
- 18 credit points of honours thesis units of study.
To qualify for the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) in Econometrics, you will complete 48 credit points, comprising:
- 24 credit points of honours seminar units of study; and
- 24 credit points of honours thesis units of study.
Further course information
Typical workload and assessment
Honours involves a mix of seminars and a thesis. Seminar work is marked by the academic staff member leading the class. A thesis is read by at least two academics in the field other than the student's supervisor. Examiners write detailed reports on each thesis, which the student receives, and assign a tentative grade.
The final grades for each thesis are decided by the department or program staff collectively. Each department or program ranks all honours candidates based on their thesis and seminar results. These departmental results and nominations for the University Medals are then considered by the Faculty Honours Board, which includes the Honours Coordinators from every department in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Honours awards and classes
The classes of honours awarded are:
- Honours Class I (where the Honours mark is in the range of 80-100)
- Honours Class II Division 1 (75 - 79)
- Honours Class II Division 2 (70 - 74)
- Honours Class III (65 - 69)
- Pass (50 - 64)
Sample study plan
Admission requirement
Admission to the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) requires:
- completion of a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney with a minimum weighted average mark of 70, or equivalent qualification;
- Economics subject area: a minimum average mark of 70 in advanced units of study in microeconomic theory; macroeconomic theory; mathematical economics; and econometrics. Econometrics subject area: intermediate-level training in microeconomics and macroeconomics and a minimum average mark of 75 in advanced units of study in econometrics; and
- evidence of support from the School of Economics Honours Coordinator, such as email correspondence.
NOTE: This degree requires completion of a major cognate to the Honours area you want to apply for. If you are on track to complete a double major and have not yet completed your penultimate semester of study, you have the option to undertake an embedded Honours component through a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree after transferring to the degree.
Career Pathways
Many Economics Honours graduates pursue careers in economic or management consulting; the financial sector; the Reserve Bank of Australia; Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA); Productivity Commission; Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC); and government departments such as Treasury, Finance and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Some graduates have pursued careers in academia, politics, and journalism.
Domestic students
International students
