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Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Advanced Studies

This page was first published on 15 November 2023 and was last amended on 20 November 2023.
View details of the changes below.

Economics is a diverse, fascinating discipline that studies a wide range of issues that shape the broad framework of society – political, social and commercial. The School of Economics has a proud history as one of the most highly ranked centres in economics globally. This is reflected in our degrees, which promote a deep understanding of the key concepts of economics with a focus on contemporary issues of Australian and international importance. Our graduates are equipped with the key skills to work in fields such as the financial and banking sectors, leading policy institutions and NGOs, the commodities and futures markets, financial journalism, business and consulting.

Course overview

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/Bachelor of Advanced Studies. There is also a five-year Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws offered in partnership with the University of Sydney Law School.

All Bachelor of Economics students complete a program in Economics or Advanced Economics* which covers foundational studies in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics and includes a choice of one of the following 'embedded' majors:

Students also complete a second major (mandatory for the Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Advanced Studies) or minor from a range of subject areas including the humanities, social sciences, business and STEM, and units of study from the Open Learning Environment. Additionally, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Advanced Studies complete advanced coursework or honours (entry criteria apply) in their final year.

*Students completing the Advanced Economics program take the Economics major by default

Degree structure and requirements

For detailed information on degree requirements, please refer to the course resolutions.

1. Bachelor of Economics

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Economics, a candidate must complete 144 credit points, including:

2. Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Advanced Studies

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Advanced Studies, a candidate must complete 192 credit points, including:

Sample degree plans

The Bachelor of Economics plan below is intended as a guide only but indicates the recommended sequence of units of study for a full-time student. Additional sample degree plans are available to assist students in planning their studies.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2
ECON1001 ECON1002 ECOS2001 or
ECOS2901
ECOS2002 or
ECOS2902
Embedded
major
Embedded
major
ECMT1010 ECMT1020 ECMT2150 or
ECMT2950
Economics 
program
Embedded
major 
ECOS3997 or
ECMT3997
Second major
or minor
Second major
or minor
Second major
or minor
Second major
or minor
Second major
or minor
Second major
or minor
Elective* Elective* OLE (Table O) Elective Second major
or elective
Second major
or elective

*Economics, Business School, Science, or Engineering unit from Table S if not completed in the second major/minor

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/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/Bachelor of Advanced Studies) or minor (other than Economic Policy) from the Table A Subject Areas or Table S

Overlapping core units of study

An overlap in core units of study occurs with certain combinations of majors. For example, the core unit ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics is common to the Economics and Financial Economics majors. This situation also arises between some School of Economics majors and majors offered by the Business School and Faculty of Science. For example, the 1000-level core units in the Finance major (Business School), BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis and BUSS1040 Economics for Business Decision Making, are equivalent to ECMT1010 Introduction to Economic Statistics and ECON1001 Introductory Microeconomics, respectively. 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.

  • 1000 level: Up to two overlapping 1000-level core units may count towards the requirements of both majors. To make up the credit points for the overlapping unit(s), students must complete elective units as appropriate.
  • 2000 level: An overlapping 2000-level core unit cannot count towards the requirements of two majors. Students are required to substitute the overlapping core unit in one of the majors with a 2000- or 3000-level selective unit from the same major.

Advanced coursework

The Advanced Coursework option provides Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Advanced Studies students with the opportunity to broaden and deepen their subject knowledge and conduct a research project. Requirements and units of study for advanced coursework in Economics can be found on the Economics advanced coursework units of study page.

Honours

Honours is an additional year (full time) of study following completion of a three-year bachelor’s degree. It provides students an opportunity to develop research skills in their undergraduate major by undertaking advanced coursework and conducting a supervised but independent research project. An honours year adds greater depth to an undergraduate degree and is a pathway to both highly sought-after graduate programs in the public and private sectors, and postgraduate research courses.

Honours in Economics or Econometrics may be undertaken in:

  • the final (fourth) year of certain Bachelor of Advanced Studies combined degrees such as the Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Advanced Studies; or
  • certain appended honours degrees such as the Bachelor of Economics (Honours)

Students are required to meet the relevant admission criteria.  

The Honours program aims to finetune students' analytical, problem solving, writing, presentation and time-management skills. All units of study in the program are taught in smaller classes to facilitate greater interaction with academic staff and to enhance the Honours cohort learning experience.

Honours in Economics

Students intending to undertake honours in Economics should follow the Advanced Economics program from Year 2. The Advanced Economics program serves as a pathway to honours, providing high-level training in micro- and macroeconomics, mathematical economics, and applied econometrics. This prepares students for the advanced coursework and independent research that they will undertake in the honours year (Year 4).

In some cases, admission to the honours year is possible without having completed the Advanced Economics program (e.g., graduates of other institutions); however, applicants are expected to demonstrate a comparable level of preparation.

Please see the Economics subject area for admission criteria and course requirements.

Honours in Econometrics

Students intending to undertake honours in Econometrics should complete the Econometrics major with the required level of merit, intermediate (2000-level) units in micro- and macroeconomics and, where possible, other units from the Advanced Economics program as appropriate.

Please see the Econometrics subject area for admission criteria and course requirements.

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.

For further details regarding the Dalyell stream, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

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.

Details of available OLE units can be found in Table O in the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

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.

The available subject areas for majors and minors and their requirements can be found in the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook.

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

Post-publication amendments

Date
Original publication
Post-publication amendment
20/11/2023 Incorrect hyperlinks for Table A for the Bachelor of Economics: 
"Any additional units from Table A for the Bachelor of Economics"
Hyperlinks corrected to point to Unit of study table (Table A):
"Any additional units from Table A for the Bachelor of Economics"