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Study economics with us
Overview
The Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is a highly regarded qualification designed for those seeking employment as a professional economist or intending to pursue postgraduate research study in economics.
The Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is a one-year (full time) course available to high-achieving students following completion of their Bachelor of Economics (or equivalent). It provides an opportunity to develop research skills in economics or econometrics by undertaking advanced 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 highly sought-after graduate programs in the public and private sectors, and postgraduate research courses.
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
Honours is comprised of both coursework and research. You’ll complete:
· five honours-level coursework units of study that extend the knowledge and skills acquired in your undergraduate degree; and
· a thesis of approximately 15,000 words.You will work on your thesis throughout the course, under the supervision of an academic staff member.
You will work on your thesis throughout the course, under teh supervision of an academic staff member.
The thesis is a research-based dissertation on a topic in which you have a strong intellectual interest.
The research should identify an area for investigation which makes a relevant contribution to and extends the body of knowledge in your chosen domain.
The quality of the research design, development of research question, application of appropriate methodologies, and interpretation of findings, as well as your ability to effectively communicate the research are assessed in the thesis.
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 Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is awarded as either Pass or Honours. The honours degree is awarded in classes ranging from First Class to Third Class according to the rules specified in the Coursework Policy and the Resolutions of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Sample study plan
Admission requirement
Admission to the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) requires:
- completion of the Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, including a major in the proposed honours subject area with a minimum weighted average mark of 70, or equivalent qualification;
- Economics subject area: completion of advanced 2000- and 3000-level units of study in microeconomics; macroeconomics; mathematical economics; and applied econometrics (equivalent to the University of Sydney Advanced Economics program). Econometrics subject area: completion of advanced 2000-level units of study in microeconomics and macroeconomics; and
- evidence of support from the School of Economics Coordinator (or delegate), 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
An honours year is an investment in your career, allowing you to develop a wide range of additional skills that are highly valued by employers in the public and private sectors. Honours graduates are recognised as possessing knowledge and skills well beyond those obtained by graduates of three-year bachelor’s degrees.
Many 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 pursue careers in academia, politics, and journalism.
Domestic students
International students
