Business Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Western Australia

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Business Economics at UWA gives you a powerful understanding of how markets operate, how economies grow, and how policy shapes business decisions. It’s perfect for you if you're curious about economic trends, enjoy analyzing data, and want to influence business, government, or public policy.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
You begin by building a solid foundation in economic thinking through courses like ECON1101 Microeconomics: Prices and Markets and ECON1102 Macroeconomics: Money and Finance. There’s also a bridging course, ECON1111 Quantitative Methods for Business and Economics, that helps you sharpen your quantitative skills. Together, these classes introduce you to economic reasoning and set you up for more advanced study.

Year 2:
In your second year, you explore how theory meets real-world policy. Core units include ECON2233 Microeconomics: Policy and Applications and ECON2234 Macroeconomics: Policy and Applications, where you examine public‑policy challenges and economic models in action. You also choose from electives like ECON2105 Rise of the Global Economy, ECON2210 Monetary Economics, or ECON2245 Business Economics — letting you start specializing in the topics that excite you.

Year 3:
Your final year is about depth, application, and integration. You pick from advanced electives such as ECON3235 International Trade, ECON3205 Health Economics, ECON3371 Applied Econometric Methods and Data Analysis, or ECON3303 Applied Macroeconomics. These courses let you dive into subjects like global markets, health systems, economic modelling, or data, allowing you to tailor your learning based on your interests and career goals.

Focus Areas:
Microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, policy analysis

Learning Outcomes:
Students will analyze economic problems, perform quantitative research, interpret policy impacts, and communicate insights to business and public audiences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The UWA Business School is accredited by both AACSB and EQUIS, which means your degree is highly respected by employers around the globe — not just in Australia.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
UWA is ranked among the top 10 in Australia for Economics and Econometrics (according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject), giving you strong credibility when you step into the job market.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Business Economics at UWA is designed to give you real-world skills that go far beyond theory. You’ll learn how economies function, how markets react, and how businesses make strategic decisions — all through hands-on analysis, data-driven projects, and practical problem-solving exercises. From day one, you’ll apply economic concepts to actual business scenarios, building confidence in interpreting financial data, assessing market trends, and making informed recommendations that matter in the professional world. The program also emphasizes collaboration, so you’ll gain experience working in teams on projects that mirror real business challenges:

Experiential learning opportunities include:

Access to UWA’s world-class business and economics labs for data analysis and financial modeling
Group projects simulating real-world economic and business scenarios
Industry engagement through guest lectures, workshops, and case studies with leading companies and government agencies
Opportunities for placements and internships with banks, consultancies, and international economic institutions
Research projects guided by UWA’s renowned economics faculty and the UWA Business School
Use of UWA’s extensive digital resources, databases, and libraries to analyze economic trends and market data
Networking events and mentorship programs connecting you with alumni and professionals in finance, government, and consultancy

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a Bachelor of Business Economics from UWA opens doors to a wide range of exciting career paths. You’ll be equipped to understand complex financial systems, analyse economic trends, and provide insights that businesses and governments rely on. Typical roles for graduates include economic analyst, financial consultant, policy advisor, and market forecaster.

Here’s what this means for you:

UWA Careers and Employability Services: Access tailored support for internships, resume building, and networking opportunities with leading employers.
Industry Connections: Partnerships with banks, government agencies (including the Reserve Bank and Treasury), and global institutions like the International Monetary Fund give you exposure to real-world economic practice.
Accreditation and Recognition: Your degree is widely respected in both Australia and internationally, giving long-term credibility in the workforce.
Graduate Outcomes: UWA Business Economics graduates are highly sought after, with opportunities across financial institutions, management consultancies, and public sector agencies.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing your bachelor’s, you can continue with honours or move into specialist postgraduate programs such as the Master of Economics. Alternatively, generalist pathways like the Master of Commerce or, with relevant work experience, the Master of Business Administration are excellent options. These pathways let you deepen your expertise or broaden your leadership and management skills, keeping your career prospects versatile and strong.