Bachelor of Commerce(Finance) / Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Economics at the University of New South Wales combines in-depth financial expertise with a strong understanding of economic systems, preparing students to analyse markets, evaluate investments, and make informed business and policy decisions. Campus Location: Kensington Campus, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This degree is ideal for students interested in finance, banking, investment, economic policy, and quantitative analysis, offering a comprehensive understanding of how financial institutions and economies interact in a global environment.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build a strong foundation in both business and economics through introductory studies in finance, accounting, and economic principles. Core courses such as Microeconomics 1, Macroeconomics 1, and Financial Management introduce key concepts in market behaviour, economic decision-making, and corporate finance.

Year 2:
The second year develops analytical and quantitative capabilities while expanding students' understanding of financial markets and economic theory. Courses such as Investments, Intermediate Microeconomics, and Intermediate Macroeconomics explore asset valuation, consumer and firm behaviour, economic growth, and policy analysis.

Year 3:
Students begin advanced study in finance and economics, applying theoretical concepts to complex real-world situations. Subjects including International Finance, Corporate Finance, and Econometrics develop expertise in financial decision-making, risk assessment, statistical modelling, and global economic analysis.

Year 4:
In the final year, students focus on specialised and strategic topics while refining their professional and analytical skills. Advanced courses such as Derivatives and Risk Management, Monetary Economics, and Economic Policy and Analysis prepare graduates to evaluate financial risks, analyse economic trends, and support high-level business and policy decisions.

Focus Areas: Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Financial Markets, International Finance, Economic Policy, Econometrics, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Risk Management, Quantitative Analysis.

Learning Outcomes: Develop expertise in financial decision-making, investment evaluation, economic modelling, quantitative analysis, risk assessment, policy evaluation, strategic thinking, and evidence-based problem-solving across business and economic environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The finance component provides strong preparation for professional pathways such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program, while the economics component develops analytical capabilities valued by government agencies, financial institutions, consulting firms, and international organisations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): UNSW Business School is internationally recognised and consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools. UNSW is regularly ranked among Australia's top universities for graduate employability and maintains strong industry connections across finance, consulting, and economics sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Economics at the University of New South Wales combines rigorous theoretical learning with practical industry-focused experiences that prepare students for careers in finance, economics, consulting, and policy analysis. Throughout the degree, students work with real financial and economic data, develop quantitative modelling skills, and apply economic theory to contemporary business and policy challenges. Learning is supported by world-class research facilities, industry engagement opportunities, advanced financial databases, and collaborative project-based coursework:

UNSW Business School Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Students can participate in industry projects, internships, consulting experiences, and employer-sponsored challenges that provide practical workplace exposure.
Career Accelerator Program: Provides opportunities to work on real industry projects with leading organisations, allowing students to gain professional experience and build industry networks before graduation.
Financial Market Databases: Students gain access to professional financial and economic databases including Bloomberg, Refinitiv Eikon, Datastream, Capital IQ, and Morningstar Direct for investment analysis, valuation, and market research.
Bloomberg Trading Lab: Dedicated facility where students use Bloomberg Terminals to analyse financial markets, monitor economic indicators, evaluate investment opportunities, and develop practical trading and portfolio management skills.
Economic and Financial Modelling: Coursework includes quantitative analysis, econometrics, forecasting, financial modelling, and data-driven decision-making using industry-standard analytical tools.
Industry Case Studies: Finance and economics subjects incorporate real-world case studies drawn from banking, investment management, public policy, and global financial markets.
Group Projects and Team-Based Learning: Students collaborate on investment analyses, economic policy evaluations, business strategy projects, and consulting-style assignments that mirror professional workplace environments.
UNSW Business School Industry Engagement: Regular networking events, employer presentations, guest lectures, and industry panels featuring professionals from banking, consulting, government, and financial services sectors.
Research Centres and Institutes: Students benefit from the expertise and resources of leading research groups including the UNSW Business School research centres and economics research institutes focused on financial markets, economic policy, and business innovation.
Exchange and Global Opportunities: Students can participate in international exchange programs and global business experiences with UNSW's extensive network of partner universities worldwide.
UNSW Library Services: Access to one of Australia's leading academic library systems, including extensive finance, economics, business, and data analytics resources, research databases, collaborative learning spaces, and specialist research support.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Economics at the University of New South Wales develop a powerful combination of financial expertise and economic analysis skills, enabling them to understand investment markets, business performance, and the broader forces shaping the global economy. This dual degree prepares graduates for careers across banking, investment management, consulting, government, economic policy, and financial services, where analytical and strategic thinking are highly valued.

Typical roles include: Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Economist, Economic Consultant.

Career Development Support: UNSW Employability and Career Discovery: Provides personalised career coaching, resume and interview workshops, mentoring programs, networking events, internship support, and access to graduate recruitment opportunities with leading financial institutions, consulting firms, and government organisations.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insight: Graduates with finance and economics expertise achieve strong employment outcomes, with median graduate starting salaries typically ranging from AUD 80,000–90,000 per year, particularly in banking, consulting, investment, and analytical roles.
Industry Partnerships: UNSW Business School Industry Connections: Students engage with major employers including global banks, investment firms, consulting companies, government agencies, and multinational corporations through internships, industry projects, case competitions, employer presentations, and networking opportunities.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value: Globally Recognised Qualification: The finance component provides strong preparation for internationally recognised professional pathways such as the CFA Institute Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program, while the economics component develops advanced quantitative and policy-analysis capabilities valued worldwide.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop expertise in investment analysis, corporate finance, economic modelling, financial markets, quantitative analysis, forecasting, and strategic decision-making, enabling them to pursue diverse opportunities across the private and public sectors.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the Master of Finance, Master of Economics, Master of Commerce, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, or research-focused honours and doctoral programs. Professional qualifications such as the CFA designation, alongside specialised postgraduate study in finance, economics, or analytics, can further enhance career advancement and leadership opportunities in global financial and economic sectors.