Bachelor of Economics (Honours)

This Honours year isn’t about collecting another credential — it’s about becoming an economist in the real sense of the word. Over the year, you move well beyond textbook learning and start thinking, questioning, and analysing problems the way professional economists do. You’ll engage deeply with advanced economic ideas and tools, but what really defines the experience is the independence and responsibility you’re given. By the end of the year, you won’t just understand economics — you’ll know how to use it.

At the heart of the program is the Economics Honours Research Essay, a year-long, 12-unit project where you work one-on-one with an academic supervisor. You’ll develop your own research question, design a clear research strategy, analyse evidence, and produce a substantial piece of original economic work. This mirrors the kind of analysis done in government departments, policy agencies, consulting firms, and research institutions, giving you a genuine taste of professional economic research.

Alongside your research, you’ll tackle advanced and specialised coursework that pushes you to apply theory to real economic challenges. Courses such as Cost-Benefit Analysis, Public Sector Economics, Labour Economics and Industrial Relations, International Trade Theory, and Advanced Behavioural Economics require you to think critically, evaluate evidence, and grapple with complex policy and market issues — exactly the kind of thinking economists are expected to do in practice.

You’ll also build strong applied quantitative skills, learning how to work confidently with data and economic models. Through subjects like Applied Micro-econometrics, Business and Economic Forecasting, and Econometric Modelling, you gain hands-on experience analysing real datasets, interpreting results, and drawing meaningful conclusions — skills that are highly valued in both public and private sector roles.

The program gives you flexibility through electives tailored to your goals, allowing you to focus on areas such as public policy, industrial organisation, or international economics. This means your honours year can reflect what genuinely interests you and where you see yourself heading after graduation.

Throughout the year, you’re supported by close academic mentorship. Supervisors don’t just assess your work — they help you refine ideas, challenge assumptions, and grow into a confident, independent thinker who can communicate economic insights clearly and persuasively.

If you’re looking for a year that truly stretches you — intellectually, analytically, and creatively — this Honours structure at Australian National University gives you the responsibility, support, and real-world relevance that turns academic study into meaningful economic practice.

If you’re thinking about where an Honours year in Economics could actually take you, the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) at ANU has a really strong track record. Graduates from this program often move into roles like economic analyst, government policy adviser, consultant, or research assistant — and many go on to PhD study. What sets this year apart is how much it strengthens the skills employers and top graduate programs genuinely care about: clear economic thinking, strong data analysis, and the ability to do independent, high-quality research.

So what does that mean for you, day to day?

First, you’ll spend the year doing real research — not just assignments. You’ll design and carry out your own economics project, guided by experienced academics who are active researchers themselves. That kind of hands-on research experience is a big advantage, whether you’re aiming for competitive graduate roles or further study.

You’re also well supported along the way. Through the Research School of Economics, you’ll have access to academic mentors who know the field inside out, plus ANU’s career services to help with things like CVs, applications, and interview preparation tailored to economics and research-focused roles.

While the program doesn’t publish specific salary figures, ANU graduates are widely recognised as highly employable — both in Australia and internationally. An honours qualification can really help you stand out in competitive job markets, especially in government, consulting, finance, and research-driven organisations.

Another big plus is the network you become part of. Studying at ANU connects you with a strong alumni community and long-standing links to government departments, industry, and research institutions. Many past honours students have turned these connections into real opportunities — from policy roles to consulting positions and postgraduate study.

From an academic standpoint, the degree also carries serious weight. Delivered through ANU’s College of Business and Economics and the Research School of Economics, the honours year is recognised as a solid foundation for advanced work in economics.

Looking ahead, this year opens a lot of doors. Many students use it as a direct pathway into a Master of Economics by Research or a PhD, either at ANU or at leading universities overseas. Others take their honours experience into specialist postgraduate programs in economics, public policy, or related fields once they discover the area they’re most passionate about.

If you’re aiming for a career that’s research-informed, globally relevant, and built on rigorous economic thinking, an honours year at ANU isn’t just an extra qualification — it’s a strategic step that can shape what comes next.