Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

Imagine a degree that lets you understand the heartbeat of markets and the bigger picture of whole economies. Macquarie University’s Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Economics blends financial know-how with economic insight, giving you the confidence to analyse investments, assess risk, and think strategically. It’s perfect for future economists, analysts, consultants, and corporate strategists who enjoy working with numbers — and with ideas.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
Your first year lays the foundation. You’ll explore units like Accounting for Decision Making, Finance Fundamentals, and Economics and Business Strategy, giving you the tools to think like both a financial professional and an economist from day one. Courses like Business Statistics and Insights sharpen your analytical skills, helping you make sense of data with confidence. It’s also a year to explore your interests through electives while starting to see how markets, businesses, and households really make decisions.

Year 2:
In your second year, the pace picks up. You’ll dive deeper into Corporate Finance and Capital Markets, Economics and the Global Economy, and Investments, connecting theory with real-world scenarios. You’ll analyse market trends, evaluate investment decisions, and understand how policies shape everything from interest rates to international trade — seeing first-hand how finance and economics intersect on a global scale.

Year 3:
By Year 3, you’re ready to tackle complexity. Units like Financial Risk Management, Applied Portfolio Management, and Macroeconomic Policy give you hands-on experience in managing portfolios, assessing risk, and thinking strategically about economic systems. This is where you start to define your professional voice, applying rigorous economic reasoning to practical finance challenges.

Year 4:
Your final year is all about bringing it together. Advanced units such as Current Issues in Economics and Financial Econometrics teach you to interpret big data and emerging trends, while electives and capstone projects let you shape the degree to suit your career ambitions — whether that’s advising investors, influencing policy, or starting your own venture. By graduation, you’ll think like a strategist who can read both markets and economies with clarity.

Focus Areas:
Financial analysis, economic modelling, risk management, global markets, policy evaluation

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates confidently evaluate economic systems, analyse financial data, make strategic decisions, and communicate insights that matter in business and government contexts.

Professional Alignment:
This double degree isn’t just theory — the finance courses are industry-aligned, giving you exposure to real-world tools, regulatory practices, and market strategies that employers value in analysts and advisors.

Reputation & Employability:
Macquarie University consistently ranks highly in global tables like QS and Times Higher Education. Graduates of its business and economics programs are recognized for strong employability, reflecting the real-world readiness this degree instills.

If you love solving puzzles with numbers and want a career that connects markets with meaningful impact, this could be the degree that sets you on your path.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re thinking about Macquarie University’s Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Economics, here’s the real deal: this double degree isn’t just about sitting in lectures and memorising theories. From the very start, you’ll be diving into real financial tools and data, practising exactly the skills employers want in analysts, economists, and finance professionals. You won’t just learn ideas in isolation — you’ll apply them through group projects, hands-on computing workshops, and professional experiences that mirror the challenges you’ll face in the workplace. By the time you finish, you’ll have not only knowledge, but confidence in analysing data, solving problems, and communicating your insights.

Here’s how Macquarie makes that happen:

Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) units: These connect you directly with industry partners. You’ll analyse real scenarios, create project briefs, and develop recommendations — all under the guidance of both academics and professionals.
Computer lab workshops and practicals: You’ll work with real data and financial tools, building the high-level quantitative and analytical skills that are essential in finance and economics.
Small-group tutorials: These sessions let you work closely with peers and tutors to solve problems together, applying lecture concepts to hands-on tasks and discussions.
Interactive lectures and online forums: Beyond listening, you’ll engage with real questions, participate in discussions, and deepen your understanding through active participation.

These aren’t just optional extras — they’re built into the program so that by the time you graduate, you leave with more than knowledge. You leave with real skills, practical experience, and the confidence to use them in the world of work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Good news if you’re thinking about the Bachelor of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie University — this double degree sets you up really well for meaningful work after graduation. You’ll develop strong analytical and technical skills that employers love, and because you’re combining finance and economics, you’re not limited to one niche. Graduates often step into roles like financial analyst, investment adviser, economist, portfolio manager, or financial risk analyst.

Here’s what this could mean for you:

Careers and support designed for your success: Macquarie’s Careers and Student Employment services help you explore different career paths, build practical skills, prep for interviews, polish your resume, and connect with real job opportunities — from part‑time roles while you study to graduate positions. You also have access to Macquarie Student Employment (MQSE), which links students directly with roles at industry partners.

Industry connections and hands-on experiences: The degree includes content designed with industry input, plus PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) units that give you practical, real-world experience working with organisations. This is a huge boost for building a portfolio of skills and experience before you even graduate.

Strong employer partnerships: Macquarie works closely with banks, consultancies, finance firms, and insurance companies to ensure your learning reflects current industry needs. These connections can open doors to potential employers right from the start.

Accreditation and credibility: The Applied Finance component meets recognised industry standards (like ASIC RG 146 compliance), so the knowledge and skills you gain are directly relevant and valued in the workplace.

Pathways to further study: If you want to keep learning, there are plenty of options. Many graduates move on to honours or Master’s programs in Finance, Economics, Business Analytics, Public Policy, or International Business. Macquarie also offers postgraduate coursework and research programs, including a Master of Applied Finance, which can prepare you for senior roles or professional credentials like the CFA exams. Further study not only deepens your expertise but can also set you up for advanced careers in consulting, economic research, or leadership in finance and policy.