Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie is designed for students who want to understand how money, markets, and policy shape real business decisions. You’ll graduate with both commercial know-how and deep economic insight, learning how to analyse data, think strategically, and make confident decisions in a global economy.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1: You’ll build strong foundations across both degrees, starting with core ideas in Introduction to Economics, Accounting for Decision Making, and Business Statistics. This year is about learning how businesses operate, how markets behave, and how to start thinking critically with numbers and evidence. You’ll also begin developing the communication and problem-solving skills employers expect early on.

Year 2: As your confidence grows, you’ll move into deeper analysis through Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, and applied commerce studies such as Business Analytics. You’ll start connecting theory to real-world issues like consumer behaviour, inflation, trade, and firm strategy, while gaining practical tools to interpret data and support business decisions.

Year 3: Your final year brings everything together with advanced economics and applied commerce learning, including Econometrics, International Economics, and a capstone or applied project within your commerce major. This is where you sharpen your ability to evaluate complex economic problems, test ideas with real data, and present insights clearly — just like you would in a professional role.

Focus Areas: Economics, business decision-making, data analysis, markets, policy, and commercial strategy

Learning Outcomes: Confident economic analysis, strong business literacy, data-driven thinking, and professional communication skills

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
Macquarie Business School holds respected international accreditation, and the commerce component of this double degree aligns well with professional pathways in accounting, finance, analytics, and consulting, depending on your chosen major.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
Macquarie consistently performs strongly in global employability rankings from QS and Times Higher Education, reflecting the university’s reputation for producing graduates who are work-ready, analytical, and highly valued by employers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re someone who learns best by doing, this double degree is built with you in mind. From your very first semester, you’ll be getting stuck into real-world challenges — not just sitting in lectures. You’ll collaborate with your peers, apply economic and business tools in practical ways, and gain skills that employers actually look for. By mixing analytical work with hands-on projects and structured industry engagement, this program helps you graduate as someone who’s confident, capable, and ready to make an impact.

Here’s how that comes to life:

Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) unit — You’ll work with an industry or community partner to tackle real problems. It’s your chance to connect theory with practice, bring fresh ideas to an organisation, and build practical workplace skills that matter.
Capstone projects — In your final years, both Commerce and Economics offer units where you pull everything you’ve learned together, working on complex, real-world projects that mirror what professionals do every day.
Computer lab workshops and practicals — You’ll get hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and data software, solving real quantitative problems and sharpening technical skills employers love.
Tutorials and collaborative sessions — Smaller group settings give you space to practice concepts, work in teams, and tackle case studies, discussions, and problem-solving exercises alongside your classmates.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Here’s the exciting part: graduates from Macquarie University’s Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics leave with a powerful mix of analytical thinking, business know-how, and practical problem-solving skills that employers truly value. You’ll be ready to step into meaningful work in both commercial and policy settings, and many students find themselves applying what they’ve learned from day one.

Typical roles you could move into include business analyst, economist, financial or investment analyst, or policy and planning adviser — basically any position that values strong quantitative and communication skills. Here’s what that means for you:

Practical employability support – Macquarie’s Careers and Student Employment team is there to guide you every step of the way. They help with career planning, workshops, and job-search tools while you study. Plus, through Macquarie Student Employment, you can connect with part-time and full-time roles with local industry partners, gaining real workplace experience even before graduation.

Hands-on industry experience – Every student completes at least one Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) unit. This award-winning program gives you the chance to work with real organisations, tackle authentic workplace challenges, and build professional networks — so you’ll have concrete stories and experience to share in interviews.

Industry-integrated learning – Your degree isn’t just about theory. With capstone projects and industry panels, you’ll apply what you learn alongside professionals and even showcase your work to potential employers.

Skills employers are looking for – From data analysis and business insight to teamwork, communication, and critical thinking, this program equips you with the competencies that are in demand across business, government, and not-for-profit sectors.

Flexibility to tailor your degree – The double degree structure lets you choose majors that match your interests and career goals — whether that’s combining economics with finance, analytics, accounting, or another area. You’ll graduate with a unique mix of expertise that helps you stand out.

Further academic opportunities – After completing this double degree, you’ll also be well-positioned to continue your studies. Many students go on to honours in economics or business, which can deepen research skills and open doors to specialised professional roles. You could also pursue a Master of Commerce, Master of Economics, or other business-related postgraduate programs at Macquarie, building expertise in areas like finance, economic policy, strategy, or consulting — or even laying the groundwork for a future in research or academia.