Bachelor of Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie University is a three-year degree for students who are genuinely curious about how the world works — from why markets behave the way they do, to how government decisions shape everyday life. It’s a great fit if you enjoy working with numbers, asking big questions, and using data to make sense of real economic issues in Australia and beyond.

Curriculum Structure

First Year
Your first year is about building a strong, confident foundation. You’ll be introduced to core ideas in microeconomics and macroeconomics, learning how individuals, businesses and governments make decisions, and how those decisions interact across the economy. Alongside this, business statistics helps you get comfortable with data and patterns, so you can start thinking like an economist early on. You’ll also have room for a couple of flexible units, giving you the freedom to explore interests outside pure economics.

Second Year
In second year, things start to feel more applied and analytical. You’ll dig deeper into economic thinking through microeconomic and macroeconomic analysis, while econometrics introduces you to the tools economists actually use to test ideas with real data. This is where theory meets evidence. You’ll also begin choosing economics electives — whether you’re curious about financial systems, labour markets, inequality or other real-world issues — allowing you to shape the direction of your degree.

Third Year
Your final year is where everything comes together. Core units focus on current economic issues and macroeconomic policy, encouraging you to think critically about today’s biggest economic challenges. At the same time, advanced electives let you specialise in areas like environmental economics, international finance or health economics. By the end of the year, you’ll be working more independently, thinking more strategically, and preparing for either professional roles or further study.

Focus Areas
Throughout the degree, you’ll develop a solid grounding in economic theory while building strong skills in data analysis, econometrics, market analysis and policy evaluation.

What You’ll Graduate With
By the time you finish, you’ll be able to confidently interpret economic data, assess the impact of policies, break down complex economic problems, and clearly communicate your insights — skills that are valuable across a wide range of industries.

Professional Relevance
This degree is designed with the real world in mind. The skills you build — quantitative analysis, critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making — are exactly what employers look for in fields like consulting, finance, government and research. With Macquarie’s emphasis on applied learning and optional work-integrated opportunities, you’ll gain experience using economics in practical, meaningful ways, not just studying it in theory.

Reputation and Employability
Macquarie University has a strong global reputation and is consistently ranked among the world’s leading universities. Its economics and business disciplines are well respected, and graduates are known for being analytical, work-ready and adaptable. Thanks to strong industry connections and a focus on practical skills, Macquarie economics graduates are well regarded by employers both in Australia and internationally.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie is designed to help you step beyond textbook learning and really engage with the economic forces that shape everyday life — from how markets allocate scarce resources to how policy decisions affect welfare and fairness. Through your studies you’ll build practical, career-ready skills in applying economic reasoning to real issues, gaining confidence in analysing and interpreting how modern economies operate, trade and grow. This isn’t just abstract theory: the program centres your learning around the economic problems and questions that matter in business, government and society today. In doing so, it prepares you to move smoothly into roles where you can contribute meaningfully from day one:

Experiential learning opportunities in this program include:

Applying economic tools and frameworks to understand real-world economic environments, including markets, growth, and trade.
Analysing the role of prices and markets in allocating limited resources — a foundational skill employers value in economics, policy and business roles.
Exploring policy interventions and economic outcomes, helping you tie classroom theory to the decisions that shape communities and industries.
Developing practical analytical capabilities through core study areas like econometrics, economic policy, and industrial organisation, which equip you to tackle real data and economic questions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

One of the most reassuring things about studying the Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie University is where it can take you. Graduates don’t just leave with theory — they step into real, meaningful careers because they’ve built the kind of analytical, data-driven and problem-solving skills employers actually look for. You’ll find Macquarie economics alumni working as economic analysts, business consultants, policy advisers and data specialists across finance, government and industry. Others choose to deepen their expertise through further study in finance, analytics or research.

What this means for you while you’re studying:

You won’t be figuring out your future on your own. Macquarie offers strong career support from day one, with help on resumes, interview preparation, internships and employer networking specifically geared towards business and economics students. Through Macquarie Student Employment, you can even be matched with part-time, casual or graduate roles while you study or soon after you graduate. On top of that, the PACE program gives you real-world experience built directly into your degree — something employers notice well before graduation.

Connections that matter:

Macquarie has long-standing relationships with organisations across business, finance and government. These partnerships translate into practical opportunities — work placements, industry projects and networking experiences that help you understand how economics is used in the real world and open doors to future roles.

Skills employers trust:

Studying economics at Macquarie means learning how to think critically, analyse data, and make sense of complex economic and business problems. These are skills that transfer easily across industries, whether you’re interested in corporate strategy, public policy or financial analysis. The focus on applied learning and industry-linked experiences means what you learn feels relevant, not abstract.

Where it can lead next:

If you decide you want to go further, Macquarie offers clear academic pathways beyond the bachelor’s degree. Many graduates move into postgraduate study such as a Master of Economics, Applied Finance or Business Analytics, while others pursue honours or research degrees leading to PhD study. These options allow you to specialise, build deeper expertise and prepare for advanced analytical, research or policy-focused careers.

In short, the Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie isn’t just about studying how economies work — it’s about giving you the confidence, experience and direction to turn that knowledge into a future you can genuinely build on.