Bachelor of Economics/Arts

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Arts at UNSW is built for students who want both sharp economic thinking and a deep understanding of people, culture, and ideas. It suits curious minds who want practical analytical skills alongside the freedom to explore languages, humanities, or social sciences — and graduate with two powerful perspectives on how the world works.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1: You start by grounding yourself in how economies function, studying core subjects like Introductory Microeconomics and Introductory Macroeconomics, while also sampling Arts foundation courses that introduce critical thinking and academic writing. This first year is about learning how to question assumptions, analyse choices, and see economic issues through social and cultural lenses.

Year 2: As confidence builds, you move into more applied economics through courses such as Econometrics and Intermediate Microeconomics, where data and real-world evidence come to the forefront. At the same time, your Arts major deepens, whether that’s politics, international relations, history, languages, or another field that shapes how you interpret economic outcomes.

Year 3: This year brings sharper focus and independence. Advanced economics options let you explore areas like public policy or international trade, while Arts courses push you to connect theory with real social issues through research-driven subjects and major-specific projects.

Year 4: You begin integrating both degrees more deliberately. Economics electives encourage applied thinking and problem-solving, while higher-level Arts courses challenge you to debate, analyse, and communicate complex ideas clearly — skills that employers consistently value.

Year 5: The final year is about synthesis and confidence. Capstone-style Arts courses and advanced economics studies help you draw together everything you’ve learned, preparing you to step into careers or further study with strong analytical judgment and a broad global outlook.

Focus Areas: Economic analysis, data and policy insight, social and cultural understanding, critical thinking, global perspectives

Learning Outcomes: Confident economic reasoning, strong data interpretation, clear communication, ethical and global awareness, adaptable problem-solving skills

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
This degree meets the academic expectations for economics training recognised by industry and government employers, giving graduates a solid foundation for roles in policy, finance, consulting, research, and further professional study.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
UNSW consistently performs strongly in QS and Times Higher Education rankings, particularly for economics, social sciences, and graduate employability — meaning this combined degree is well respected by employers both in Australia and internationally.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What really sets the UNSW Bachelor of Economics / Arts apart is how intentionally it prepares you for life beyond university. This double degree isn’t just about learning theories in a lecture theatre — it’s about gaining the confidence, experience, and perspective you need to step into the working world with clarity. You’ll develop strong economic thinking alongside the creativity, communication, and critical insight that come from arts disciplines, all while actively building your professional identity during your studies. By the time many students graduate, they don’t just understand how the world works — they’ve already started working within it.

One of the biggest strengths of this program is the range of hands-on experiences woven throughout the degree. Through Career Accelerator programs, you’ll have opportunities to connect with mentors, build your professional skills, and learn how industries actually operate, helping you feel more prepared and self-assured as you plan your next steps.

You can also take part in internships that place you in real organisations, where you’ll apply both your economic knowledge and arts-based skills to practical challenges. These experiences give you valuable insight into workplace dynamics and help you understand how your studies translate into real roles and responsibilities.

Alongside this, industry networking events and mentoring opportunities allow you to meet professionals, alumni, and potential employers while you’re still studying — often giving you guidance, connections, and inspiration that shape your career direction.

Beyond formal programs, student-led societies and activities offer a space to develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in ways that feel genuinely relevant to professional life. Whether you’re organising events, collaborating on initiatives, or taking on leadership roles, you’re building experience that matters.

Altogether, the UNSW Bachelor of Economics / Arts helps you graduate with more than a qualification — it helps you leave with confidence, practical experience, and a clearer sense of where you’re headed next.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Arts at UNSW leave with a rare mix of analytical strength and human insight — the ability to understand data, markets and policy, while also thinking critically about society, culture and people. This combination opens doors to roles such as Economist, Policy or Research Analyst, Business or Data Analyst, and Consultant, across both public and private sectors.

Here’s what this means for you:

Career support built into UNSW life: You’ll have access to UNSW’s dedicated careers and employability services, including career coaching, employer events, resume support and internship guidance — all designed to help you translate your degree into real-world opportunities.
Strong employer recognition: UNSW economics graduates are well regarded for their quantitative skills and economic reasoning, while the Arts component adds communication, writing and critical thinking skills employers consistently look for.
Industry and public-sector pathways: Graduates commonly move into roles across finance, consulting, government departments, policy organisations, NGOs and research institutions, reflecting UNSW’s close engagement with industry and the public sector.
Flexible, future-proof outcomes: Because the degree spans economics and the humanities or social sciences, you’re not locked into one narrow path — you graduate with skills that adapt as industries change.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this double degree, many students choose to deepen their expertise through further study at UNSW. Depending on your interests, pathways include Honours in Economics or Arts, which can strengthen research skills and open doors to policy or academic careers. Graduates also commonly progress into postgraduate programs such as a Master of Economics, Master of Public Policy, Master of International Relations, or other specialised coursework degrees offered by UNSW. If you’re considering research-focused or leadership roles down the line, this degree provides a strong and flexible foundation to build on.