Bachelor of Economics (Honours)

1 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The UNSW Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is built for students who want to deeply understand how economies work and how economic thinking shapes real-world decisions. It’s ideal if you enjoy analysis, data, and problem-solving — and want to graduate with advanced research skills that set you apart for competitive careers or postgraduate study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year lays the foundation for how economists think and reason. Through courses like Principles of Microeconomics (ECON1101) and Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON1102), you’ll start connecting individual behaviour, markets, and government policy to global economic outcomes, while building confidence with economic data and basic modelling.

Focus Areas
Economic theory, data analysis, econometrics, public policy, global and financial economics

Learning Outcomes
Advanced economic reasoning, strong quantitative and data skills, independent research capability, clear written and analytical communication

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This degree is academically rigorous and highly respected by employers and postgraduate institutions alike, especially because of the honours research component that demonstrates independent thinking and analytical maturity.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
UNSW consistently ranks among the world’s leading universities for economics and business-related fields in major QS and Times Higher Education rankings, and its graduates are well regarded by employers for their analytical strength, adaptability, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UNSW, the Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is designed to feel personal, practical, and genuinely engaging — it’s not just an extra year of study, but a turning point where you begin to think and work like an economist. Instead of simply learning concepts, you start using them to ask meaningful questions, solve complex problems, and explore ideas that matter to you.

Throughout the honours year, you’ll build on your undergraduate foundation with advanced courses that challenge you to apply economic theory to real-world issues. Subjects like advanced microeconomics and macroeconomics push your analytical thinking further, helping you become more confident in tackling complex economic questions.

A major part of the experience is your independent honours thesis. With guidance from an experienced academic supervisor, you’ll choose a topic you’re genuinely curious about and see it through from start to finish. This is where your research, critical thinking, and communication skills really come together — and where many students discover what kind of economist they want to become.

You’ll also work closely with academics who are active researchers in areas such as econometrics, behavioural economics, and policy analysis. That close interaction gives you insight into how economics is actually practiced and opens your eyes to different career and research pathways.

Along the way, you’ll strengthen problem-solving and research skills that employers value across government, consulting, industry, and academia. You’ll also have opportunities to grow your professional network through UNSW’s career-focused initiatives, including mentoring and networking experiences that help connect your academic work to real-world careers.

If you’re looking for an honours year that feels supportive, intellectually challenging, and deeply hands-on — one that helps you grow into a confident, career-ready economist — this program delivers exactly that.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the UNSW Bachelor of Economics (Honours) leave with a strong analytical mindset and advanced research skills that open doors across government, industry, and academia. Alumni commonly move into roles such as economist, policy analyst, data or economic analyst, and research assistant, where their ability to work with complex data and economic theory really stands out.

Here’s what this means for you:

Career support built into UNSW: As a UNSW student, you’re supported by dedicated Business School career services, including career coaching, employer presentations, skills workshops, and structured opportunities to connect with industry and government organisations.
Strong industry and public-sector links: UNSW’s long-standing relationships with government departments, economic consultancies, financial institutions, and research organisations help students translate academic work into real-world impact.
Research-driven graduate outcomes: Completing an honours year signals to employers that you can manage independent projects, analyse data at a high level, and communicate insights clearly — skills that are highly valued across economics-related careers.
Globally recognised education: A UNSW economics honours qualification carries long-term value, particularly for students aiming for research-focused roles or competitive graduate pathways in Australia and internationally.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Economics (Honours), many students choose to continue into higher research degrees at UNSW. The honours year provides a direct and well-established pathway into postgraduate study such as a Master’s by Research or a PhD in Economics or related fields. For students considering an academic, policy, or research-intensive career, this progression allows you to deepen your specialisation while building on the research foundations developed during honours — all within a university known for its strong economics research culture.