Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Arts

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Sydney

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney is perfect if you’re curious about how economies work and how people and societies make sense of the world. You’ll gain a strong foundation in economic thinking — from microeconomics and econometrics to macroeconomic policy — while diving into an Arts major that matches your passions, whether that’s history, politics, languages, or something else entirely. It’s a program that balances analytical sharpness with creative, cultural insight.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
You’ll start by getting to grips with the fundamentals of economics through units like Microeconomics and Introductory Econometrics, learning to interpret data and understand market behaviour. At the same time, you’ll begin your Arts major, exploring subjects that spark your curiosity, and dip into electives that stretch your thinking. This year is all about building a strong foundation and finding your feet at university.

Year 2
Your economics toolkit expands with units like Macroeconomics and intermediate econometrics, where theory meets real-world applications — think policy impact and economic modelling. Your Arts major also moves into deeper, 2000-level study, helping you develop critical thinking and analytical skills. You’ll also have the chance to pick a minor from an interdisciplinary pool, giving your studies an extra layer of perspective.

Year 3
Now it’s time to specialise. In economics, higher-level units explore complex issues such as global markets and environmental economics. Your Arts major takes you into 3000-level study, where research, creativity, and independent thought become central. Your minor continues to add a unique dimension, while collaborative projects across disciplines help you connect your learning in new ways.

Year 4
This final year gives you flexibility to shape your own pathway. You can choose electives that link economics to areas like policy, media, or international development, while finishing your Arts major with advanced units that showcase your depth of understanding. By the end, you’ll graduate with a strong, well-rounded portfolio that highlights both analytical skills and cultural insight, ready for whatever comes next.

Focus Areas
A blend of economic foundations, humanities inquiry, cultural insight, and interdisciplinary exploration.

Learning Outcomes
You’ll finish this degree able to think critically about economic systems, analyse data confidently, communicate clearly, and connect ideas across societies, cultures, and global issues.

Professional Alignment
This degree isn’t just academic — it’s practical. The economics component prepares you for careers in policy, research, consulting, and finance, while your Arts studies build communication and critical thinking skills valued by employers everywhere. Essentially, you’ll graduate as someone who can analyse, articulate, and adapt — exactly what employers are looking for.

Reputation & Employability
The University of Sydney is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and in Australia, recognised for excellence in both social sciences and the arts. That means your degree carries real weight, whether you step into the public sector, creative industries, corporate roles, or further study.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney isn’t just about learning ideas — it’s about using them in the real world. Over four years, you’ll dive into economics while exploring the wider world of humanities and social sciences, so you’re not just analysing data or policy, but also understanding people, culture, and society. You’ll get to shape your degree around your passions with majors and a minor of your choice, and build practical skills through flexible units that challenge you intellectually and professionally. This isn’t a program where you just memorise concepts — you’ll be applying what you learn through projects, workshops, and opportunities to experience the world in different ways, so you graduate ready to think critically, communicate clearly, and tackle real career challenges.

Here’s how the program brings learning to life:

Open Learning Environment (OLE) units give you hands-on experiences to grow skills like persuasion, project management, ethical reasoning, and entrepreneurial thinking through interactive workshops and practical exercises.
Sydney Global Mobility opens doors to study abroad — for a semester, a full year, or short-term programs — at partner universities in over 40 countries. It’s a powerful way to see your learning in action in new cultural and academic settings.
Flexible majors and minors let you tailor your study around your interests — whether that’s economics, politics, history, languages, digital culture, or other humanities and social sciences — so your degree feels personally meaningful and professionally relevant.
Advanced Economics pathway is available for students who meet the criteria, sharpening your analytical and research skills and preparing you for honours or deeper study.
Interdisciplinary and elective units encourage you to step beyond traditional boundaries and engage with contemporary issues, giving your learning direct connection to the world around you.

If you’re after a degree where you don’t just learn ideas but actively connect them across contexts, cultures, and disciplines, this program is designed for exactly that.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Choosing the Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney gives you a versatile foundation that employers really value. It’s a unique combination — you’ll gain sharp economic and analytical skills while also building a broad understanding of culture, society, and human behaviour. That mix makes you stand out in today’s job market, and graduates often find themselves in roles like economic analyst, policy advisor, business consultant, or researcher in both the public and private sectors. Essentially, you’ll be equipped to do meaningful work across government, business, and international organisations.

Here’s how the University of Sydney supports you along the way:

Career Services and Support: From day one, the University’s Careers Centre is there to help you plan your path, sharpen your resume, practice interviews, find internships or vacation work, and connect with employers right on campus. These supports don’t stop at graduation — you’ll continue to have guidance as you step confidently into the workforce.

Real‑World Experience: You’ll have plenty of chances to get hands-on experience through industry projects, personalised career planning programs, and even entrepreneurship opportunities. These experiences are invaluable when it comes to standing out in job applications.

Graduate Outcomes: Sydney graduates are highly sought after, with strong employment rates and employer satisfaction that reflect the real-world value of your degree.

Industry Connections: Through events, initiatives, and projects, you’ll be able to network with professionals, tackle real challenges, and build connections that can often lead to internships or full-time roles.

Further Academic Progression: This degree also opens doors for further study. Many graduates choose Honours in Economics or their Arts major, gaining advanced research experience that makes them competitive for specialist roles or postgraduate programs. If you’re drawn to deeper academic research, you could even progress to a master’s or PhD in economics, public policy, international relations, business, or related areas — whether at Sydney or elsewhere.