Bachelor of Economics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Tasmania

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Economics at the University of Tasmania is a three-year degree designed for curious thinkers who want to understand how the world actually works. If you’re interested in how people make choices, how businesses respond to change, and how governments shape society through policy, this course gives you the tools to explore those questions in a practical, real-world way. It’s especially well suited to students who enjoy working with data, thinking critically about current issues, and applying ideas to challenges like sustainability, inequality, and market behaviour.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 is all about building confidence and learning to think like an economist. You’ll be introduced to core economic ideas and the tools professionals use every day through units such as Introduction to Behavioural Economics, Introduction to Markets and the Economy, and Data Analysis for Business. You’ll start to see how economic thinking explains everyday decisions — from consumer choices to business strategies — while becoming comfortable working with numbers and evidence.

In Year 2, things get more analytical and more applied. You’ll explore how economies function at a broader level and how policy decisions affect real people and communities. Units like Public Policy and Welfare, Growth and Development, and Introduction to Econometrics help you connect theory to real data, sharpening your ability to analyse issues such as inequality, environmental challenges, and global economic change.

By Year 3, you’re ready to specialise and apply everything you’ve learned. You’ll focus on advanced units and your chosen major, whether that’s Economics of Business Strategy, Agriculture and Food Economics, or other specialised areas. Many students complete a capstone or applied project at this stage, giving you a chance to tackle real economic problems in a way that feels like your first step into professional practice.

Focus Areas

You can tailor the degree to match your interests by choosing between Industry, Policy and Business Strategy or Society and Environment, allowing you to explore economics through the lens that matters most to you.

What You’ll Graduate With

By the end of the degree, you’ll be able to analyse economic problems using data, understand how policies shape outcomes, and communicate your insights clearly and confidently — skills that are valuable across government, business, and the non-profit sector.

Industry Relevance

This isn’t a purely theoretical degree. The program is shaped with input from industry and government, so what you learn reflects what employers actually need. You’ll graduate with strong analytical skills, experience working with real data, and the ability to think critically about complex issues — all highly sought-after qualities in today’s job market.

Reputation and Employability

The University of Tasmania’s solid standing in global rankings adds weight to your qualification and supports your future career prospects. Graduating from a well-regarded institution gives employers confidence in your skills, wherever your economics career takes you.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re looking for a degree that doesn’t just teach you economic theory but actually helps you experience economics in the real world, the Bachelor of Economics at the University of Tasmania is built around exactly that. You’ll learn how economies work by tackling real issues — from trade and sustainable energy to policy and social challenges — and you’ll be supported to step out of the lecture theatre and into practical opportunities that build confidence and career-ready skills. The program blends analytical thinking with real contexts so that by the time you graduate, you won’t just understand how decisions are made — you’ll have evidence of doing economics in action. It’s a very human way to grow your capability and make yourself genuinely job-ready.

Here’s how the Bachelor of Economics integrates experiential learning opportunities into your studies:

Global study experience (UniGO: Global Opportunity Program) — a fully-funded, three-week experience in Southeast Asia where you work on sustainability-focused projects while progressing your degree.
Exchange study overseas — the chance to live and learn at one of over 150 partner universities for up to a year, with tuition waived and studies counting toward your degree.
Work Integrated Learning through the Business Placement Program — placements arranged by the university where you work on real business or policy-related projects in government, non-profit, private or other organisational settings.
Student Ambassador Program — structured leadership and engagement experience that helps you build communication, teamwork and networking skills while representing the university and connecting with communities.
Flexible online and on-campus study options — giving you varied learning environments and modes that support practical engagement beyond traditional classroom settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

If you’re drawn to understanding how economies really work — and how decisions affect people, businesses, and communities — the Bachelor of Economics at the University of Tasmania sets you up with skills that stay valuable long after graduation.

Graduates from this degree move into roles where strong thinking and smart analysis matter. That includes careers like Economist, Policy Analyst, Economic Consultant, or Research Analyst, as well as roles across finance, government, public administration, international development, and sustainability-focused organisations. In short, you’re learning skills that travel well across industries and over time.

What this means for you in practice

You won’t be left to figure out your career on your own. The university’s Career Connect and Careers and Employment Services are there to support you at every stage — helping you shape your CV, practise interviews, find part-time work, and make real connections with employers. Career fairs, workshops, and job listings are all designed to help you feel confident stepping into graduate roles.

You’ll also get the chance to learn beyond the classroom. Through work-integrated learning and business placement opportunities, you can gain hands-on experience in real workplaces. This kind of exposure helps you understand how economic theory plays out in the real world — and it’s exactly the kind of experience employers look for on a graduate resume.

The Tasmanian School of Business and Economics maintains strong links with local and national organisations, which helps keep your studies grounded in current industry needs. That means what you’re learning stays relevant to today’s job market, not just the textbook.

And the outlook is encouraging. Economic skills continue to be in demand, with roles such as economists and policy analysts expected to grow over the coming years. It’s a good sign that the capabilities you develop here will remain useful as your career evolves.

You’ll also have flexibility in how you study. Whether you prefer learning on campus in Hobart or studying online, the program is designed to fit around your life.

Looking ahead

If you decide you want to take your studies further, this degree gives you clear next steps. You can move into an Honours year in Economics to strengthen your research skills, or continue into postgraduate study in areas like economics, business, or public policy. For students interested in research or academic pathways, higher research degrees are also an option.

Overall, the Bachelor of Economics at the University of Tasmania is about more than just earning a qualification. It’s about building confidence in how you think, analyse, and make sense of the world — whether you head straight into a career or choose to keep growing academically.