Master of Philosophy (Economics, Finance and Property)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Curtin University Perth

Program Overview

The Master of Philosophy (Economics, Finance and Property) at Curtin University is a research-focused master's degree designed for students who want to develop advanced theoretical knowledge and research skills in economics, finance or property. It suits graduates aiming for careers as professional economists, finance or property specialists in the public or private sectors, as well as those planning to continue into academia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin their research journey by focusing on one of the three areas—Economics, Finance or Property—and developing advanced theoretical knowledge and associated research techniques. The course is primarily research-based, and Curtin states that coursework may also be undertaken where required to build the skills needed for the research project; the official course page does not specify fixed year-one unit names.

Year 2: Students progress toward completing their major research project, applying research methods to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, concepts and theories. They develop and communicate a sustained research argument and work toward research that makes an original contribution to knowledge and/or professional practice; no fixed year-two unit names are specified on the official course page.

Focus Areas: Economics, Finance and Property: students can specialise in one of these three areas while undertaking research and, where appropriate, coursework across related areas.

Learning Outcomes: Theoretical mastery: critically evaluate advanced theoretical knowledge and its application; Research capability: design, use and evaluate research methods while analysing complex information and problems; Original contribution: develop, evaluate and communicate research that contributes to knowledge or professional practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Business-school accreditation: Curtin Business School holds EQUIS and AACSB International accreditation and an EFMD Accredited MBA; Curtin describes these as international recognitions of the school's quality and professional standards. The university does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Master of Philosophy (Economics, Finance and Property).

Reputation (Employability Rankings): QS World University Rankings: Curtin reached 174th globally and 13th in Australia in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, its highest-ever position at the time. Graduate employment: Curtin reported being ranked number one in Western Australia for full-time undergraduate employment for the seventh consecutive year in the 2026 Good Universities Guide; this is a university-wide undergraduate measure and is not specific to this MPhil.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Curtin University’s Master of Philosophy (Economics, Finance and Property) gain practical research experience by undertaking an independent research project under academic supervision. The program is research-focused, allowing students to develop advanced research, analytical and communication skills while working within Curtin’s research environment and accessing specialist resources through the Faculty of Business and Law. Students can also engage with Curtin’s research centres and institutes relevant to economics, finance, property and related business disciplines:

Research Project: Students complete a substantial research thesis/project under supervision, applying advanced research methods to an original topic in their chosen field.
Research Training: Students develop skills in research design, critical analysis, academic writing, data interpretation and communicating research findings.
Economics and Finance Research: Research can be undertaken within Curtin’s broader economics and finance research environment, providing opportunities to investigate areas such as economic policy, financial markets, investment and applied economics.
Property Research: Students interested in property can undertake research related to property markets, valuation, development, investment, urban and real-estate issues.
Curtin Library: Students have access to Curtin Library’s extensive scholarly resources, databases, journals and research support services to support their thesis research.
Researcher Support: Curtin provides research students with academic and research-development support through its graduate research environment, helping them develop capabilities needed for further academic or professional research.
Research Facilities: Curtin’s Perth campus provides access to specialist research infrastructure and facilities supporting postgraduate research across business, economics, finance and related disciplines.
Industry and Research Connections: Curtin’s Faculty of Business and Law engages with industry, government and professional organisations, giving research students opportunities to connect their research interests with contemporary business and economic issues.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Philosophy (Economics, Finance and Property) develops advanced theoretical, analytical and research skills for students seeking careers as professional economists, finance specialists or property specialists across public and private-sector organisations, as well as academia. The research training also provides a strong foundation for students who want to progress into doctoral research and contribute original knowledge to their field.

Typical Job Roles: Economist, Financial Analyst, Property Specialist, Researcher.

Career Support and Employment Pathways:

Curtin Careers: Students can access one-to-one career consultations, career-pathway guidance, job-search strategies, resume support, interview preparation and networking advice through Curtin Careers.
UniHub: Provides access to employment opportunities, job-search resources, industry-specific career guides and professional-development resources, with career support continuing after graduation.
Industry Mentoring: Curtin's Industry Mentoring Program connects students with mentors working in their chosen field, helping them discuss career goals and understand professional pathways.
Employer Engagement: Recruit Curtin facilitates careers fairs, employer visits, information sessions, presentations, career-development workshops and other opportunities for employers to connect with students and graduates.

Employment Statistics and Salary Figures:

Employer Satisfaction: Curtin reports that the 2024 Australian Government QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey ranked employer satisfaction with Curtin graduates #1 among Western Australian universities. This is an employer-satisfaction measure rather than a course-specific employment rate.
Course-specific Employment Rate: Curtin's official MPhil course page does not state a specific employment rate for graduates of the Economics, Finance and Property program.
Course-specific Salary: Curtin's official sources do not state a specific graduate salary or median salary for this MPhil, so no unrelated salary figure is presented.

University–Industry Partnerships: Curtin's School of Accounting, Economics and Finance maintains close industry ties through advisory boards and academic staff, while its research environment includes the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre, an independent economic and social research organisation established with support from Bankwest, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Curtin also states that its applied research is supported by partnerships with industry, business and government to address real-world problems.

Research and Professional Value: The MPhil requires students to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and communicate research and make an original contribution to knowledge and/or professional practice. This advanced research capability can strengthen progression into specialist economics, finance and property roles as well as research-oriented careers.

Accreditation and Recognition: Curtin Business School is accredited by EQUIS and AACSB International, giving the wider business-school environment international recognition. Curtin's official information does not state that the Master of Philosophy (Economics, Finance and Property) itself carries a separate professional accreditation, so the school-level accreditations should not be interpreted as course-specific professional accreditation.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for professional economist, finance-specialist and property-specialist pathways in both the public and private sectors, as well as academic careers. The research-intensive nature of the qualification also positions graduates for further higher-degree research, particularly where their research interests align with Curtin's Economics, Finance and Property research areas.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MPhil, students can progress to Curtin's Doctor of Philosophy (Economics, Finance and Property), a research doctorate normally requiring three to four years full-time. Curtin specifically recognises a professional master's in economics, finance, property or a related field as one potential academic background for entry to the PhD, subject to the stated admission requirements and research capability.