Master of Economics

1 Year Blended Masters Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Master of Economics at UNSW is an intensive one-year postgraduate program designed for economics graduates and professionals who want to deepen their expertise in advanced economic theory, quantitative analysis and econometrics. It suits students aiming to strengthen their analytical and decision-making capabilities for careers across government, public policy, finance, consulting, industry and research, with flexible face-to-face and online study options.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: In the first year, students complete four core courses that establish advanced theoretical and quantitative expertise: Microeconomic Theory I, Macroeconomic Theory I, Mathematical Economics, and Empirical Method for Causal Inference. Students then tailor their learning through four electives such as Policy Applications of Behavioural Economics, Public Economics and Regulation, and Industrial Organisation, allowing them to develop specialist knowledge aligned with their professional goals.

Focus Areas: Microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, mathematical economics, causal inference, behavioural economics, public economics, regulation, industrial organisation, health economics, economic measurement and macroeconometrics.

Learning Outcomes: Advanced economic theory, quantitative analysis, analytical and critical thinking, econometric skills, data analysis, evidence-based decision-making, economic problem-solving, communication and professional leadership.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Professional preparation: The program develops advanced analytical, technical, communication and leadership capabilities for professional roles across government, public policy, finance, consulting, industry and research. Accreditation: UNSW's official Master of Economics page does not state a separate professional accreditation for this degree.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Global ranking: UNSW states that it is a global top 20 university in the QS World University Rankings 2024–2027. Business School reputation: UNSW Business School is part of the university's globally recognised business education environment and provides students with access to industry connections and a worldwide alumni network.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The UNSW Master of Economics is designed to connect advanced economic theory with practical analysis, real-world problem solving and professional experience. Students work with economic and business problems, analyse data, develop evidence-based solutions and strengthen communication through individual and team-based projects, while the program’s flexible blended delivery supports students balancing study with professional commitments.

Practical Projects & Team-Based Learning: The program explicitly includes individual and team-based projects, where students define economic and business problems, analyse data and propose evidence-based solutions. The curriculum also includes Empirical Method for Causal Inference, alongside advanced economics electives, giving students opportunities to apply quantitative methods to practical economic questions.
Industry Experiences: Through UNSW Business School Career Accelerator, Master of Economics students can undertake up to two for-credit industry experiences, including internships or global business practicums. These experiences are designed to complement coursework, build industry connections and develop professional skills.
Economic Modelling & Data Tools: Stata is available through UNSW's myAccess service for eligible Business School postgraduate coursework students, including students in the School of Economics. Stata supports statistical analysis, data management, regression, graphics, simulations and programming, providing a practical environment for quantitative economics work.
UNSW Business School Experimental Research Laboratory (BizLab): Students are part of an economics research environment that includes BizLab, a dedicated research facility for controlled experiments and simulations in business and economics. The laboratory contains 48 fixed touchscreen workstations, a 20-person negotiation table, laptops, movable dividers and a private observation area, with equipment for bio-physiological measurement.
Centre for Applied Economic Research (CAER): Students benefit from an academic environment connected to CAER, which focuses on applied economic research relevant to policy issues and builds links between UNSW academics, government, industry and public-sector communities.
Research & Industry Environment: The School of Economics hosts seminars, workshops and a visitor program that bring researchers and economic expertise into the academic community. Its research centres include the AGORA Centre for Market Design, ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research, Centre for Applied Economic Research and Manos Institute for Cognitive Economics.
UNSW Library & Research Resources: Business researchers have access to UNSW Library and subscriptions to a wide range of research databases, supporting quantitative analysis, economic research and evidence-based coursework.
Industry & Professional Network: The program connects students with UNSW Business School's industry and alumni networks, including more than 100,000 alumni worldwide. Officially identified potential employers for the degree include the Reserve Bank of Australia, Australian Treasury, Australian Bureau of Statistics, APRA, Productivity Commission, IMF, World Bank, OECD, NERA Economic Consulting, Deloitte Access Economics, Frontier Economics, Macquarie Group, CBA and BlackRock.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Economics is designed to help early- and mid-career professionals strengthen advanced economic, quantitative and analytical skills for progression across government, finance, consulting, industry and research. With specialised coursework, practical projects and opportunities for industry experience, graduates can apply economic analysis to complex policy and business decisions in Australia and internationally.

Typical Job Roles: Economist, Economic Researcher, Data & Quantitative Analyst, Policy Adviser.

Career Support & Employability:

Career Accelerator: UNSW Business School’s Career Accelerator provides professional development and work-experience opportunities, while the Master of Economics includes up to two for-credit industry experiences such as internships or global business practicums.
Career Services: UNSW Employability provides students with coaching, mentoring, career development resources, industry experiences and opportunities designed to build workplace readiness.
Professional Network: Students benefit from UNSW Business School’s industry and alumni networks, including more than 100,000 alumni worldwide.

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Employment Outcomes: UNSW is ranked #1 in Australia for Employment Outcomes and #46 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
Postgraduate Salary: UNSW domestic postgraduate coursework graduates recorded a $135,000 median salary three years after graduation, the highest among Go8 universities according to the 2025 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey.
Full-Time Employment: UNSW received a 5-star rating for full-time employment, with 80.9% of students employed full-time four months after graduating according to the 2026 Good Universities Guide.
Economics Demand: UNSW states that economists are experiencing stable employment growth across public and private sectors, with opportunities in government policy, finance, consulting, research and corporate strategy.

University–Industry Connections:

Industry Experience: The Master of Economics can include up to two for-credit industry experiences, including internships or global business practicums, allowing students to apply economic knowledge to professional settings.
Industry Network: UNSW Business School maintains strong industry connections and an alumni network of more than 100,000 people worldwide, supporting professional networking and career development.
Professional Exposure: The program is led by industry experts and uses practical projects in which students define economic and business problems, analyse data and develop evidence-based solutions.

Long-Term Accreditation Value:

AACSB Accreditation: UNSW Business School holds AACSB accreditation, with its most recent five-year accreditation awarded in July 2024 following international peer evaluation against rigorous standards.
EQUIS Accreditation: The Business School received a further five-year EQUIS accreditation in June 2025, its fourth consecutive successful review cycle.
International Recognition: These business-school accreditations provide an internationally recognised quality framework for the school’s education and research. The university does not state that the Master of Economics itself carries a separate professional accreditation.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can move into professional economist and specialist positions across government and public policy, finance and consulting, industry and corporate sectors, research and academia. The university also identifies pathways into roles such as health economist, behavioural economist, financial economist, macroeconomist, economic consultant and management consultant.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Master of Economics, students can pursue further studies in economics or related fields, including research-oriented postgraduate study and doctoral-level pathways. The program’s advanced training in economic theory, econometrics, quantitative analysis and research provides a foundation for students seeking to progress toward academic or research careers.