Bachelor of Economics (Honours)
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1 & 3
- Duration
- 1 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 4502
- CRICOS code 085136C
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ATAR/2025 lowest selection rank
- N/A View all admission criteria
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2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $17,000*
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2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $17,000*
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2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $57,000*
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2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $58,000*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
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Research-based program
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Leading academics
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Internship opportunities
Application closures for 2026
International applications for all undergraduate programs, as well as postgraduate programs offered by the faculties of Arts, Design & Architecture, Engineering (excluding Master of Information Technology and associated programs) and Science are now closed to New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) for 2026 intakes.
Postgraduate programs offered by the Business School and the faculties of Law & Justice and Medicine & Health remain open. Master of Information Technology (and associated programs) also remain open.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Take your economics expertise to the next level. The Bachelor of Economics (Honours) is a specialized one-year program that transitions you from consuming knowledge to producing it. You will move beyond standard coursework to master advanced econometric tools, theoretical frameworks and conduct independent research.
Designed for high-achieving graduates, this degree provides a competitive edge for leadership roles in government, industry and policy. Through the completion of a research thesis, you will demonstrate to future employers or PhD programs that you possess the analytical rigour, critical thinking, and project management skills required to design solutions that tackle the world's most complex challenges.
Key features
Transition from student to researcher
You will synthesise your analytical, creative, and communication skills to design, manage and execute an original research project from start to finish. This is your opportunity to contribute new knowledge to the field.
Master advanced economic tools
Undertake advanced coursework in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics that challenges the way you think. You will build a sophisticated toolkit for modelling complex data and forecasting trends - skills that are in critically short supply in the job market.
Become a high-impact graduate
Honours graduates are actively recruited by elite employers, including the Reserve Bank of Australia, Federal Treasury and top-tier consulting firms. It is also a pathway to PhD study and an academic career.
Why study at UNSW?
Join a world-class research community
UNSW is ranked as a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026), while our School of Economics is ranked #40 globally for Economics and Econometrics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). You won’t just learn from textbooks; you will conduct research alongside world-leading academics who advise governments, central banks and international organisations.
Tackle real-world problems
Our researchers are thought leaders in macroeconomic forecasting, climate policy, health economics, market design and behavioural insights. By working with them, you will learn to apply rigorous economic thinking to urgent issues, from inequality and inflation to technological disruption.
Accelerate your career
An Honours degree is a signal of quality. Our strong industry connections and the Career Accelerator program ensure you graduate with a professional network and the practical experience to step directly into high-level analyst and advisory roles.
Want to see more from UNSW Business School?
Entry requirements
Entry to the Honours program is competitive and based on academic merit.
- Prerequisites: This degree is open to students who have completed an undergraduate (pass) degree at UNSW or another institution
- WAM: To be competitive, you must have an overall weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70, with a discipline/major WAM of at least 70.
Note: Among recent successful applicants, the median WAM across all subjects was 80, and the median WAM in economics subjects was 82.
- Recommended background: Typically, successful applicants will have completed Microeconomics 2, Macroeconomics 2, Mathematical Economics and a third-year Econometrics course (or equivalent).
- Flexibility: Students who have not completed one or more of these courses are still welcome to apply, though successful applicants typically demonstrate strong aptitude in math-based courses.
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- The 2025 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025.
- The 2025 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
- The 2025 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2025 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
*The Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made, for this program, is based on a UNSW Gateway Early Conditional Offer.
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At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
This degree is open to students that have completed an undergraduate (pass) degree at UNSW or another institution. Entry to the program is competitive and offers are made based on academic merit and availability of supervisors.
A student must have an overall Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 70 with a discipline/major WAM of at least 70. Students with equivalent degrees, majors and average marks from other universities are eligible to apply. Among recent successful applicants, the median Weighted Average Mark (WAM) across all subjects is 80 and the median WAM in economics subjects is 82.
Typically, applicants will have completed Microeconomics 2, Macroeconomics 2, Mathematical Economics, and a third-year Econometrics course; or the equivalent courses of. Students who have not completed one or more of these courses are still welcome to apply, but successful applicants will typically have completed more math-based courses or have achieved higher WAMs.
What will I study?
UNSW is introducing a new academic calendar from 2028.
We are moving to a new flex-semester calendar. What does this mean for your studies?
The Honours year is an intensive, one-year program designed to build advanced capability in economic analysis.
Advanced coursework
You will complete four Honours-level courses that extend your undergraduate foundations. These include Advanced Microeconomic Analysis, Advanced Macroeconomic Analysis, a specialised quantitative methods course and an elective. These courses are designed to push your technical skills and lateral thinking abilities to a professional standard.
The Honours thesis
The centrepiece of the degree is your thesis an independent research project completed under the guidance of an academic supervisor. This is your chance to identify a significant economic question, design the methodology to answer it and present your findings. It serves as a professional portfolio piece, demonstrating your ability to synthesise theory, methods, and data to solve complex problems.
Find out more information on previous Honours thesis questions and how to identify a research topic and question.
Study areas
Economics
Econometrics
Business Economics (under the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours))
Future careers
An Honours degree is often a prerequisite for "graduate economist" roles in central banking and public policy institutions. It signals to employers that you possess superior analytical discipline and the ability to manage complex projects independently. Honours graduates work across the same diverse sectors as undergraduate economists but often enter at a higher level of responsibility.
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- Graduate economist: Design and evaluate economic policy in central banks, treasuries or regulatory bodies.
- Economic researcher: Conduct rigorous empirical studies to inform government strategy and public debate.
- Policy analyst: Use cost-benefit analysis and welfare economics to evaluate government programs.
Top employers:
- Federal & NSW Treasury
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Productivity Commission
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- Economic consultant: Solve antitrust, litigation and regulatory problems for corporate clients.
- Data scientist/analyst: Apply advanced econometric techniques to large datasets to uncover causal relationships.
- Management consultant: Solve complex structural problems for organisations using strategic frameworks.
Top employers:
- McKinsey & Company
- Deloitte Access Economics
- BCG
- BIS Oxford Economics
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- Actuary/risk analyst: Assess long-term financial risks using advanced statistical modelling.
- Investment analyst: Evaluate market dynamics and asset pricing to guide high-stakes portfolio decisions.
- Financial economist: Analyse asset prices, interest rates, and market volatility for financial institutions.
Top employers:
- Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)
- Commonwealth Bank
- Macquarie Group
Academic pathways
The Honours degree is an essential pathway to a PhD in Economics. Recent UNSW graduates have been accepted to doctoral programs at prestigious institutions including MIT, Yale, Oxford, London School of Economics and UC Berkeley.
How to apply
We encourage you to start planning your Honours year early.
- Key dates: Submit applications for Term 1 by the first week of December. Rolling conditional offers begin in mid-December.
- Study load: Full-time study is recommended to get the most out of the cohort experience, though part-time study is also possible in certain cases.
Required documentation
- Academic transcript: Current transcript in electronic format.
- Thesis proposal (300–600 words): This should identify a specific research question, explain why it is important (motivation) and outline how you plan to answer it (feasibility).
Tip: This proposal is a starting point and can be modified later. You are encouraged to review faculty research interests and speak with potential supervisors before applying. - Statement of purpose (optional): A cover letter highlighting your research interests and academic strengths.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 4
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
UNSW offers specific scholarships for high-achieving Honours students. We encourage you to explore the UNSW Scholarships page to see if you are eligible for support during your research year.
Progress starts here – at a world-leading university
Top 20 Worldwide
Ranked in the global top 20 for three consecutive years
QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
Winner of the AFR Most Employable University Award six years in a row
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025
Australia's #1 for Innovation
Highest number of startups and spinouts from university-developed tech
SCOPR report, 2024
I wanted to deeply understand how the world works, so I could contribute to solving key challenges.
