Bachelor of Economics
Connect with your world
Economists study the world through the analysis of decision-making in households, businesses and broader society. They examine details and put pieces together, always striving to understand the ‘big picture’.
Armed with these insights, economists can give expert advice on business strategy, understand the background behind the news, influence public policy for a better world, and make informed personal financial decisions.
What will you do?
Our Bachelor of Economics sets you up to understand and shape our economy's future. You will:
- learn how to break down complex issues into resolvable questions
- discover advanced techniques for analysing and managing data
- study how maths and statistics are applied to economics
- explore matters relating to the growth and stability of the whole economic system
- investigate social issues such as inequality, housing affordability, environmental management and depleting natural resources.
There are also opportunities for professional internships in Adelaide, other Australian cities and overseas.
Where could it take you?
Economics graduates go on to all sorts of exciting careers. You might be a high-stakes stockbroker, banker, or financial planner, a data analyst in a government agency or health economist with a pharmaceutical group. You could be a demand planner in a big wine company. Perhaps you’ll end up working in journalism, foreign affairs or mobile game development.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte. You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 314141 |
|---|---|
| 2023 CSP ATAR | 69.55 |
| 2023 CSP IB | 25.25 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 75 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 27.5 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | 65.35 |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | 82.3 | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | 99.7 | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 69.55 |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | 84.83 | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 99.95 | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 65 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
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Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Higher Education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)14 32.6% (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/A (C) Work and life experience
(admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)<5 N/A (D) Recent secondary education: - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
17 39.5% - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
N/A N/A - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
<5 N/A International students 6 14.0% All students 43 100.0% - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
Ready to Apply?
Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.
Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.
ApplyFees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $14,285
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
Careers
Career Readiness
This degree provides a great foundation for a wide range of careers. Recent graduates have been employed by trading and merchant banks, stockbrokers, insurance companies, accounting firms, financial planners, infrastructure and utility companies, manufacturers and distributors and a wide range of federal and state government organisations. Other employment opportunities include journalism, teaching, foreign affairs and international consulting.
Completion of an honours degree opens up more options for specialist positions in economics, including in government and business.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Industry Placement
Work placement can include internships.
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Economic Researcher; Economist; Export / Import trade; Government or Corporate Policy Adviser; International Government and Trade Policy Adviser; International Trade or Business Analyst; Banker; Business Data Analyst; Commodities or Futures Trader; Diplomatic corps ...
Degree Structure
The Bachelor of Economics program includes compulsory courses designed to give students a solid understanding of economics, plus a selection of optional courses.
The compulsory courses make up half of the program and include economic principles, applied economics and econometrics.
The other half of the program consists of optional or elective courses. Students can choose from further economics courses (for example big data, international economics, international trade, environmental economics, human resources economics, development economics, behavioural economics) or courses from other disciplines including accounting, finance, international studies, management, politics, marketing, geography, history, languages, mathematics, or computer science. In this way, the Bachelor of Economics will give students the opportunity to pursue one or more areas of interest outside of economics.
The optional Honours (fourth) year involves the writing of a research report or thesis together with advanced coursework in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics.
Areas of Specialisation
In addition to the core studies for the Bachelor of Economics, a second major may be taken from the following:
- Financial Economics
- Public Policy
- International Economic Development.
A minor in Financial Services is also available.
Example Study Plan
| Year Level 1 | |
|---|---|
| Core courses | ECON 1012: Principles of Economics I ECON 1008: Data Analytics I ECON 1005: Introduction to Mathematical Economics I or ECON 1010: Mathematical Economics I or approved Economics Level I mathematics course * ECON 1002: Australia in the Global Economy I or ECON 1009 International Financial Institutions & Markets I or ECON 1013 Using Big Data for Economic and Social Problems I |
| Electives | Four level 1 electives not already taken and chosen from: ECON 1002: Australia in the Global Economy I ECON 1009: International Financial Institutions and Markets I ECON 1010: Mathematical Economics I ECON 1013: Using Big Data for Economic and Social Problems I Courses from other disciplines offered within the University |
| Year Level 2 | |
| Core courses | ECON 2507: Intermediate Macroeconomics II ECON 2513: Global Economic History II ECON 2514: Managerial Economics II ECON 2515: Intermediate Applied Econometrics II |
| Electives | Four level II electives not already taken and chosen from: ECON 2500: International Trade and Investment Policy II ECON 2502: East Asian Economies II ECON 2508: Financial Economics II ECON 2511: Behavioural Economics II Courses from other disciplines offered within the University |
| Year Level 3 | |
| Core courses | ECON 3525: Economic Policy Analysis III ECON 3530: Applied Econometrics III Plus two Level III courses from the Economics courses: ECON 3500: Resource and Environmental Economics ECON 3501: Development Economics III ECON 3503: Game Theory III ECON 3506: International Trade III ECON 3508: Public Economics III ECON 3510: International Finance III ECON 3511: Money, Banking and Financial Markets III ECON 3519: Advanced Mathematical Economics III ECON 3528: Human Resources Economics III |
| Electives | Four level III electives from the Economics courses or from other disciplines offered within the University, including the following (subject to availability and approval): PROF 3500: Undergraduate Professions Internship PROF 3501: Undergraduate Professions Internship Overseas |
| Notes: This is an indicative study plan and subject to change. * Students who have not completed Year 12 Maths or equivalent should take Introduction to Mathematical Economics I concurrently with Principles of Economics I in the first semester of first year. Students who have completed Year 12 Maths or equivalent may enrol in Mathematical Economics I or another approved Economics Level I mathematics course. |
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Assessment
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Last updated: Thursday, 6 Jun 2024
