Bachelor of Economics
Overview
Learn how to question, analyse, model and predict human behaviour.
UQ is one of a select few universities in Australia to offer the Bachelor of Economics.
Our School of Economics is Queensland’s most experienced and largest, with more than 70 teaching and research staff.
This degree will help you answer questions such as:
- How can economies protect themselves against climate change?
- What are the benefits of free trade, and do economic sanctions work?
- How can the government encourage innovation?
Initially, you'll develop core economic skills through a set of compulsory courses. Then you'll study either econometrics or how economics shapes areas such as public policy, business and industry, trade and the environment.
When you graduate, you'll be in high demand. You could work as an analyst, adviser, consultant, economist or researcher in a huge range of industries.
Our past graduates have worked in areas including consulting, infrastructure, environmental management, international finance, investment and trade, natural resources, health, treasury and statistics.
Program highlights
- Study at the only institution in Queensland to offer the Bachelor of Economics.
- Benefit from a research-intensive focus that ensures content is engaging and relevant today and into the future.
- Develop a range of statistical and analytical tools you can use to solve policy and decision-making challenges.
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Economics and Public Policy
- Economics of Strategy and Behaviour
- International and Financial Economics
- Quantitative Analysis
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Online study
- Research experience
- Workshops
Placements and work experience
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Introductory Microeconomics
- Tools of Economic Analysis
- Introductory Macroeconomics
- Economics and public policy
Dual programs
Double your skills and your opportunities with a dual degree. You can study the Bachelor of Economics as a part of these dual programs:
- Bachelors of Business Management / Economics
- Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) / Economics
- Bachelors of Computer Science / Economics
- Bachelors of Economics / Laws (Honours)
- Bachelors of Economics / Science
- Bachelors of Mathematics / Economics
- Bachelors of Economics / Arts
- Bachelors of Commerce / Economics
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Depending on which major you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Economic consultant
- Investment analyst
- Business development manager
- Regulatory affairs officer
- Economic analyst
- Industry engagement manager
- Business analyst
- International trade manager
- Policy analyst
- Energy and resource economist
Professional memberships
When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.
- Australian Computer Society
- Australian Human Resources Institute
- Australasian Institute of Banking and Finance
- Australian Institute of Management
- Australian Marketing Institute
- Economic Society of Australia
- Financial Services Institute of Australasia
- Market Research Society of Australia
- Securities Institute of Australia
The field of economics is one that directly speaks to those who make decisions for the population. If we can provide a voice strong enough to those who will listen, then we can be a voice for change.
The best things about the Bachelor of Economics would be the practicality and the versatility – how it further prepares us to be analytical individuals ready for the corporate world. The program ensures all students obtain a holistic understanding of economics; be it macro, micro, or analytical skills and so much more.
I noticed the injustices happening around the world, and I wanted to have the knowledge and skills to address those issues.
The field of economics is one that directly speaks to those who make decisions for the population. If we can provide a voice strong enough to those who will listen, then we can be a voice for change.
The best things about the Bachelor of Economics would be the practicality and the versatility – how it further prepares us to be analytical individuals ready for the corporate world. The program ensures all students obtain a holistic understanding of economics; be it macro, micro, or analytical skills and so much more.
I noticed the injustices happening around the world, and I wanted to have the knowledge and skills to address those issues.
Events
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Stories
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Careers
What can you do with an economics degree?
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Careers
Economics jobs for human connection and impact
4-minute read
Stories
See all storiesCareers
What can you do with an economics degree?
14-minute read
Careers
Economics jobs for human connection and impact
4-minute read
Entry requirements
Prerequisites
- General English subject (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C)
Prerequisites
- General English subject (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Mathematical Methods (Units 3 & 4, C)
Entry score threshold
| ATAR / Rank | IB |
|---|---|
| 84 | 30.5 |
These are the lowest adjusted scores we made an offer to in Semester 1, 2024. Entry scores are based on the most recent Semester 1 intake and are updated in April each year. Meeting the entry score threshold doesn't guarantee admission.
Guarantee your place at UQ: If you meet our guaranteed minimum ATAR you could secure an offer for your preferred program.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Bachelor of Economics are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Entry score range
This table shows the range of entry scores for recent secondary students offered a place in the B Economics for Semester 1, 2024
| Without adjustments | With adjustments | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest | 98.95 | 98.95 |
| Median | 91.5 | 93.5 |
| Lowest | 82.35 | 84.35 |
Who you'll study with
Here's a snapshot of our student intake for this program in Semester 1, 2024:
| Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
(A) Higher education study | 5 | 11.1% |
(B) Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | 0 | 0% |
(C) Work and life experience | 0 | 0% |
| (D) Recent secondary education | ||
| 17 | 37.8% |
| 0 | 0% |
| 0 | 0% |
International students | 23 | 51.1% |
Total | 45 | 100% |
"<5" — The number of students is less than 5.
N/A — Students not accepted in this category.
N/P — Not published. The number is hidden to protect the privacy of students in other cells.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Majors
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
The major focuses on the analytical tools you'll need to design and evaluate public policies. Core courses examine public finance and regulatory economics, while electives include advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and a range of policy courses.
Graduates usually work in public policy, government bodies, not-for-profit organisations, private enterprise and politics.
You will acquire the ability to apply advanced and cutting-edge economic insights to analyse problems and create solutions. You will learn how to interpret, advise and lead in situations involving strategic competition between individuals, teams, businesses and nations. You will understand new ways of collecting and interpreting data.
The major will also provide an opportunity to learn behavioural economics insights about how people behave in the real world, and why this matters. You will gain a deep and cutting-edge knowledge of strategy and behaviour from an economic perspective. This will position you exceptionally well to play a leading part in the future direction of business, government and society.
You'll learn to see the big picture and think beyond borders. You’ll study banking and international trade theories, and gain an understanding of financial systems and the role they play in economies. You'll also get to choose from advanced-level electives in areas including macroeconomics, econometrics and financial management.
Graduates usually work in banking and financial institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and private enterprise
With its strong mathematical and modelling focus, this major will show you how to analyse problems clearly and based on evidence.
Advanced courses cover areas including statistics, econometric theory and productivity and efficiency analysis.
Graduates usually work in research consultancies, management organisations, private business, and government enterprise.
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
The major focuses on the analytical tools you'll need to design and evaluate public policies. Core courses examine public finance and regulatory economics, while electives include advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and a range of policy courses.
Graduates usually work in public policy, government bodies, not-for-profit organisations, private enterprise and politics.
You will acquire the ability to apply advanced and cutting-edge economic insights to analyse problems and create solutions. You will learn how to interpret, advise and lead in situations involving strategic competition between individuals, teams, businesses and nations. You will understand new ways of collecting and interpreting data.
The major will also provide an opportunity to learn behavioural economics insights about how people behave in the real world, and why this matters. You will gain a deep and cutting-edge knowledge of strategy and behaviour from an economic perspective. This will position you exceptionally well to play a leading part in the future direction of business, government and society.
You'll learn to see the big picture and think beyond borders. You’ll study banking and international trade theories, and gain an understanding of financial systems and the role they play in economies. You'll also get to choose from advanced-level electives in areas including macroeconomics, econometrics and financial management.
Graduates usually work in banking and financial institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and private enterprise
With its strong mathematical and modelling focus, this major will show you how to analyse problems clearly and based on evidence.
Advanced courses cover areas including statistics, econometric theory and productivity and efficiency analysis.
Graduates usually work in research consultancies, management organisations, private business, and government enterprise.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$16,059
2025
$16,059
2025
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $50,560
2025
AUD $50,560
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Bachelor of Economics are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
If your senior schooling is from outside Australia, you can submit your application to UQ. Or, if you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Bachelor of Economics is 2467.
Find out more about applying for undergraduate study
If your senior schooling is from Australia
Submit your application to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre if you're an international student who is currently studying:
- Australian Year 12 (in Australia or another country), or
- the International Baccalaureate in Australia.
The QTAC code for the Bachelor of Economics is 714001.
Applying through QTAC
All domestic applications should be submitted to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
The QTAC code for the Bachelor of Economics is 714001.
Important dates
If you’re studying Year 12 in Australia, go to the QTAC website to check the closing date for this program.
If you’re applying to UQ, the closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
To check the closing date for this program, go to the QTAC website.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Admissions schemes
Applying to university can be both exciting and daunting, which is why we’ve tried to make the process as simple as we can.
We have several schemes in place to improve your chances of getting a place at UQ.
Pathway options
A rank or score doesn’t determine your potential.
If you're not offered a place in your first-choice program – or if you don't meet the entry requirements – you still have a number of options.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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