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- Meet the academic requirements for professional membership of the Economics Society of Australia.
- Study inflation, interest rates, competition, business strategy, maximisation of resources and the impact of decisions made by government.
- Prepare yourself for a career as a business analyst, economist, financial project manager, quantitative analyst, risk manager or statistician
- You can also study this major as part of QUT's new Bachelor of Business - International degree, which includes one year of compulsory overseas studies.
Highlights
- Meet the academic requirements for professional membership of the Economics Society of Australia.
- Study inflation, interest rates, competition, business strategy, maximisation of resources and the impact of decisions made by government.
- Prepare yourself for a career as a business analyst, economist, financial project manager, quantitative analyst, risk manager or statistician
- You can also study this major as part of QUT's new Bachelor of Business - International degree, which includes one year of compulsory overseas studies.
Why choose this course?
Economics is more than just a business discipline—it’s a way of looking at the world. It’s about important issues such as unemployment, inflation, interest rates, competition, business strategy, the sustainable use of resources and the impact of decisions made by governments. An understanding of economics is essential to understanding real-world issues and finding real solutions.
With the help of world-class economists, you will develop essential knowledge about economic behaviour, the workings of economic systems and the skills used in analysing economic issues in a wide range of contexts.
QUT’s strength in applied economics research means you will learn to use social, cognitive and emotional factors to gain an understanding of the economic decisions of individuals and institutions, and their effects on markets and public choice.
An economics minor is also an excellent complement to other majors as it offers students the opportunity to develop a wider understanding of economics. An economics minor will also enhance students’ employability prospects by developing analytical and strategic thinking skills widely recognised as an outcome of economics training.
If you’ve ever wondered why the Reserve Bank of Australia puts up interest rates, or what is the best way to make the earth a cooler place by fighting climate change, or if you’ve asked whether Facebook makes the economy more productive, consider economics as a major.
Real-world learning
Our lecturers have a wide range of real-world experience in finance, government policy making and in industry, so their teaching reflects current thinking and is based on practical situations and outcomes. These links also provide access to guest lecturers, who add their own experiences and challenges to your learning and thinking.
This course will take you on a journey through both microeconomics (individual firm or industry) and macroeconomics (entire nations). You will apply theory to topics of current interest, such as the federal budget, changing age demographics and climate change. You will learn how to collate data for your analysis, make decisions on relevant economic theories and models, and refine this into possible solutions for the real world.
The capstone unit, contemporary applications of economic theory, integrates earlier learning by giving you the opportunity to analyse specific commercial, social and environmental issues.
Explore this course
Careers and outcomes
Careers and outcomes
Within the corporate world, economists work as analysts and consultants. Economists guide the strategic direction of firms to respond to changes in global economic conditions, structural changes within the sector or changes in government policy. In government, economists design and evaluate policy at all levels from treasury to health and education and everything in between.
You will be employable in a variety of settings, from a range of government, treasury, policy and economic development roles, to manufacturing, transport, communications, banking, insurance and investment.
Graduate positions include:
- private and public sector economist
- business analyst
- business consultant
- public sector manager.
Professional recognition
You will meet the academic requirements for professional membership of the Economics Society of Australia.
Research pathways
Bachelor of Business (Honours) option
High-achieving students who wish to take further studies may enrol in BS63 Bachelor of Business (Honours).
Possible careers
- Administrator
- Banker
- Banking and Finance Professional
- Business Analyst
- Corporate Secretary
- Economist
- Financial Advisor/Analyst
- Financial Project Manager
- Government Officer
- Investment Manager
- Policy Officer
- Public Servant
- Quantitative Analyst
- Risk Manager
- Statistician
- Stockbroker
Details and units
Economics major units
- Economics 2
- Intermediate macroeconomics
- Intermediate microeconomics
- Contemporary application of economic theory (capstone unit)
Plus any four of the following:
Quantitative economics units
- Applied behavioural economics
- Applied econometrics
- Introduction to applied econometrics
- Game theory and applications
Applied economics units
- Environmental economics and policy
- International economics
- Financial markets
- Economics for the real world
Recommended complementary study areas
Second major and minor options
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- International business
- Language
Additional minor options
- Accountancy
- Business regulation
Industry links
Our lecturers have a wide range of real-world experience in finance, government policy making and in industry, so their teaching reflects current thinking and is based on practical situations and outcomes. These links also provide access to guest lecturers, who add their own experiences and challenges to your learning and thinking.
Economics major units
- Economics 2
- Intermediate macroeconomics
- Intermediate microeconomics
- Contemporary application of economic theory (capstone unit)
Plus any four of the following:
Quantitative economics units
- Applied behavioural economics
- Applied econometrics
- Introduction to applied econometrics
- Game theory and applications
Applied economics units
- Environmental economics and policy
- International economics
- Financial markets
- Economics for the real world
Recommended complementary study areas
Second major and minor options
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- International business
- Language
Additional minor options
- Accountancy
- Business regulation
Requirements
- OP
- 10
- Selection rank
- 79.00
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2020.
Don't have an OP or selection rank?
Starting uni in 2021?
There are some changes to subjects and the qualifications we’ll consider for entry to QUT from 2021 and beyond. Make sure you’re prepared to apply.
The selection rank is a good indication of the equivalent ATAR.
- Course code
- BS05
- QTAC code
- 413021
- CRICOS code
- 003491G
-
- Gardens Point
-
- Gardens Point
- 3 years full-time
- 6 years part-time
- 3 years full-time
- February and July
- February, July and November
- Conditions apply for International students wishing to commence study in November. Contact bus@qut.edu.au for more information.
- Offer Guarantee
- Yes
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:
- English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)
- General Mathematics, or Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)
Offer guarantee
If you achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 93.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Advanced standing
If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.
Deferment
You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.
More about deferring your offer
Adjustments to your selection rank
Any adjustments you receive to your selection rank (or OP equivalent) will be applied to this course.
Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your selection rank
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2019
The scores listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent school leavers. If you are not a school leaver, take a look at the entry thresholds box at the top of this page to see the lowest adjusted scores required overall to receive an offer.
| Excluding adjustments | Including adjustments | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP | Selection rank | OP | Selection rank | |
| Highest OP/selection rank to receive an offer |
OP
1
|
Selection rank
99
|
OP
1
|
Selection rank
99
|
| Median OP/selection rank to receive an offer |
OP
8
|
Selection rank
84
|
OP
8
|
Selection rank
84
|
| Lowest OP/selection rank to receive an offer |
OP
13
|
Selection rank
9
|
OP
9
|
Selection rank
82
|
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Other admission options
If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).
I completed my studies outside of Australia
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
Subject prerequisites
- General Mathematics, or Mathematical Methods, or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)
You must have achieved this study at a level comparable to Australian Year 12 or in recognised post-secondary studies.
I completed secondary school in Australia
Guide to entry thresholds
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2020.
- OP
- 10
- Rank
- 79
Offer guarantee
If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 93.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS Academic
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. |
6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Cambridge English Score
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. You must provide your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number, these are printed on your Cambridge English Confirmation of Entry. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
|
Pearson PTE (Academic)
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. |
58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
|
TOEFL iBT
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. |
79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Haven't completed an English language test? We can help!
If you have not completed an English language test, you can sit the IELTS test at our IELTS test centre
Fees
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2021 fees
2021: CSP $11,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2021 fees
2021: $32,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2020 fees
2020 CSP $11,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2020 fees
2020: $31,100 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
Find out more about undergraduate course fees
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
Scholarships
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
Real graduate
'I chose economics because I’m passionate about answering the big questions and understanding how the world works. Studying economics at QUT is really dynamic and the lecturers are very passionate.'
Make a real difference
‘A career in economics was a natural fit for my passion for public and economic policy. Economics is the universal language of decision making and I can see the difference good policy advice makes in shaping the lives of Australians through the work we do at Deloitte Access Economics. The mix of theoretical, technical and very practical skills I gained at QUT was the foundation for pursuing my passion.'
Real graduate
'I chose economics because I’m passionate about answering the big questions and understanding how the world works. Studying economics at QUT is really dynamic and the lecturers are very passionate.'
Make a real difference
‘A career in economics was a natural fit for my passion for public and economic policy. Economics is the universal language of decision making and I can see the difference good policy advice makes in shaping the lives of Australians through the work we do at Deloitte Access Economics. The mix of theoretical, technical and very practical skills I gained at QUT was the foundation for pursuing my passion.'
Establish overseas connections
‘Korea was a great exchange destination – the university and city are full of places to explore. I met people from all over the world and gained a wide knowledge of Korea, East Asia, and developed great cultural communication skills. I also made international connections that will help me in my future work in the region.’
A real advantage
'I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship through the Business Advantage Program to attend the National Student Leadership Forum in Canberra in 2014. This was an invaluable experience to network, communicate with and learn from inspiring people how to become a better leader.’
International opportunities
‘During my exchange to Purdue University in America I completed internships at the Purdue Research Foundation and Locket, a San Francisco-based technology start-up. I’ve also interned at an ASEAN management consulting firm in Shanghai. I think internships are really valuable as they allow you to reflect on what you want to do in the future.’
Real graduate
'QUT's economics major prepared me for my current role at the Commonwealth Grants Commission and provided the analytical foundation that I can build on into the future. My degree has opened the door for further studies and career opportunities in the public and private sector.'
