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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.
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.
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.
Explore this course
Career outcomes
Career 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
Requirements
These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2018.
Don't have an OP or rank?
- Course code
- BS05
- QTAC code
- 413021
- CRICOS code
- 003491G
-
- 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.
- OP Guarantee
- Yes
Assumed knowledge
Before you start this course we assume you have sound knowledge in these areas:
- English
- Maths A, B or C
We assume that you have knowledge equivalent to four semesters at high school level (Years 11 and 12) with sound achievement (4, SA).
Guaranteed entry
If you receive an adjusted OP 1-5 (or equivalent selection rank), you are guaranteed an offer for this course in the major offer round.
Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2018
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
7
|
Selection rank
86
|
| Lowest OP/selection rank to receive an offer |
OP
12
|
Selection rank
73
|
OP
9
|
Selection rank
81
|
You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.
Minimum academic requirements
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.
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, 2018.
- OP
- 9
- Rank
- 81
Did you get an OP 1-5?
If you completed secondary school in Australia and received an OP 1-5 or equivalent, and you meet the course prerequisites, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in the January offer round
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, Singapore, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. You must provide your Cambridge English Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number, these are printed on your Cambridge English Confirmation of Entry. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
|
IELTS Academic
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. |
6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
Pearson PTE (Academic)
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. Please assign your test to QUT in your Pearson profile. |
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.
2019
2019: CSP $11,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2019
2019: $29,900 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2018
2018: CSP $11,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2018
2018: $28,700 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.
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.
Corporate Partners in Excellence (CPIE) Scholarship - commencing students
A scholarship for future undergraduate students who want to study a Bachelor of Business.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship (Academic)
A scholarship for future undergraduate students who want to study in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Business Academic Excellence Scholarship
A scholarship for future undergraduate students who want to study business.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Laurie Cowled Indigenous Scholarships for Business Students
A scholarship for current undergraduate Indigenous female students studying business.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent; Struggling financially; Women
Triple Crown Scholarship
A scholarship for future international students who want to study business.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
Equity scholarships scheme
A scholarship for low-income students studying in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Struggling financially
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship (Elite Athlete)
A scholarship for future undergraduate students who want to study in any faculty.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
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. 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. 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.'
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