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Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)

Develop highly analytical and creative scientific methodology skills and the ability to influence business or government policy.

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Graduate with two degrees that are highly regarded by industry. The Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) at UNSW Sydney provides specialised skillsets and independent research that stand out in competitive job markets. You will analyse the impact of collective and individual decision-making on a global economy and gain profound understanding of a fascinating scientific field.

The five-year program explores diverse course options including mathematics, biotechnology, climate systems, macroeconomics, statistics and business forecasting. You can also focus studies on a Commerce topic such as fintech or management. The degrees incorporate global work/study opportunities and practical real-world experience including internships, mentoring and career networking.

Graduates enter the workforce with a strong foundation in economics, specialised quantitative skills and highly transferable skills in analysis, statistics and scientific methodology. With the ability to cross industries, they have the basis for an intriguing career.

Why choose this bachelor degree?

Design a degree to suit your interests and career goals. The Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) offers professional development and accreditation, and a selection of exciting majors, electives and research topics for your honours year thesis.

You can choose an Economics major from:

  • Economics - explore the broad political and business environment as it relates to the economy, or
  • Econometrics - measure, quantify and analyse statistical economic information, or
  • Financial Economics - focus on how financial instruments are priced in markets, and how individuals and firms manage financial risk.

    • Combine your Economics major(s) with one of more than 20 Science majors including biotechnology, mathematics, materials science, climate systems, neuroscience and physics.

    There is the option to expand your expertise with a third major in business, in areas such as accounting, business law, finance, management, marketing, real estate studies or taxation.

    The honours year involves a research project which in some cases is combined with advanced coursework. See the program structure for detailed information.

    Professional development and accreditation

    During your study, make use of Career Accelerator, a portfolio of professional development opportunities that are exclusive to UNSW Business School students and include:

    This degree is professionally recognised and provides a career-ready standard of knowledge. Depending on the majors and courses chosen, accreditation is available from the Australian Human Resources Institute, Australian Securities and Investment Commission, CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, ACCA and Institute of Public Accountants.

    UNSW Business School degrees are shaped by industry leaders and world-class academics who recognise the future will present career opportunities that don’t exist today. Our Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Advance Science (Honours) is designed to train your mind to adapt to future challenges. You will understand business concepts, practise problem-solving, and build skills in critical thinking and decision making.

    Talented Students Program

    The Talented Students Program (TSP) helps eligible students in the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) develop specific skills during their degree. It offers exposure to research within the Faculty and provides flexibility and tailoring to suit the needs and talents of our students. Invitation to participate in the TSP is made by the Dean of Science on the basis of superior secondary education performance (ATAR or equivalent).

    Who is this degree for?

    • People who think big. They’re good with numbers, keenly interested in a particular science, and can see how they would change society
    • Those interested in combining advanced studies in the sciences with economics
    • People who want to complete advanced coursework and an individual research project

    Job and career prospects

    With this double degree, you can explore a variety of career options in the science and business sectors, including:

    • Business Consultant
    • Clinical Research Associate
    • Economic Forecaster
    • Environmental Consultant
    • Graduate Economist
    • Investment Banker
    • Laboratory Technician
    • Management Consultant
    • Mathematician
    • Quality Assurance Officer
    • Quantitative Analyst
    • Research Scientist
    • Statistical Analyst
    • Wealth Management Analyst

    Find out how we prepare our graduates for career success

    Why UNSW Business School?

    UNSW Business School is a leading business school in the Asia-Pacific, consistently ranking within the top 50 worldwide for Economics and Econometrics. In Australia, we are rated “Well above world standard” for Economics by the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) government assessment. Read more about our rankings and reputation.

    Our students build professional networks among more than 90,000 Business School alumni worldwide and begin their new career before graduation. This advanced undergraduate double degree incorporates a suite of professional development opportunities offered by Career Accelerator, that are exclusive to UNSW’s Business School students. Career Accelerator helps you build industry connections through networking and mentoring, and you can undertake internships and global business practicums for credit towards your degree.

    Bachelor of Commerce Core Courses
     

The Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Science (Advanced) is a 5 year dual degree program consisting of 40 courses (240 UOC). The program includes:

  • Economics core and elective courses
  • One economics major
  • One first year business elective
  • Two business electives
  • One economics major
  • Free electives
  • One science major
  • Science electives
  • Honours year in science (advanced)

You must complete at least 16 courses (96 UOC) for economics and 24 courses (144 UOC) for science (advanced).

Core courses

Economics core course

ECON1401 Economic Perspectives

This course will engage you with the founding ideas of economics and their relevance to the social usefulness of modern economic science. You will participate in active reflection and debate about the discipline’s objectives and approaches as they have developed through history and as they relate to other social science and business disciplines. You will learn how modern-day problems are addressed in different subfields of modern economics, how these endeavours relate to the historical development of economics, and where the frontiers of economics as a discipline presently lie.

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First Year business elective

Choose one course from

ACCT1501 Accounting and Financial Management 1A

​The compulsory core accounting unit will have a preparer perspective. It will provide an introduction to basic concepts in accounting and their application for decision making by a wide range of potential users (e.g., shareholders, investment analysts, lenders, managers etc). This unit should benefit students who wish to specialise in accounting and those students whose primary interest lies elsewhere in the field of business.

On completion, students should have a clear understanding of the accounting process and the language of accounting to enable communication with an accounting professional, understand the relevance of accounting information for informed decision making by a wide range of potential users, and have the ability to analyse and interpret accounting information. Topics covered will include the accounting equation, general purpose financial reports, cash and accrual accounting, adjustments, internal control, the accounting for key balance sheet assets, and interpreting and preparing information for managers to use in planning, decision making and control.

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FINS1613 Business Finance

This is a first level corporate finance course that looks at the essential aspects of financial decision-making. The course begins with the different ways in which companies can be structured and the differing types of ownership that exist. Next, the principles and applications of financial mathematics are introduced and used to value securities and investment decisions. Portfolio theory is used to provide a foundation for determining the relationship between expected risk and returns in financial and real asset investments. Dividend payouts and the choices between debt and equity financing, including methods of determining the cost of capital, are also covered. Further, this course includes analysis of the influence of the capital market environment, the implications of financial risk, taxation and the conflict of interest between managers and investors on the value and operation of businesses. The course develops distinct conceptual frameworks and specialised tools for solving real-world financial problems at both the personal and corporate level. Illustrations from real-life corporate practices are used to highlight the importance and relevance of financial management to the realisation of personal and corporate financial objectives. Examples include personal financial planning, funds management, capital raisings, portfolio selection of financial securities, private equity, public floats and the pricing of assets in the stock market.

The course emphasizes the importance of Ethics in Finance. Students with no knowledge in finance will be introduced to conceptual foundations of ethics required to interpret professional standards arising from various industry advisory authorities on professional ethical conduct including the Banking Royal Commission, CFA Institute, and United Nations. In doing so, it provides a language in ethics to discuss ethical issues in the context of the finance profession.

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INFS1602 Digital Transformation in Business

This is a foundational (Level 1) Information Systems (IS) course that introduces students to the use of IS in business and society. As an overarching theme, INFS1602 examines the issues and management of IS in relation to human behaviour and its consequences. Through this course, students will learn to appreciate existing and emerging technologies affecting businesses, business relationships and their products and services. In taking this course, students will be provided with tasks and assignments that will aid in refining their professional business skills and the ability to evaluate the value of technology to businesses. This includes communication and group work skills, time management and research skills.

The topics that are covered in INFS1602 include understanding the role of Information Systems and IS Professionals in Global Business, the relationship between Information Systems, Organisations, and Strategy, the dominant Business Models enabled by the Internet and the emergence of Web 2.0 technology. The course will also explore contemporary technology-enabled phenomena that are disruptive to the current business landscape such as Sharing Economy, Blockchain and the Internet of Things. The course also touches on popular enterprise-level information systems such as Enterprise Systems, Supply Chain and Customer Relationship Management Systems and the emergence of business intelligence in supporting organisation decision making. The course also involves discussion of the considerations behind the acquisition and building of IS and the issues common to the management of IS projects. Lastly, the course addresses the need to secure the IS and the potential ethical and social issues faced by businesses in relation to their use of IS.

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MARK1012 Marketing Fundamentals

In today’s business world, marketing is viewed as central to creating and delivering value both to the organisation and to the customer. It impacts all aspects of a business organisation, shaping and directing corporate through to marketing strategy. Many companies acknowledge that their growth and survival depends on putting the customer at the centre of their planning. Thus, an understanding of marketing is essential for any business student.

This course introduces the student to the major concepts and theories, reflecting the breadth and diversity of marketing. It provides insights into where marketing fits within an organisation, its contributions to business in general, describes frameworks supporting marketing activities, and helps with challenges in the ever changing market place. It discusses the application of this understanding to consumer goods, as well as service, business-to-business, industrial and non-profit organizations, and to the growing area of e-commerce.

Topics include: marketing processes and planning, the use of market research, an understanding of consumers and customers, decision-making and the marketing mix, market segmentation, positioning and product differentiation, the changing global environment.

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MGMT1001 Managing Organisations and People

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles, practices, issues and debates associated with the management of public, business and third sector organisations. The frameworks, concepts and theories covered in the course are introduced to explain how managers deal with the diversity of issues faced in the effective management of contemporary organisations.
 
The underpinning themes of the course centre on how managers can deal with the multiple demands of complex and turbulent environments, promote and sustain competitive advantage, manage changing social, political and technological factors inside and outside the organisation, ensure ethical and social responsibility, develop global organisations and manage diversity in the workforce. How management goes about its principal tasks of managing strategy, structures, people and systems are the key focus issues of the course. The main roles of modern management - planning, leading, innovating, organising and controlling - are also examined.
 
Topics include the emergence, evolution and structure of management, conceptions of managerial work; management fads, fashion and knowledge; the task and internal environment; regulating people; the nature of organising; change and innovation; decision-making; influence processes; power and politics; ethical issues and professionalism in management; performance management: control and planning; and current trends.

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TABL1710 Business and the Law

This subject deals with the Australian legal system; the Constitution and Commonwealth/State relations; Parliament and statute law; the courts and case law; the executive and administrative law; the legal process and alternative dispute resolution. Areas of substantive law relevant to commerce are examined including property law (with particular reference to intellectual property), tort law (with particular reference to negligence), contract law, competition law and consumer protection law.

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For a detailed program structure, click Program Details below.

Areas of study (majors)

Economics:

Science (advanced):

Entry to this degree is based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or an equivalent rank derived from the following:
  • Australian interstate Year 12 qualifications (e.g. OP rank)
  • New Zealand NCEA Level 3
  • Equivalent overseas qualifications e.g. International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, GCE A-Levels
  • Post-secondary or tertiary qualifications
  • An alternative entry qualification

Domestic students
For further information on domestic admission requirements, see UNSW Future Students degree finder.

International students
For further information on international admission requirements, see the International Undergraduate Direct Entry Table.

The UNSW English Language requirements also apply to this degree.

Alternative entry pathways
If you did not meet the entry cut-off of this degree, you might want to consider studying a different undergraduate degree (either at UNSW or another university), achieve good marks for your first year of study, and then apply for transfer into this degree.

If you did not have the required academic qualification for admission, visit the UNSW Future Students website to find out what other options are available to you.

Domestic students

If you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, you apply online through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

International students

If you are an international student, and you’re completing an Australian Year 12, or the NZ NCEA Level 3 qualification in Australia or overseas, you apply online through UAC International.

All other international students apply directly to UNSW.

Transferring students

Transferring within UNSW

Current UNSW students can apply to transfer from one UNSW degree to another (e.g. from Bachelor of Arts to Bachelor of Commerce) as long as the entry requirements of the new program are met.

Assessment is usually based on your high school qualification (ATAR or equivalent) and/or results from your UNSW studies. In most cases, you need to have completed a minimum of 6 courses (36 UOC) at UNSW.

You can apply for transfer to another UNSW degree by:

If you gain entry into the new program, you will then be assessed for transfer credits for courses already completed. You can see the transfer credits on myUNSW.

Transferring from outside UNSW

Students studying at another institution can apply to transfer to a UNSW business degree as long as the entry requirements of the program are met.

Assessment is usually based on your high school qualification (ATAR or equivalent) and/or results from university studies. In most cases, you need to have completed a minimum of 6 courses (36 UOC) at the other university.

You can apply for transfer to a UNSW degree by:

  • Applying through UAC (if you’re a domestic student) or directly with UNSW via Apply Online (if you’re an international student)

If you gain entry into the program at UNSW, you will need to apply for transfer credits for courses already completed. Find out more about credit transfer at UNSW.

For a list of pre-assessed business courses, visit our transfer credit guide.

Note:
  • If you’re a domestic student and have completed one semester of study, and your high school results (e.g. ATAR, IB score) met the entry requirements, you may be eligible to apply for transfer via UAC based on your high school results only.
  • If you’re an international student and have completed one semester of study, and your high school results (e.g. ATAR, IB score) met the entry requirements, you may be eligible to apply for transfer directly with UNSW via Apply Online.

UNSW Business School students are some of Australia’s best and brightest, with a reputation for drive and innovation. Our graduates have exceptional employability rates, performing well above the national average. The majority of our students are employed full-time within four months of graduating and earning a wage higher than most business & management graduates.

Our degrees include up to two for-credit industry experiences, such as internships or global business practicums. These experiences are part of a suite of opportunities that is exclusive to UNSW’s Business School students and organised through Career Accelerator. The professional development opportunities complement your studies, build connections to industry and give you a clear advantage after graduation.

The opportunities are grouped within the Networking, Mentoring, Internships, and Global sections of Career Accelerator.

Networking

The people you meet during your time at university can play a profound role in positively shaping your career. Connect with like-minded and influential people through:

  • Business Connect - an introduction to Networking
  • Industry Insights – workshop sessions delivered by industry partners
  • Industry Events – invitation-only events hosted by industry partners
  • Business Case Competitions – impress future employers with your problem-solving skills

Mentoring

Participating in a mentoring program will boost your confidence, help grow your professional network, develop your communication, teamwork and leadership skills as well as building upon your business acumen.

  • Mentor Connect – a quick, online chat with an AGSM MBA student about your future
  • Career Mentoring Program – a 10-week program of career mentoring and coaching

Internships

UNSW Business School’s for-credit and not-for-credit opportunities such consultancy projects, social entrepreneurship practicums, virtual internships and extra-curricular experiences.

  • Internships & Consulting Projects – real-world and virtual projects for program credit
  • Social Entrepreneurship Practicum – practicum to develop professional team skills in a real project for program credit
  • Business Experience – real-world and virtual projects for professional development

Global Opportunities

The personal and professional benefits of living, studying or working in a different culture are immense and recognised by employers.

  • Global Business Practicum - work in small cross-disciplinary student consulting team on a genuine business issue, usually in Asia
  • Social Entrepreneurship Practicum - build entrepreneurial, workplace and leadership capabilities in India
  • Business Immersion China - blend business, culture and Chinese language classes with company visits and excursions to sights of significant cultural importance around Shanghai
  • International Information Systems & Technology Practicum – experience how e-business systems differ across international borders
  • Student Exchange – live and study overseas for up to 3 terms at one of our 200 partner universities

A Bachelor of Commerce prepares you for long-term business success. UNSW Business School graduates are currently employed in a variety of professions including: accountant/auditors, commercial managers, economists, financial advisors, human resource consultants, ICT business/system analysts, international business development managers, investment bankers, management consultants, marketing/brand managers, property business analysts, recruitment officers, and tax advisors – to name a few.



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Quick facts for students

Program code
3566
UAC code
424470
Award
Bachelor Degree
Assumed Knowledge
Mathematics
Lowest Rank
95.00
Hsc Plus Bonus Points
English and Maths
Other qualifications considered
Accepted Qualifications for High School Graduates
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
240
Study Mode
Face to face
Duration
5 years full-time, 10 years part-time
Commencing terms
Term 1 - February
Term 2 - June
Term 3 - September
HECS fee band
Band 2/3
Program fee (total)
$54,474
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