University of New England
Master of Economics (Coursework)
Online
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2025
TUITION FEES
AUD 32,254 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* international students fees. contact the university for domestic students tuition fees
Introduction
Economics influences almost every aspect of business, government and society. Policy makers and leaders in all organisations need to understand the economics interactions of global political and commercial systems, whilst considering living standards, and resource and environmental constraints. Economists provide these insights and influence decisions about how to prioritise actions and allocate resources in a continuously changing environment.
UNE's Master of Economics is perfectly positioned to build your expertise and hone your analytical skills to solve today’s economic challenges and advance your career.
Why study the Master of Economics with UNE?
If you’re passionate about economic development, agricultural and resource economics, or efficiency and productivity analysis, our Master of Economics will deepen your skills and knowledge in the field of economics. You can choose to expand your current knowledge of economics or diversify your expertise into an area you have not previously studied.
This course is for you if you hold a bachelor degree with a relevant major or a graduate diploma in a relevant discipline and want to expand your knowledge. It will also suit you if you have a degree in an area unrelated to economics and wish to develop specialised knowledge and skills in this field.
Our staff have research and teaching strengths in economics, agricultural and resource economics, applied econometrics and economic history. We also have a strong record of cross-disciplinary research. Our goal is to produce evidence-based analysis of practical significance. In apply our disciplinary skills, we seek to deliver solid, commercial and sustainable benefits to our regional, national and global stakeholders.
Our economics postgraduate courses were awarded 5-star ratings for Learning Resources and Full-Time Employment by the 2021 Good Universities Guide. Students consistently award UNE 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support, so whether you study online or on campus, when you choose UNE, you are in good hands.
What makes our course different?
Our flexible Master's degree by coursework puts you in control of your studies. You will have the opportunity to:
- Progress through the general program or target your studies by completing a major in agricultural and resource economics, economic development, economics or efficiency and productivity analysis.
- Choose from a range of units within your major or the general program to focus your study on topics of interest and relevance to you.
- Complete a combination of coursework and independent research to hone your research skills and build on your expertise in the direction that is most relevant to your work and career goals.
- Undertake research and complete a dissertation if you achieve an overall grade point average of 5 (credit grade) throughout your coursework. This will allow you to consider progressing to higher degree research studies.
- Choose between full-time and part-time studies so you can either fast-track your Master's degree or spread the workload over up to six years part time.
- Study on campus in Armidale or study online to take advantage of UNE's proven expertise in distance education for experienced professionals.
- Complete an overseas study tour during your course.
- Receive advanced standing if you have a bachelor qualification with a major in a relevant discipline or hold a graduate diploma in a relevant discipline.
- Exit with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Economics or Graduate Diploma in Economics if you choose not to complete the full course at a stage where you satisfy the requirement of either of those courses.
Study online
Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.
Study on campus
Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.
24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
UNE offers bursaries and scholarships that can help you with the costs of studying and living in Australia.
The UNE International Bursary reduces the published annual tuition fees for international students by up to 30%. These bursaries are available for international students commencing coursework studies at UNE in 2023.
We currently are offering a 20% Bursary for the 2024 intake.
UNE also offers a number of substantial research scholarships to postgraduate students studying for research-based degrees.
View detailed Bursary information.
Curriculum
Course structure
To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (a) shall complete units to the value of 96 credit points including not more than 18 credit points at 100-level, not more than 18 credit points at 200-level, not more than 24 credit points at 300/400-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.
To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (b) shall complete units to the value of 96 credit points including not more than 18 credit points at 300/400-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.
To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (c) shall complete units to the value of 96 credit points including not more than 12 credit points at 300/400-level and at least 36 credit points at 500-level as identified in the program of study.
Rule A
96 credit points
For candidates admitted under Rule (a)
- Core Units
- Approved Majors or General Program
Rule B
96 credit points
For candidates admitted under Rule (b)
- Advanced Standing
- Core Units
- Approved Majors or General Program
Rule C
96 credit points
For candidates admitted under Rule (c)
- Advanced Standing
- Core Units
- Listed Units (General Program)
Program Outcome
- Identify, coherently explain and synthesise core and advanced economic concepts, including recent developments in the discipline;
- Frame and critically analyse problems in terms of core and advanced economic concepts and principles, apply advanced economic reasoning and analytical skills, including quantitative techniques where appropriate, in order to make informed judgements and decisions, and plan and execute a research-based project;
- Use advanced quantitative economic analytical methods to select and apply an appropriate empirical method to address typical problems faced by economists, and critically evaluate the results;
- Reflect on and evaluate: the nature and implications of assumptions and value judgments in economic analysis and policy; interactions between economic thinking and economic events, both historical and contemporary; the responsibilities of economists and their role in society; and
- Communicate complex ideas clearly and coherently, in written form and interactive oral form to expert and non-expert audiences, individually or in collaborative contexts.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
You will graduate from UNE’s Master of Economics with advanced skills in economic analysis, economic and social policy development, project management and policy evaluation. This will give you career opportunities in government and non-government organisations, including positions such as:
- economist
- policy analyst
- researcher
- project officer
- consultant.
If you achieve strong results and perform well in the research component, you could proceed to a doctoral program in economics and pursue an academic or research career.