University of Melbourne
Graduate Diploma in Economics
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
- Course Type: Graduate Diploma
The program offers the flexibility to complete a shorter graduate qualification in economics,

Course overview
With the the Melbourne Business School's Graduate Diploma in Economics, you should acquire and be able to apply the skills of a professional economist at an honours level. Those with good results will be eligible for graduate level study in economics and econometrics at the master's and graduate research levels.
Key facts
What you will study
The Graduate Diploma in Economics consists of eight 12.5 point subjects, and will normally be completed in one year of full-time study or two years part-time. The 100-point program comprises of:
- Two core economics subjects
- One quantitative subject
- Five elective subjects
Students must complete two core subjects:
- Advanced Microeconomics
- Advanced Macroeconomics
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be considered for entry into this course, you must complete all of the following:
- Have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree with a strong analytical or mathematical component with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75% (or equivalent).
- Have completed the Graduate Records Examination (GRE), unless you have completed an undergraduate degree in Australia or New Zealand or met one of the approved conditions for GRE exemption.
- Submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words outlining why you wish to be considered for this course.
Please note:
If you have an economics background, you will normally be required to have a major in economics including calculus-based economics subjects plus an econometrics subject with a weighted average mark of at least 75 per cent across the major to meet the analytical or mathematical prerequisite requirements.
If you are an applicant from a non-economics background, you will require an undergraduate major of a mathematical/analytical nature including calculus, linear algebra, and statistics subjects with a weighted average mark of at least 75 per cent and will also be required to have completed microeconomics and macroeconomics subjects at least at the second-year level.
English language requirements
All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test.
If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:
- IELTS (Academic) – 6.5 overall, with no band less than 6.0.
- TOEFL IBT – minimum score of 79, with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13.
- PTE – minimum score of 64, with no communicative skill below 60.
- Cambridge – minimum score of 176, with no skill less than 169.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).
If you discontinue from the Master of Economics but have successfully completed the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Economics, you may be eligible to receive the Graduate Diploma in Economics as an exit award.
Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduates have gone on to some successful and varied careers. These are just some examples:
- Economist, Reserve Bank of Australia
- Economist, Productivity Commission
- Research Fellow, Australian National University
- Senior Commercial Analyst, Telstra
- Network Strategy Consultant, Ericsson
- Economist, Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance
Learning outcomes
You will leave the degree with a number of essential skills, including the ability to:
- Be a critical thinker in relation to microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.
- Be analytical in the application of economics and econometrics theory, knowledge, principles, techniques and data.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative first-year and total course fee in 2026: $37,984 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Unless otherwise noted, the indicative total course fee shown above assumes a study load of 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.
Fees are subject to annual review by the University, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of subjects studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of subjects.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.