University of New England

Graduate Diploma in Economics

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

After completing this course, you may consider progressing to higher level studies, particularly the Master of Economics program.

Course overview

With UNE's Graduate Diploma in Economics you will upgrade your analytical skills and build advanced economic knowledge to enhance your career, enabling you to add value in all sectors of business, government and society.

If you have a degree in a discipline unrelated to economics, the graduate diploma offers specialised knowledge and skills in economics and provides you with a formal qualification in this field.

This course will also suit you if you have an economics degree and wish to refresh your knowledge of economics or extend your expertise into areas of economics that you have not previously studied.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
12 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,714
More Information
Estimated prices are calculated based on a full-time study load of eight units or 48 credit points.

From $2,172 (CSP)
More Information
You may be eligible for CSP where the government pays part of your fees. Estimated CSP prices are calculated based on a full-time study load of eight units or 48 credit points.
Campus
Armidale
Intake
Anytime
Units
8
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist domestic students.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points with at least 30 credit points at 400-level or above. Each unit is valued at six credit points.

Rule A

Core units

Complete two of the following units:

  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics I: Business Cycles and Global Trade
  • Macroeconomics II: Fluctuations and Policy
  • Microeconomics II: Consumers, Markets and Trade

Complete the following units:

  • Economics in Practice: Capstone Project
  • Quantitative Techniques for Management

Listed units

Complete 24 credit points from the following units:

  • Banking and Finance
  • Climate Change: Economics and Policy
  • International Trade and Finance
  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
  • Behavioural Economics
  • International Political Economy
  • Benefit-Cost Analysis
  • Energy Economics
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Economics of Development
  • Work Integrated Learning - Professional Skills Development
Rule B

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

This course is offered under two admission rules.

Rule A: You have completed a bachelor's qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) in any discipline.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A.

Rule B: You have completed a bachelor's qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B.

Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Economics
  • Economic statistics

English language requirements

For international students, contact the university to find further information about English language requirements.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

Course Entry Advanced Standing

Some entry rules come with Advanced Standing or Articulation Programs that are assessed automatically without the need for you to fill in an additional application.

If you are admitted under Rule B, you will be granted 18 CP of Specified Advanced Standing, comprising the following units:

  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • Quantitative Techniques for Management

Individual Unit Advanced Standing

  • If you are admitted under Rule A, you can apply for up to 24 CP of Advanced Standing.
  • If you are admitted under Rule B, you can apply for up to a further six CP of Advanced Standing.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

UNE’s Graduate Diploma in Economics provides you with the economic and quantitative expertise to explore a variety of professional career options, such as:

  • Policy officer or analyst
  • Economic modeller or adviser
  • Trade and industry officer
  • Commodities or futures trader
  • Importer/exporter

Learning outcomes

  • Identify, coherently explain and synthesise disciplinary concepts to economic issues at an advanced level.
  • Apply critical economic reasoning and advanced analytical skills to complex problems, in order to make informed judgements and decisions.
  • Reflect on the nature and implications of assumptions and value judgements in economic analysis and policy.
  • Use quantitative methods to analyse economic issues and understand their role in economic decision-making and policy decisions.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in information transfer in written and oral formats at a professional level.

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year and full fee in 2026: $17,376 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year and full fee in 2026: $29,712 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time: $373

The costs will depend on the units you choose to study, as the cost of individual units varies. “Estimated fees” are provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking a study load of 48 credit points in the first year of this course. For courses that require fewer than 48 credit points, the fees indicated are based on the total credit points needed for the completion of that course.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of units studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of units.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.