University of New England

Master of Economic and Regional Development

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Course Type: Master's

Develop knowledge and skills in economics that you can apply when dealing with regional and community development issues in either urban or rural contexts.

Course overview

UNE’s Master of Economic and Regional Development will equip you with the expertise to help solve the issues faced by regions and nations as they define their directions and chart a course toward a better future.

In addition to honing your economic and quantitative analysis skills, you will develop a deep understanding of the significance of the cultural, ethical, legal and social dimensions of economic issues in developing countries.

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
Master's
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
24 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,954
More Information
Estimated prices are calculated based on a first year and full-time study load of eight units or 48 credit points.

From $1,816.75 (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 first year and full-time study load of eight units or 48 credit points.
Campus
Armidale
Intake
February, 2026
June, 2026
Units
16
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist domestic students.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

To complete the Master of Economic and Regional Development, you must complete 96 credit points, including at least 36 credit points at 500-level. Each unit is valued at six credit points.

Rule A

Core units

Complete the following units:

Note: You may choose only one of the following units: ECON201 or ECON202, ECON371 or ECON526, ECON417 or ECON590.

  • Research Methods
  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON201) OR Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON202)
  • Introductory Econometrics (ECON371) OR Benefit-Cost Analysis (ECON526)
  • International Trade and Finance (ECON417) OR Economics of Development (ECON590)
  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
  • Business Statistics

Core pathway

Complete one of the following pathways:

Pathway 1

Complete the following unit and complete 12 credit points at the 500-level chosen from elective units.

  • Capstone Project (12 credit points)

Pathway 2

Complete the following unit and complete six credit points at the 500-level chosen from elective units.

  • Research Project (18 credit points)

Pathway 3

Complete the following unit:

  • Dissertation (24 credit points)

Elective units

Twenty-four (24) credit points of elective units can be selected from any unit offered by the University, subject to candidates meeting overall course requirements, prerequisite and timetabling requirements for individual units.

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:

  • Agribusiness
  • Agricultural and resource economics
  • Development economics
  • Economics
  • Econometrics

English language requirements

You may be required to show how you satisfy the English language requirements for this course. Contact the university for more information.

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 24 CP of Block Advanced Standing.

Individual Unit Advanced Standing

If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your study within the last 10 years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.

  • If you are admitted under Rule A, you can apply for up to 48 CP of Advanced Standing.
  • If you are admitted under Rule B, you can apply for up to a further 24 CP of Advanced Standing.

Please note: Advanced Standing cannot be granted for the following units:

  • BUS581A - Capstone Project
  • BUS581B - Research Project
  • BUS581C - Dissertation
  • OSSE500 - Overseas Study Experience
  • WORK500 - Work Integrated Learning – Professional Skills Development

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Opportunities include positions such as:

  • Economist
  • Policy analyst
  • Researcher
  • Community organiser
  • Project officer
  • Project consultant

Learning outcomes

  • Understand and critically apply advanced economic and other relevant disciplinary concepts to regional and community development in developed and/or developing countries with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to economic and regional development.
  • Apply an interdisciplinary approach in the design, management and evaluation of community-based development projects in regional and international contexts.
  • Produce scholarly reports or a thesis which demonstrate an understanding and application of skills in different themes of regional and community development.
  • Apply knowledge and skills to real issues facing communities and rural regions, and inform policy making bodies about regional and community development in developed and/or developing countries.

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $14,534 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $31,632 (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.