University of New England

Master of Economics

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

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.

Course overview

If you’re passionate about economic development, agricultural and resource economics, or efficiency and productivity analysis, the 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.

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
Online
Course Type
Master's
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
24 months (Full time)
Price Per Unit
From $3,628
More Information
Estimated prices are calculated based on a first year and full-time study load of eight units or 48 credit points.

From $2,099 (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.
Intake
February, 2026
June, 2026
Units
16
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
FEE-HELP, HECS, CSP

What you will study

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.

Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is valued at six credit points.

Rule A

Core units

Complete the following units:

  • Research Methods
  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • Quantitative Techniques for Management

Additional core units

Complete one from the following units:

  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics

Complete one of the following research unit options:

Research unit option 1 (Capstone Project)

Complete the following unit and 12 credit points at 500-level chosen from the General Program or relevant Major.

  • Capstone Project (12 credit points)

Research unit option 2 (Dissertation)

Complete the following unit:

  • Dissertation (24 credit points)

Approved majors or general program

Complete one major or the general program from the following for 42 credit points:

  • General Program
  • Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Economics
  • Economic Development
  • Efficiency and Productivity Analysis

Contact the university or visit its website for the complete list of units under each approved major or general program.

Rule B
Rule C

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

This course is offered under three 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.

Rule C: You have completed a graduate diploma (AQF Level 8 or overseas equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

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

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

  • Agricultural 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 admitted under Rule B, you will be granted 24 CP of Block Advanced Standing.
  • If admitted under Rule C, you will be granted 48 CP of Block Advanced Standing. You cannot apply for further 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 admitted under Rule A, you can apply for up to 48 CP of Advanced Standing.
  • If 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:

  • BUS505 - Research Methods
  • BUS581A - Capstone Project
  • BUS581C - Dissertation

Outcomes

Career outcomes

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

Learning outcomes

  • 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.
  • Communicate complex ideas clearly and coherently, in written form and interactive oral form to expert and non-expert audiences, individually or in collaborative contexts.

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $16,792 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year fee in 2026: $29,024 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time: $365

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.