Program Overview
The Master of Economics at UWA is designed for students seeking careers as economic researchers and decision-makers. It offers a comprehensive curriculum covering core topics in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Students can specialize in Applied Economics, Financial Economics, or Health Economics, and can choose an additional specialization or select options from a variety of focus areas. The program is taught by experienced academics and provides opportunities for engagement with international visiting experts and guest lecturers.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Economics is designed for students who plan to pursue careers as economic researchers and decision makers in the public or private sectors. The course attracts people employed by the public service and private enterprise, as well as teachers already holding a Bachelor of Economics who seek to improve their professional qualifications through postgraduate studies. Topics covered include microeconomics, macroeconomics, international economics, financial economics, resource economics, public economics, quantitative economics, economic history and economic development.
Outline:
The Master of Economics is a postgraduate coursework degree that can be completed full-time or part-time. The course structure is as follows:
- Core - Group A (18 points):
- ECON4402 Microeconomic Theory (6 points)
- ECON4413 Applied Advanced Econometrics (6 points)
- ECON4418 Macroeconomic Theory (6 points)
- Specialisation Groups (24 points):
- Students must choose one specialisation group from the following:
- Applied Economics
- Financial Economics
- Health Economics
- Additional Specialisation or Options (30 points):
- Students can choose an additional specialisation group or select units from any of the specialisation groups or options groups.
- Research Dissertation Specialisation (24 points):
- Students who choose the research dissertation specialisation will take the following units:
- ECON5881 Master's Dissertation (Economics) Part 1 (6 points)
- ECON5882 Master's Dissertation (Economics) Part 2 (6 points)
- ECON5883 Master's Dissertation (Economics) Part 3 (6 points)
- ECON5884 Master's Dissertation (Economics) Part 4 (6 points)
Teaching:
The Economics Department at UWA enjoys a large number of international visiting experts and guest lecturers. For more than two decades, the discipline has been a partner in the innovative PhD Conference in Economics and Business, which has hosted almost 600 students from major universities around the world. In addition, the discipline’s international connections are further enhanced by a significant flow of economists from other institutions who visit the Business School to present research results and to work with our staff and students. Recent visitors include Sir David Hendry from Oxford University, and the late Arnold Zellner from the University of Chicago. Further, the annual Shann Memorial Lecture invites a prominent economist to deliver a presentation in the area of economics and finance. All of these events generate considerable interest from the economics community and stimulate the discipline’s teaching and learning activities.
Careers:
Graduates can expect to find work in government agencies at the local, state and federal levels, as well as opportunities in the private sector including banks, consultancy companies, international agencies, insurance companies and the finance industry. As an economist, you could assess the implications of global economic trends on the Australian economy, regional economies or individual industries. In the area of applied economics, you might conduct research and analysis of global and local events for federal agencies such as the Treasury, Reserve Bank of Australia, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and Productivity Commission.
Other:
The Master of Economics is a challenging but rewarding program that will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in a career in economics. The program is taught by experienced and passionate academics who are experts in their field. The UWA Business School is a world-class institution with a strong reputation for excellence in teaching and research. The program is also highly flexible, allowing you to study full-time or part-time and to choose from a variety of specialisation groups.
