Why is something as superfluous as diamonds so costly, but something as essential as water so cheap? How can the cost of the coffee beans make up only a few cents of the price of a cup of coffee? With the world’s highest minimum wage rate, can Australia ever compete with low wage countries?
The ANU Bachelor of Economics provides a framework and a way of thinking to help answer questions like these. Your coursework will span economics (both theory and applied), economic history, and econometrics while developing your analytical problem-solving and quantitative skills.
Whether working as an economist or in some other role, your Bachelor of Economics degree and training will be sought after.
We live in a world of major security problems. From large-scale wars and strategic competition between the major states, to threats to the environment, and challenges at home such as terrorism, cybersecurity and the impact of new technology. The Bachelor of International Security Studies (BINSS) explores the enduring problems of security and war through a broad lens. It provides students with the empirical knowledge and analytical skills to understand the history and causes of international conflict and the implications of security issues for Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Students will develop the experience and communication skills to assess the nature of contemporary security problems, and drawing on the latest academic scholarship, engage with policy and civil society solutions to the security problems of our time.
The BINSS is particularly suited for those seeking careers in the Australian Government, such as working as a diplomat in Foreign Affairs and Trade, as a strategist in the Department of Defence, or as a security analyst in the Intelligence Community. Graduates will also be well placed to contribute to international organisations such as the United Nations, to Aid and Development groups, or to support the private sector as businesses and non-government organisations navigate a challenging world.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Employment Opportunities
Economics provides a foundation for careers in:
- Public policy
- International development
- Business and management
- Government and politics
- Law
- Finance and insurance
- Teaching and education
- Marketing and tourism
- Examples of job titles in economics are listed below.
Government Departments
Australian and overseas governments provide many career paths for economists. Departments like Finance, Treasury, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Productivity Commission and the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics recruit heavily from the ANU. Economists are also much in demand in other government departments dealing with issues such as Trade, Education, Employment and Social Security.
Business and Management
Firms recruit economists because their advice is vital to businesses in understanding their business environment, how competitors react, and how changes in things such as interest rates, oil prices, exchange rates and consumer demand are likely to affect the business. Consultancy and accounting firms employ economists to advise their clients which include both private firms and governments.
International Agencies
International agencies such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and Oxfam recruit economists to advise them on the effects of policy changes, financial crises and conflicts in one part of the global economy on another, as they are transmitted through trade and financial flows. Economists advise on trade policy and macroeconomic policy coordination.
Resource and Environmental Economist
Economists are employed to study natural resource use and environmental problems and their relationship to economic behaviour. Employers include mining firms and regulatory agencies. Economists contribute to the better management of natural resources and improving the global environment.
Schools and Universities
There is a thriving national and international market for academic economists in High Schools / Colleges and Universities.
Finance and Banking
Financial institutions including Banks, and in particular the Reserve Bank of Australia, actively recruit economists to advise them on the state of the economy and on risks from factors such as interest rate changes and exchange rate movements.
Economics provides a foundation for careers in:
- Public policy
- International development
- Business and management
- Government and politics
- Law
- Finance and insurance
- Teaching and education
- Marketing and tourism
- Examples of job titles in economics are listed below.
Government Departments
Australian and overseas governments provide many career paths for economists. Departments like Finance, Treasury, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Productivity Commission and the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics recruit heavily from the ANU. Economists are also much in demand in other government departments dealing with issues such as Trade, Education, Employment and Social Security.
Business and Management
Firms recruit economists because their advice is vital to businesses in understanding their business environment, how competitors react, and how changes in things such as interest rates, oil prices, exchange rates and consumer demand are likely to affect the business. Consultancy and accounting firms employ economists to advise their clients which include both private firms and governments.
International Agencies
International agencies such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and Oxfam recruit economists to advise them on the effects of policy changes, financial crises and conflicts in one part of the global economy on another, as they are transmitted through trade and financial flows. Economists advise on trade policy and macroeconomic policy coordination.
Resource and Environmental Economist
Economists are employed to study natural resource use and environmental problems and their relationship to economic behaviour. Employers include mining firms and regulatory agencies. Economists contribute to the better management of natural resources and improving the global environment.
Schools and Universities
There is a thriving national and international market for academic economists in High Schools / Colleges and Universities.
Finance and Banking
Financial institutions including Banks, and in particular the Reserve Bank of Australia, actively recruit economists to advise them on the state of the economy and on risks from factors such as interest rate changes and exchange rate movements.
Learning Outcomes
- Solve economic problems using analytical reasoning.
- Apply economic analysis to a wide variety of transdisciplinary issues.
- Use basic empirical estimation techniques to test predictions pertaining to multiple disciplinary areas.
- Provide insight into the way that households and individuals make decisions and interact, and the role of government in providing public goods and regulating the market sector.
- Communicate effectively rigorous economic analysis in a coherent way to multidisciplinary stakeholders.
- Identify and explain the key concepts, ideas and principal actors in international security.
- Evaluate the major theoretical frameworks for understanding the complexities of contemporary security challenges.
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the historical and contemporary dimensions of international, internal and transnational security, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Analyse the key challenges facing Australian security and defence policy
- Reflect critically on the principal factors that determine the security policies of Australia and the major regional powers
- Develop and demonstrate teamwork, interpersonal, and communication skills
Further Information
Students in the Bachelor of Economics (a single or a combined degree with Economics) are not eligible to take Economic Studies major or/and minor.
Electives: Electives can be selected from CBE or other Colleges.
Students wishing to undertake an out of college elective may contact the relevant College directly.
Student Responsibility:
It is the student's responsibility to select electives in such a way that:
- they satisfy prerequisites for the corresponding course/s.
- they conform to the rules set out in Programs and Courses or, if unsure, seek advice from the CBE office .
It is the student's responsibility to select the courses appropriate for his/her program.
Students in the Bachelor of Economics (a single or a combined degree with Economics) are not eligible to take Economic Studies major or/and minor.
Electives: Electives can be selected from CBE or other Colleges.
Students wishing to undertake an out of college elective may contact the relevant College directly.
Student Responsibility:
It is the student's responsibility to select electives in such a way that:
- they satisfy prerequisites for the corresponding course/s.
- they conform to the rules set out in Programs and Courses or, if unsure, seek advice from the CBE office .
It is the student's responsibility to select the courses appropriate for his/her program.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 85
- International Baccalaureate:
- 32
Prerequisites
There are no formal program prerequisites. But assumed knowledge is:-ACT: Mathematical Methods (Major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW: HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent. More information about interstate subject equivalencies can be found here.
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:
- achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
- if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
- applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program
Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Economics - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of International Security Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $56,120.00
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Economics flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must consist of:
42 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
ECON1101 Microeconomics 1
ECON2101 Microeconomics 2
ECON3101 Microeconomics 3
ECON3102 Macroeconomics 3
EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models
EMET2007 Econometrics I: Econometric Methods
STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods
6 units from completion of a course from the following list:
ECON1100 Economics I (H)
ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1
6 units from completion of a course from the following list:
ECON2016 Economics II (H)
ECON2102 Macroeconomics 2
minimum 12 units of Transdisciplinary courses:
CBEA2001 Indigenous Perspectives in Business and Economics
ECHI1006 The Australian Economy: Past and Present
ECHI3009 World Economy Since 1800
ECON2013 Behavioral Economics
ECON2014 Managerial Economics
ECON2108 Japanese Economy and Political Economy
ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory
ECON2900 Development Poverty and Famine
ECON3004 Health Economics
ECON3006 Financial Economics
ECON3127 Computational Methods in Economics
ECON3128 Resource and Environmental Economics
ECON3180 Advanced Behavioural Economics
ECON3023 Economic Policy Issues
minimum 18 units of the following courses:
ECHI1006 The Australian Economy: Past and Present
ECHI3009 World Economy Since 1800
ECON1100 Economics 1 (H)
ECON2009 Labour Economics and Industrial Relations Policy
ECON2013 Behavioral Economics
ECON2014 Managerial Economics
ECON2026 Money and Banking
ECON2091 The Economy, Politics and the State
ECON2108 Japanese Economy and Political Economy
ECON2125 Optimisation
ECON2131 Public Sector Economics
ECON2141 Strategic Thinking: An introduction to Game Theory
ECON2900 Development Poverty and Famine
ECON3004 Health Economics
ECON3006 Financial Economics
ECON3057 Industrial Organisation
ECON3100 Economics 3 (H)
ECON3103 International Economics
ECON3127 Computational Methods in Economics
ECON3128 Resource and Environmental Economics
ECON3152 Game Theory
ECON3180 Advanced Behavioural Economics
ECON3023 Economic Policy Issues
EMET3004 Econometrics II: Modelling
EMET3006 Applied Microeconomics
EMET3007 Business and Economic Forecasting
EMET3008 Applied Macro and Financial Economics
maximum 12 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU, which may include courses from the following course codes:
BUSI, BUSN, CBEA, COMP, ECHI, ECON, EMET, FINM, INFS, MATH, MGMT, MKTG, STAT
If your flexible double degree is within the College of Business and Economics (for example Commerce and Economics), the below study plan may show the same course twice. If this is the case, you must only do the course once and replace the other course with a University Wide Elective.
For majors and minors offered by the ANU College of Business and Economics, students may count a course towards multiple majors and minors. If a minor is a subset of all stated courses and/or prerequisites for a major, then completion of the major overrides completion of the minor, and only the major is regarded as having been completed. If all courses in a major and/or minor are compulsory courses in the degree, the major and/or minor will not be listed on the transcript.
The Bachelor of International Security Studies flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses
The 96 units must consist of:
The 144 units must consist of:
36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
STST1001 Introduction to International Security
STST1004 How Nations Fight: From Tsushima to Taiwan
STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific
STST2005 Why Nations Fight: The Causes of International Conflict
STST3002 Living with Giants: Australia's Security in a Contested Asia
STST3005 International Security in the 21st Century
A maximum of 12 units from completion of the following courses:
ASIA3088 The Korean War
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World
Minimum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following concepts and methods course list:
HIST2110 Approaches to History
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis
POLS3125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research methods
A minimum of 30 units from the completion of courses within one or more of the following Security, Language, and Area Studies majors and minors:
Languages
Arabic Language
Burmese Language
Chinese Language
French Studies
German Studies
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Studies
Japanese Language
Korean Language
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian Studies
Sanskrit Language
Spanish Studies
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Tibetan Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language
Regions
Asian History
Asian Studies
Contemporary Europe
Chinese Studies
Indian and South Asian Studies
Indonesian Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Middle East Politics and Security
Russian and Central Asia Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies
Issues
Ancient History
Climate Science and Policy
Criminology
Geography
Gender and Sexuality
History
Historical International Security
International Relations
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Social Research methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Technology, Networks and Society
A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving
A maximum of 12 units of internships courses:
ANIP3003 Australian National Internship Program Internship A
ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship
ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship
36 units from completion of the following compulsory course list:
STST1001 Introduction to International Security
STST1004 How Nations Fight: From Tsushima to Taiwan
STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific
STST2005 Why Nations Fight: The Causes of International Conflict
STST3002 Living with Giants: Australia's Security in a Contested Asia
STST3005 International Security in the 21st Century
A maximum of 12 units from completion of the following courses
ASIA3088 The Korean War
STST2003 Australia and Security in the Pacific Islands
STST3003 Honeypots and Overcoats: Australian Intelligence in the World’
A minimum of 6 units from completion of a course from the following concepts and methods course list:
HIST2110 Approaches to History
POLS2044 Contemporary Political Analysis
POLS2125 Game Theory and Social Sciences
POLS3001 Foreign Policy Analysis
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research methods
A minimum of 30 units from the completion of courses within one or more of the following Security, Language, and Area Studies majors and minors.
Languages
Arabic Language
Burmese Language
Chinese Language
French Studies
German Studies
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Studies
Japanese Language
Korean Language
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian Studies
Sanskrit Language
Spanish Studies
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Tibetan Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language
Regions
Asian History
Asian Studies
Contemporary Europe
Chinese Studies
Indian and South Asian Studies
Indonesian Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Middle East Politics and Security
Russian and Central Asia Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies
Issues
Ancient History
Climate Science and Policy
Criminology
Geography
Gender and Sexuality
History
Historical International Security
International Relations
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Social Research methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Technology, Networks and Society
A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving
A maximum of 12 units of internships courses:
ANIP3003 Australian National Internship Program Internship A
ASIA2110 International Affairs Internship
ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship
Minors
Bachelor of Economics Minors
Bachelor of International Security Studies Minors
Study Options
Year 1 | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods 6 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | Course toward completion of minor from list B |
ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units | EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models 6 units | STST1003 Coping with Crisis: The Practice of International Security 6 units | Elective | |
Year 2 | ECON2101 Microeconomics 2 6 units | EMET2007 Econometrics I: Econometric Methods 6 units | STST2001 Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific 6 units | Course toward completion of minor from list B |
ECON2102 Macroeconomics 2 6 units | List 2 Elective Course 6 units | POLS2132 War and International Relations 6 units | Course toward completion of minor from list B | |
Year 3 | ECON3101 Microeconomics 3 6 units | List 2 Elective Course 6 units | STST3002 Living with Giants: Australia's Security in a Contested Asia 6 units | Course toward completion of minor from list B |
ECON3102 Macroeconomics 3 6 units | List 2 Elective Course 6 units | Elective | Elective | |
Year 4 | ECON Core Course 6 units | List 1 Elective Course 6 units | Course toward completion of 18 unit requirement of list A | Course toward completion of 18 unit requirement of list A |
List 1 Elective Course 6 units | List 1 Elective Course 6 units | Course toward completion of 18 unit requirement of list A | Elective |
Back to the Bachelor of Economics page
The Bachelor of Economics degree offers you rigorous training in the analytic tools of economics, and the opportunity to apply these to a wide variety of economic issues. It is an intellectually challenging degree that develops powers of logical analysis. It offers you an insight into the ways in which households and individuals make decisions and interact, and the role of government in providing public goods and regulating the market sector.
Single degree
- This degree requires 24 courses (144 units)
- A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
- 13 compulsory courses
- 11 electives (of which 3 must be CBE List 1 elective courses)
Semester 1
- ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 - 6 units
- STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods - 6 units
- List 1 Elective Course - 6 units
- Elective - 6 units
Semester 2
- ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1- 6 units
- EMET1001 - Foundations of Economic and Financial Models - 6 units
- List 1 Elective Course - 6 units
- Elective - 6 units
Commencing Semester 2:
Semester 2
- ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 - 6 units
- STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods - 6 units
- Elective Course - 6 units
- Elective - 6 units
Double degree
- This degree requires 96 units of CBE courses
- A maximum of 48 units of 1000 level CBE courses
- 13 compulsory courses
- 3 CBE List 1 elective courses
Semester 1
Semester 2
- ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1- 6 units
- EMET1001 - Foundations of Economic and Financial Models - 6 units
Commencing Semester 2:
Semester 2
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Economics single degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total
of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 courses across
your whole degree. You will need to complete a minimum of 16 CBE courses (96
units) but will also get to choose 8 courses (48 units) from other ANU
Colleges. You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a
non-CBE subject, the choice is yours.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of Economics double degree
program you will study a total of 16 courses (96 units). Typically you will take 4
courses per semester (total
of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses (96 units)
across
your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2
courses from your Economics degree and then 2 courses from the other half
of you degree - still a total of 4 courses a semester.
Enrolment Status
It is
possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to
finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international
student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’
courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course
code, such as ECON1101.
Please also note that:
- You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
- In your first year, you cannot study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
- You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) in total towards your single degree.
- You can change your enrolment via ISIS in courses up until the Monday of Week 2.
Electives
You can use your electives to enrol in any courses that you like, provided you meet prerequisite requirements.
- Remember that you can choose up to 8 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Economics degree.
- If you are in a double degree, your electives must be CBE courses.
- Don't forget the maximum number of 1000 level courses is 10 in single degree.
Study Options
Bachelor of Economics
This is a typical study plan for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Economics degreeStudy Options
Year 1 48 units | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods 6 units | CBE List 1 elective 6 units (ECHI1006) | Elective 6 units |
ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units | EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models 6 units | CBE List 1 elective 6 units | Elective 6 units |
Bachelor of Economics - Double Degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Economics with another degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts (degree B).Study Options
Year 1 48 units | ECON1101 Microeconomics 1 6 units | STAT1008 Quantitative Research Methods 6 units | Degree B course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units |
ECON1102 Macroeconomics 1 6 units | EMET1001 Foundations of Economic and Financial Models 6 units | Degree B course 6 units | Degree B course 6 units |
Disciplines
For further information on specific discipline you can:
- Find information here (http://cbe.anu.edu.au/students/)
Academic Advice
If after reading through these guidelines you are unsure about your
which courses to enrol in, you can email info.cbe@anu.edu.au
If
you are seeking status
(credit) from previous study at another university you will need to
submit a copy of your official transcript, detailed course outlines and a
completed credit application form to info.cbe@anu.edu.au
Please refer to the CBE Fast Track page:
https://www.cbe.anu.edu.au/fasttrack
Back to the Bachelor of International Security Studies page
When you study the Bachelor
of International Security Studies you will delve deeply into the
contemporary security threats facing nations, international organisations and
businesses around the world - including the threat of military power, civil
war, terrorism, cybercrime, environmental degradation and food security to name
just a few. Read more about this degree on our website.
Enrolment Status
It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, but it
will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an
international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each
semester.
Remember you will need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second
Semester. You will be able to change your enrolment in courses up until
the end of week 2 of each semester without penalty. Other things to be aware of:
A course can only be counted towards one major or minor.
You can’t study more than 4 courses (24 units) per semester.
You may need to enrol in courses for your major and/or your minor, particularly if you are completing a double degree.
If you are intending to enrol in language courses and have previous experience with the language you wish to study, you need to sit a placement test to ensure you are enrolled at the most appropriate level of language study. Further information is available here.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ASIA1234.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
Electives
You can use your electives to enrol in any courses that you
like, provided you meet prerequisite requirements.
To find 1000-level courses, search
Programs and Courses.
Remember, though, that if you are a single-degree student you cannot count more than 60 units of 1000-level courses towards the completion of your degree. If you are a double-degree student, you cannot count more than 36 units of 1000-level courses towards the completion of the 96 units allocated to the BINSS half of your degree.
Study Options
Single Degree example
This is an example only - you need to plan your degree carefully to ensure that you are on track to fulfil the requirements of the BINSS program orders. You may, for example, wish to leave a substantial number (24) of elective units free so that you can study overseas for a semester.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | 1000-level course from the Language, Security and Area Studies minor list | 1000-level elective course | 1000-level elective course |
STST1003 Coping with Crisis: The Practice of International Security 6 units | 1000-level course from the Language, Security and Area Studies minor list | 1000-level elective course | 1000-level elective course |
Double Degree example
This is an example only - you need to plan your degree carefully to ensure that you are on track to fulfil the requirements of both degrees.Study Options
Year 1 48 units | STST1001 Introduction to International Security Studies 6 units | 1000-level course from the Language, Security and Area Studies minor list | Course from second degree | Course from second degree |
STST1003 Coping with Crisis: The Practice of International Security 6 units | 1000-level course from the Language, Security and Area Studies minor list | Course from second degree | Course from second degree |