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Faculties and schools_

School of Economics

Understanding and shaping the broad framework of our society
Economics is a diverse and fascinating discipline that addresses a range of issues that we face in modern life and plays a central role in shaping our society at every level.

Our undergraduate and postgraduate economics programs consistently rank in the top five for Australia*. We have a long and proud history of research strengths and teaching excellence and are one of the most highly ranked centres for research in economics globally. 

Our academics and researchers are leaders in their fields. Their broad expertise promotes a deep understanding of the key concepts of economics and a focus on contemporary issues.  

Our alumni are highly sought after and have included a former Prime Minister, several NSW premiers, and leaders in the World and Reserve Banks. Our graduates have also held influential positions in the Treasury and other policy departments, international agencies such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), financial institutions and non-government organisations.

Our study offering

Undergraduate courses

The Bachelor of Economics introduces you to a diverse, fascinating discipline that addresses a range of big issues in modern life and plays a central role in shaping the broad framework of society at every level. It provides undergraduate training in theoretical and applied aspects of modern economics, econometrics and financial economics. 

Majors and minors

Below is a list of our economics majors and minors, available to students in the Bachelor of Economics (except where indicated) and numerous other undergraduate courses - click on the links for further details.

Econometrics

Economic Policy*

*Not available to Bachelor of Economics students

Economics

Environmental, Agricultural and Resource Economics

Financial Economics

Honours 

Honours is an additional year (full time) of study following completion of a three-year bachelor’s degree. It provides an opportunity to develop research skills in your undergraduate major by undertaking advanced coursework and conducting a supervised but independent research project. An Honours year adds greater depth to your undergraduate studies and is a pathway to postgraduate research courses such as the PhD.

If you have completed your bachelor’s degree (with the required academic grades) with a major in economics or econometrics at the University of Sydney (or equivalent qualification), you can undertake Honours in economics or econometrics through one of the following courses.

Undergraduate diploma 

This part-time course allows holders of a bachelor’s degree in another discipline to complete a major or minor in Economic Policy.

Non-degree study

Non-degree study allows you to take undergraduate units of study (subjects) without committing to a full award course (e.g., bachelor’s). Successfully completed units may be credited towards a relevant award course at a later date.

Cross-institutional study

If you are enrolled in an undergraduate award course at another Australian institution you can take units of study (subjects) with us for credit towards your course (subject to the approval of your home institution). 

Postgraduate coursework programs

Whether you’re an economics graduate or have no background in economics, the Master of Economics will provide you with the skills to apply economic methods and knowledge to practical, contemporary problems in business and government. The duration of the course depends on your background in economics.

If you have a strong background in economics and/or mathematics and are looking to receive advanced training or a pathway to higher degree by research study (e.g., PhD), the Master of Economic Analysis is the ideal choice. 

If you don't have time to commit to a master's or prefer to 'test the waters' first, you can take a shorter program of study in the above areas through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma.

Economics specialisations

Economics is available as a specialisation in the following courses:

Economic Policy is available as a specialisation in the Master of Public Policy.

Non-award study

Non-award study allows you to take postgraduate units of study (subjects) without committing to a full award course (e.g., master’s). Successfully completed units may be credited towards a relevant award course at a later date.

Cross-institutional study

If you are enrolled in a postgraduate award course at another Australian institution you can take units of study (subjects) with us for credit towards your course (subject to the approval of your home institution).

We offer the following higher degree by research (HDR) options to economics graduates, depending on their academic background and choice of course duration. 
 

Our people

Visiting academics

Yufan Du, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, January - June 2024

Professor Jocelyn Martel, ESSEC Business School, February 2024

Dr Susan Mendez, University of Melbourne, February - June 2024

Dr Giorgia Menta, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), February 2024

Maria Hofbauer Pérez, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, February - April 2024

Dr Francisco Rosas, ORT University Uruguay, February 2024

Professor Joachim Winter, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, February - March 2024

Tim Ruberg, University of Hohenheim, February - March 2024

Professor Stefan Trautman, Heidelberg University, March 2024

Professor Ariel Kalil, University of Chicago, March 2024

Professor James Duffy, University of Oxford, March - April 2024

Professor Moriah Bostion, Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Professor of Economics and Chair of Economics, Lewis and Clark College, March 2024

Professor Andreas Peichl, Ifo Institute, March - April 2024

Dr Harold Cuffe, Victoria University of Wellington, August 2024

Assistant Professor Christian Ochsner, Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education – Economics Institute, October - November 2024

 

Professor Timothy Richards, Marvin and June Morrison Chair of Agribusiness, Arizona State University, January-June 2023

Assistant Professor Adam Martin, Norco College, January 2023

Associate Professor Ariel Ortiz-Bobea, Cornell University, January-July 2023

Professor Jocelyn Martel, ESSEC Business School, February 2023

Professor Kristina Strohmaier, University of Duisburg-Essen, February-March 2023

Assistant Professor Mirjam Stockburger, Justus Liebig University Giessen, February-March 2023

Professor Moriah Bostion, Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr. Professor of Economics and Chair of Economics, Lewis and Clark College, March 2023

Associate Professor Nikki Shure, University College London Social Research Institute, March 2023

Associate Professor James Duffy, University of Oxford, March-April 2023

Assistant Professor Sibo Liu, Hong Kong Baptist University, May 2023

Professor Yifan Zhang, Chinese University of Hong Kong, May 2023

Professor Paul Raschky, Monash University, May 2023

Professor Colin Cameron, University of California, Davis, July-August 2023

Professor Paul Kitney, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, July-August 2023

Professor Pär Österholm, Örebro University, August-December 2023

Dr Ayden Higgins, University of Oxford, August 2023

Assistant Professor Zhihao Xu, Tsinghua University, August 2023

Dr Kentaro Tomoeda, University of Technology Sydney, September-December 2023

Professor Carol McAusland, University of British Columbia, November-December 2023

Professor Josh Graff Zivin, University of California San Diego, November 2023

Professor Jocelyn Martel, ESSEC Business School, February 2022

Professor Pascaline Dupas, The Kleinheinz Family Professor of International Studies, Stanford University, June 2022

Dr Silvia Griselda, Bocconi, July-August 2022

Associate Professor Julie Moschion, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, August-September 2022

Past events and public lectures

The School of Economics celebrated the tercentenary of the birth of Adam Smith by hosting 'Adam Smith at 300' on Friday 16 June 2023.

Emeritus Professor Tony Aspromourgos delivered the lecture to a crowd of alumni, students and guests. 

Listen to the lecture: Adam Smith at 300

Watch the lecture: Adam Smith at 300

The School of Economics marked its Centenary on Wednesday 20 July 2022 with a celebratory dinner in the historic MacLaurin Hall. Australia’s first dedicated Faculty of Economics was established at the University of Sydney in 1920 and has since produced more than 20,000 graduates, including those who have gone on to be Prime Ministers, Premiers, Ministers of State, Chief Justice, Reserve Bank Governor, Secretary of Treasury, distinguished academics and leaders in business and finance.

Our celebration included a keynote presentation by alumnus Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, speeches by Professor Garry Barrett, Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson AC and VC Professor Mark Scott AO.

The School of Economics was established from 1 January 2011 to serve as the primary institutional vehicle for Economics research and education within the University of Sydney. That year the school inaugurated an annual public lecture series – the Warren Hogan Memorial Lecture – devoted to the economic analysis of public policy issues. It commemorates Warren Pat Hogan (1929–2009), Professor of Economics in the University of Sydney, 1968–1998.

  • 2023
Ms Besa Deda
 
Chief Economist of the Westpac Group (BT, Westpac Business Bank, St George Bank, Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA)
 
 
  • 2022

Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP

Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT

Watch the lecture: Economic Dynamism: A Global Perspective

  • 2020

Dr Kerry Schott AO

Chair of the Australian Energy Board and Director of NBN

Watch the lecture: Economic policy amid disruption

  • 2019

Hon Chris Bowen MP, Shadow Minister for Health

  • 2018

The Hon John Winston Howard OM AC
Former Prime Minister of Australia

  • 2017

Dr Guy Debelle

Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia

  • 2016

Ms Annabel Spring (BEc Hons '92, LLB Hons '94)
Group Executive Wealth Management, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

  • 2015

Dr Martin Parkinson
Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Commonwealth of Australia

  • 2014

Mr Hugh Harley (BEc Hons '84, LLB Hons '86)

Financial Services Leader, Price Waterhouse Coopers

  • 2013

Dr John Laker (BEc Hons ’72)
Chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

  • 2012

Charles Calomiris
Henry Kaufman Professor of Financial Institutions, Columbia University Graduate School of Business

  • 2011

Mr Glenn Stevens (BEc Hons ’80)
Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia

*2023 QS World University Rankings for Economics & Econometrics

Social Sciences Building

Head of School

Profile shot of Professor Garry Barrett

Economics Review

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School of Economics

The Sandra Cadwallader Indigenous Economics Scholarships

$50,000 yearly scholarship to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study a Bachelor of Economics.
Eligibility and more information

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