During your studies you will develop frameworks and methods for analysing social and economic issues. You will gain an understanding of strategic decision-making and an ability to view issues within a national or international context. The emphasis is on developing your competence in economic analysis and applying this to real-world issues.
Our students enjoy research-informed teaching from academics at the leading edge of their discipline. Graduate students receive a rigorous training in current economic methodology and undertake their own research at the frontiers of the field.
Our staff have PhDs from some of the best universities in the world and are among the top-ranked researchers in New Zealand. They are active nationally and internationally at conferences and in publishing their research.
Where can Economics take you?
Studying economics is a pathway to productive and rewarding work in corporations, small and medium enterprises in the private sector, or public sector organisations. A postgraduate qualification opens up further opportunities.
Potential roles include:
- Consultant to commercial banks or financial institutions
- Analyst for the Reserve Bank, Treasury, government departments, consulting firms or research institutes
- Trade policy adviser
- International trade consultant
- International business manager
- Financial market analyst
- Trade negotiator for New Zealand at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva or in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Wellington
- Adviser for a NGO (non-governmental organisation)
- Economics expert in a management consulting firm
Undergraduate study in Economics
Economics is available for undergraduates who are studying at the Business School and/or the Faculty of Arts.
What can you study in Economics?
You can complete a Bachelor of Arts in Economics or a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics (potentially alongside another complementary major).
Stage I courses deal with the broad areas of microeconomics and macroeconomics. Microeconomics is about decision-making by individual consumers and firms, and how resources are priced and allocated through markets. Macroeconomics deals with outcomes for an economy as a whole, such as employment and exchange rates. Both microeconomics and macroeconomics are concerned with how government policies and market outcomes interact.
At more advanced levels, you can study all the main areas of economics and pursue your own interests.
How to structure your study in Economics
Bachelor of Arts
You can take a major in Economics as one of your two BA majors (a double major). Complementary BA majors with Economics could be Politics and International Relations or Sociology. You could also choose your second major from a subject such as History or English if you wanted to add another dimension to your studies.
You will need to pass at least 120 points (eight courses) towards each of your majors, including at least 45 points (three courses) at Stage III.
If you first enrolled in a BA prior to 2020
For a single major you must pass at least 135 points, including at least 60 points above Stage II.
For a double major you must pass at least 120 points in each of two majors, including at least 45 points above Stage II in each major.
For a BA minor you must pass at least 90 points, including at least 60 points above Stage I.
Required courses
You must pass the following courses as part of the Economics major:
- ECON 152, 201 and 211
Bachelor of Commerce
You can take a major in Economics as one of your two BCom majors (a double major). You will need to complete a minimum of 24 courses (360 points). In your first year of study, a set of seven compulsory core courses (105 points) will become the building blocks for your degree.
If you wish to major in Economics you can enrol in ECON 152 in your first year, providing you have achieved one of the following:
- NCEA – 16 credits in Level 3 Economics with a Merit average including standard 91399
- Scholarship – pass in Economics
- CIE – B grade in Economics or
- IB – 4 out of 7 in Economics (HL) or the equivalent
If you wish to major in Economics but have not studied the subject previously, you will need to enrol in ECON 151 in your first year.
Courses
Stage I courses include:
- Macroeconomics
- Understanding the Global Economy
Stage II courses include:
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics
- Game Theory
- Introduction to Econometrics
- Development of the International Economy
- International Economics
Stage III courses include:
- Advanced Microeconomics
- Economics of Labour Markets
- Law and Economics
- Firms and Markets
- Advanced Macroeconomics
- Advanced Econometrics
- International Trade
Explore Economics courses
Undergraduate Economics courses
Help and advice
For general student enquiries, please contact the Business Student Centre if you are completing a BCom degree or the Arts Students’ Centre if you are completing a BA degree.
Postgraduate study in Economics
Many of the great societal issues require trade-offs between conflicting objectives. Understanding these issues is the essence of Economics.
What can you study in Economics?
You can study Economics at postgraduate level in the Business School or the Faculty of Arts. Courses taught at postgraduate level include:
- Microeconomic Theory
- Industrial Organisation
- Macroeconomic Theory and Policy
- Topics in Money, Banking and Finance
- Econometrics
- Topics in International Trade
- Trade Policy
- Advanced International Finance
- The History of Economic Thought
- Energy Economics
- Various special topics
Courses
Postgraduate Economics courses
Scholarships and awards
Each year we award scholarships and prizes to thousands of students.
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for, search available scholarships or begin an application by visiting Scholarships and awards.
Help and advice
For general student enquiries, please contact the Business Student Centre.
To contact a postgraduate adviser or the subject convenor, visit Key contacts.