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Honours in Economics (ECON4004)

Why study Honours in Economics?

Studying economics at any level provides students with a better understanding of economic activity and outcomes. Apart from simple intellectual curiosity, a better understanding can lead to better outcomes for the individual as a participant in the economic system. Moreover, by providing a framework for analysing the efficiency and specific inefficiencies in various institutional and social arrangements, the insights gleaned from economic analyses can help guide and formulate public policy.

With the rapid expansion in economic knowledge and the increasing sophistication of the analytical techniques employed in economics, an honours year specialisation in economics enables students to achieve competency in a wide range of skills. Employers in both the public and private sectors expect high calibre graduates to possess these skills. Honours graduates attract higher initial salaries and experience more rapid career advancement and varied career opportunities.

An honours degree also provides an entry point for postgraduate study in economics both within Australia and overseas.

The School of Economics at the ANU has a proud history as one of the leading Australian Schools for both teaching and research in economics. The School provides the backbone of economics courses at honours and postgraduate levels at the ANU. In cooperation with economists located in the Institute of Advanced Studies, it is a focus for the highest level of economic research activity and training available in Australia.

Admission Requirements

Admission is by invitation only.  Potential honours candidates should make themselves known to the Honours Coordinator during their third year.  Generally, applicants from the ANU should have satisfied the requirements for the Bachelor of Economics pass degree at the ANU with a Distinction grade average in:

• ECON3101 Microeconomics 3,
• ECON3102 Macroeconomics 3,
• ECON3013 International Economics (H), and
• ECON3100 Economics 3 (H)

In addition, students should have passed the courses

• ECON2125 Mathematics for Economists A and
• ECON2127 Mathematics for Economists B.

Applications from students at other universities are welcomed. Applicants should have achieved an equivalent distinguished standard of performance in economics in their degree program. Students are required to take the bridging program offered by the School in February, which reviews the principal analytical economic and mathematical techniques upon which the program builds.
 

Course Structure

The course consists of a mix of coursework and research.  The coursework component requires the completion of six semester length courses.

Semester 1

• Microeconomics IV (ECON8011)
• Macroeconomics IV (ECON8022)
• Elective Course
• (Research Component)

Semester 2

• Two courses from:
  • Applied Welfare Economics (ECON8002)
  • Economics of Uncertainty and Information (ECON8021)
  • Public Economics (ECON8010)
• Elective Course
• (Research component)

The research component consists of a sub-thesis that is given the weight of two semester courses.

Elective courses are chosen from the ECON8xxx series courses offered by the School of Economics, subject to the approval of the Honours program convenor.

Further information can be obtained from the School of Economics or by email:

Email: honours.economics@anu.edu.au