Bachelor of Economics
at Macquarie University, New South Wales.
A quantitative economics degree built around microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and applied policy analysis. Most providers offer specialisations in finance, public policy or international trade.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Macquarie University Bachelor of Economics. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official UAC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The BEc at Macquarie is a numerate social-science degree. Year one locks in introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics, mathematics for economics (or calculus and linear algebra), and statistics or econometrics. Most students also take economic history or international economics. Year two layers intermediate micro and macro, econometrics, money and banking, and an applied stream (development, environmental, labour or financial economics). Year three is theory-heavy: advanced micro, advanced macro, time-series and applied econometrics, and a capstone empirical research paper. Many students double-major in finance, mathematics or data science. The BEc differs from a BCom by requiring less accounting and management and more analytical theory and modelling. Expect Stata, R or Python from second year.
Example first-year subjects
- Introductory Microeconomics
- Introductory Macroeconomics
- Mathematics for Economics
- Business and Economic Statistics
- Economic History or Economic Issues
- Introductory Econometrics
How you will be assessed
- Final exams of 50 to 70 percent in core economics and econometrics units
- Econometrics empirical projects using Stata or R
- Problem-set assignments worth 10 to 30 percent per quant unit
- Group reports applied to a real policy question
- Capstone empirical research paper in third year
- Tutorial participation and weekly online quizzes
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as economists at the Reserve Bank of Australia, Treasury, Productivity Commission and the major consultancies.
- Common destinations include economic-consulting firms (Deloitte Access Economics, Frontier Economics) and financial-services research desks.
- Many alumni move into policy roles in state and federal departments or into graduate finance and analytics programmes.
Typical first jobs
- RBA, Treasury or Productivity Commission graduate analyst
- Economic consultant at boutique firms and the big four
- Government economic policy graduate (NSW Treasury, Federal departments)
- Banking and markets analyst at the major banks
- Data analyst with an economic lens at tech and consulting firms
- Researcher at think tanks and economic research institutes
Graduate starting salary
$65,000 - $80,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Macquarie BEc Honours (added year four, supervised research thesis) is the standard route into the Reserve Bank of Australia, Treasury and Productivity Commission graduate programs, and into Master of Research and PhD study. Combined bachelors with Advanced Studies, Laws or Computing are widely taken. Coursework masters options include Master of Economics, Master of Economic Analysis, Master of Public Policy, Master of Applied Econometrics and the Master of Finance.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students confident with calculus, statistics and mathematical modelling
- Those interested in policy, central banking, regulation and data work
- People who enjoy reading economics papers and building empirical models
- Students aiming for the RBA, Treasury or Productivity Commission graduate streams
- Those happy to take electives in mathematics and computer science
It is probably not for you if
- Students who want a vocational business degree (consider a BBus or BCom)
- Those uncomfortable with mathematical proofs and abstraction
- Anyone seeking a primarily qualitative social-science experience
Related courses at Macquarie
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Macquarie University handbook and on UAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/macquarie/bachelor-of-economics.