Bachelor of Economics
at UNSW Sydney, New South Wales.
A three-year economics degree from UNSW Business School at Kensington. The assumed knowledge is Mathematics Advanced; English Advanced and Mathematics Extension 1 are recommended. Economics majors are data analytics and econometrics, economic policy and society, and macroeconomics and financial markets.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the UNSW Bachelor of Economics for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 92.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 91.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 91.00 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Students complete an economics major in data analytics and econometrics, economic policy and society, or macroeconomics and financial markets. An optional second major can be taken from the Bachelor of Commerce list, or students can take a combination of economics electives. High achievers can add an Honours year, and Economics combines with degrees such as Arts, Commerce, Actuarial Studies, Education (Secondary) and Law.
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: qilt.edu.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates work as economists and analysts in government, central and commercial banks, consulting and research, with membership of professional bodies depending on major. Honours is the usual route into research and specialist economist roles.
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 UNSW
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the UNSW Sydney website and on UAC before applying.