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Bachelor of Economics/Arts

Join Australia’s #1 Business School
You have reached the maximum of 6 degrees.
Ideal for students who want to cast a wide net and broaden their career opportunities, the Arts and Economics double degree provides the flexibility to explore various specialisations, from linguistics, politics and criminology to macroeconomics and financial markets. You’ll develop transferable skills through industry experience and graduate career-ready.
Commencing Terms
Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration
4 Year(s)
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Kensington
Codes
UAC code 424450
Program code 3574
CRICOS code 074886M
Entry Requirements
ATAR/2024 lowest selection rank
91.0
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$14,500*
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
$57,500*
UNSW Business School on campus

International application pause for 2025 intakes

Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.

Overview

This double degree will appeal to students who want a strong, focused and highly regarded business degree, complemented by studies in the arts, social sciences and/or languages.

Economics is an influential social science which explores how society can best use finite resources - like time, money and effort. Economics subjects will equip you with analytical and statistical skills you can apply to any government or business role. Core studies in economic theory and econometric methods combined with a specialisation in econometrics, economics or financial economics will give you a solid grounding in modern economics analysis.

You can choose from more than 35 Arts majors, where you will develop transferable skills and in-depth knowledge, and gain the tools to think critically, communicate effectively and conduct independent research.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

UNSW Business School has been ranked the #1 business school in Australia by AFR BOSS for the last two years in a row*. That means our business education leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation.

This degree is suitable for people with an interest in both economics and in the arts and humanities, who are seeking the skills, knowledge and competencies needed for a range of career options in government and industry sectors.

You'll gain a professional economics qualification with the option to explore studies in the arts, social sciences and languages related to your career aspirations or personal interests. You will learn how to think originally and creatively.

Our strong industry connections ensure the knowledge, skills, and experience you gain will be relevant and in-demand. Alongside a rigorous education, you'll grow professionally and socially through Career Accelerator networking, mentoring and internship opportunities and diverse student-led societies. 

*AFR BOSS 2023 Best Business School Rankings

 

Program Code
3574
CRICOS Code
074886M
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
424450
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
192

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Entry requirements

Entry to this degree is based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or an equivalent rank derived from the following:

  • Australian interstate Year 12 qualifications (e.g., OP rank)
  • New Zealand NCEA Level 3
  • Equivalent overseas qualifications e.g., International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, GCE A-Levels
  • Post-secondary or tertiary qualifications
  • An alternative entry qualification

 

2024 Lowest Selection Rank
91.0
2024 A levels
14.0
2024 IB Diploma
35.0
2024 Lowest ATAR
78.95
    1. The 2024 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024.
    2. The 2024 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
    3. The 2024 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2024. It is to be used as a guide only.
    4. The 2024 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
  • At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.

    To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.

    We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics Advanced

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies. 

HSC Plus 
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points. 

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) 
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways


Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW. 

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW. 

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study. 

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

International direct entry

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Admission pathways


If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence. 

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Program structure

The Bachelor of Economics component of this degree involves completing 16 courses. You can choose from a wide variety of courses according to your interests or focus on a major study area. You’ll be able to study an optional Economics major, choosing from Macroeconomics and Financial Markets, Data Analytics and Econometrics, and Economic Policy and Society. In addition to your major, you'll also have access to Business School electives and exclusive internship opportunities. 

The Bachelor of Arts component of this degree also involves completing 16 courses, including a major and a minor in a broad variety of subjects. You can choose from History, Philosophy, Sociology and Anthropology, Film Studies and Asian Studies, just to name a few.

For current and detailed course information, visit the Economics / Arts Handbook

    • Arts and Social Sciences
    • Asian Studies
    • Australian Studies
    • Chinese Studies
    • Creative Writing
    • Criminology
    • Development Studies
    • English
    • Environmental Humanities
    • European Studies
    • Film Studies
    • French Studies
    • Geographical Studies
    • Geography
    • German Studies
    • History
    • Human Resource Management
    • Indigenous Studies
    • Indonesian Studies
    • International Business
    • International Relations
    • Italian Studies
    • Japanese Studies
    • Korean Studies
    • Linguistics
    • Media, Culture and Technology
    • Modern Greek Studies
    • Music
    • Philosophy
    • Politics
    • Politics and International Relations
    • Psychology
    • Sociology and Anthropology
    • Spanish and Latin American Studies
    • Theatre and Performance Studies
    • Women's and Gender Studies
  •  
    • Data Analytics and Econometrics
    • Economic Policy and Society
    • Macroeconomics and Financial Markets

Future careers

UNSW Business School's Career Accelerator portfolio offers students exclusive access to a suite of for-credit, co-curricular and business experience opportunities to kick start your career.

Potential careers

  • Economist
  • Financial adviser
  • Foreign trade officer
  • Government policy adviser
  • Investment banker
  • Management consultant
  • Policy adviser

Honours

Take your Economics studies to the next level with an additional one-year Honours degree, where you'll gain advanced knowledge and research skills in your chosen area of business. You'll have the opportunity to be mentored by top-tier researchers and work on industry relevant projects while undertaking a significant research thesis. Graduate with advanced knowledge, analytical, problem-solving and research skills that are highly sought after in business and government. Learn more about Economics Honours

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$14,500*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$57,500*

Commonwealth Supported Place multiple Student Contribution Bands may apply for this double degree. See single degrees for the applicable fee bands.*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included.

2024 Indicative First Year Fee
$49,000*
2024 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$212,000*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships


At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.


Top 20
Worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2025.

Most
Employable Graduates

AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

Leading
Innovation

#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

The learning culture at UNSW, which challenges the status quo, helped set me apart from others.
Alumni, Harry Goldberg

Harry Goldberg

Founder

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