Why do 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.