Economics is more than just a business discipline—it’s a way of looking at the world. It’s about important issues such as unemployment, inflation, interest rates, competition, business strategy, the sustainable use of resources and the impact of decisions made by governments. An understanding of economics is essential to understanding real-world issues and finding real solutions.

With the help of world-class economists, you will develop essential knowledge about economic behaviour, the workings of economic systems and the skills used in analysing economic issues in a wide range of contexts.

QUT’s strength in applied economics research means you will learn to use social, cognitive and emotional factors to gain an understanding of the economic decisions of individuals and institutions, and their effects on markets and public choice.

An economics minor is also an excellent complement to other majors as it offers students the opportunity to develop a wider understanding of economics. An economics minor will also enhance students’ employability prospects by developing analytical and strategic thinking skills widely recognised as an outcome of economics training.

If you’ve ever wondered why the Reserve Bank of Australia puts up interest rates, or what is the best way to make the earth a cooler place by fighting climate change, or if you’ve asked whether Facebook makes the economy more productive, consider economics as a major.

Real-world learning

Our lecturers have a wide range of real-world experience in finance, government policy making and in industry, so their teaching reflects current thinking and is based on practical situations and outcomes. These links also provide access to guest lecturers, who add their own experiences and challenges to your learning and thinking.

This course will take you on a journey through both microeconomics (individual firm or industry) and macroeconomics (entire nations). You will apply theory to topics of current interest, such as the federal budget, changing age demographics and climate change. You will learn how to collate data for your analysis, make decisions on relevant economic theories and models, and refine this into possible solutions for the real world.

The capstone unit, contemporary applications of economic theory, integrates earlier learning by giving you the opportunity to analyse specific commercial, social and environmental issues.

Within the corporate world, economists work as analysts and consultants. Economists guide the strategic direction of firms to respond to changes in global economic conditions, structural changes within the sector or changes in government policy. In government, economists design and evaluate policy at all levels from treasury to health and education and everything in between.

You will be employable in a variety of settings, from a range of government, treasury, policy and economic development roles, to manufacturing, transport, communications, banking, insurance and investment.

Graduate positions include:

• private and public sector economist
• business analyst
• business consultant
• public sector manager.

Professional recognition

You will meet the academic requirements for professional membership of the Economics Society of Australia.