Bachelor of Economics
A Bachelor of Economics (BEc or BEcon) is an undergraduate degree for students who study economics in depth. It can also be seen in variants such as BA(Econ), BS(Econ)/BSc(Econ), BCom(Econ), or BSocSc(Econ), and sometimes as specialized names like Bachelor of Economic Science. The goal is to give you a solid grasp of economic theories, principles, and how to apply them to real-world problems.
The program covers a wide range of topics, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, economic history, and international economics. It is generally more theoretical and mathematically rigorous than a basic economics major.
Graduates often work in economic analysis, policy development, finance, or business consulting, and many continue on to graduate study. The exact structure varies by university, but most programs mix a core of theory with courses in different branches and applied areas.
In the United States, these programs are usually offered within a College of Arts and Sciences, while in Commonwealth countries they are often housed in a commerce or social science faculty. Some schools offer a one-year Honours degree after three years, typically requiring an Honours research thesis. Many students also combine economics with another field (such as finance or management), or with math, statistics, or other social sciences. There are also options like PPE (philosophy, politics, economics), joint majors with mathematics, or specialized tracks such as Development Economics, Econometrics, Political Economy, Agricultural Economics, Financial Economics, or Business Economics. Some universities offer a Bachelor of Applied Economics focused on careers.
Core coursework usually includes microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, with intermediate courses before moving to more advanced topics. Macroeconomics explores large-scale models and policy, while microeconomics covers individual choice, markets, and sometimes game theory. Econometrics uses data analysis to test economic relationships and often involves software like STATA, EViews, and R. Other major areas you might study include monetary economics, international economics, development economics, labor economics, and welfare economics. Some programs from the social science side emphasize economic statistics and political economy and may place less emphasis on econometrics or advanced math.
Mathematics for Economists and statistics are common prerequisites or core components, especially for those aiming at graduate study. In many programs, students take extra math courses such as calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and optimization. The exact math and statistics requirements are generally heavier in Bachelor of Science programs than in Bachelor of Arts programs.
Overall, the BEcon combines theory, math, and real-world application, with many options to tailor your degree through majors, tracks, or honours. The specific courses and requirements depend on the university you choose.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 12:38 (CET).