Economics Major - Bachelor of Business
Are you logical, analytical and fascinated by how incentives affect human behaviour? Study economics in the Bachelor of Business degree.
The discipline of economics is founded on the three fundamental fields of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. Concepts from these areas can be combined to provide answers to some of the most pressing problems facing the world, such as poverty, unemployment, climate change, crime and inequality. Alternatively, they can be applied to the commercial sphere, and can address issues like domestic and international competition, consumer and firm behaviour, world trade and finance, and economic growth and development.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Business.
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As an economics student you'll learn how markets work, how government operates, and the impact global affairs can have on individuals. You'll also become familiar with data processing and data presentation with the Economics major.
Year 1
In the first semester, you take four core courses that cover fundamental business concepts:
- BUSS505 Consumer and Organisational Behaviour
- BUSS507 Financial Decision Making and Information Systems
- BUSS508 Economics and International Business
- BUSS509 Ethics, Responsibility and Sustainability
In Semester 2, you study:
- ECON520 Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON521 Principles of Macroeconomics
You also start to take the first courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses.
Year 2 & 3
You develop an understanding of how economic theory can be applied to a wide range of issues faced by consumers, businesses and governments.
Economics courses may include:
- ECON620 Microeconomics: Choice and Welfare
- ECON621 Macroeconomics: Models, Data and Policy
- ECON622 Introduction to Econometrics
- ECON720 Microeconomics: Competition, Risk, and Strategy
- ECON721 Applied Macroeconomics
- ECON722 Applied Econometrics: Casual Inference for Social Impact
You also continue to take courses from your second major, minor(s) or elective courses.
Workplace experience
Work integrated learning is the final part of your degree and takes place in your final semester. You can choose to do a placement in an organisation of your choice, do a virtual internship or complete a research project, bringing together your learning and gaining valuable experience.
Recent placements included:
- Auckland Council
- ASB
- Goldman Sachs
- KPMG
- Spark
- The Warehouse Group
- Vodafone NZ
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Build your degree
Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.
https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/business/courses/bachelor-of-business/economics-major
Skills you will develop
The outcomes for graduates of the Economics major are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.
Current students looking for specific requirements for business majors should refer to Canvas.
Career opportunities when you study the Economics major
- Acquisition manager
- Business risk auditor
- Financial markets analyst
- Investment banker
- Service designer
- Researcher in a consulting firm or non-profit organisation
- Strategic planner, analyst or policy advisor in a local council
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other majors in the Bachelor of Business
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
- Information Systems
- International Business and Strategy
- Management and Leadership
- Marketing
Other economics study options
- Study at an internationally recognised School of Economics
- Can open up a wide range of career opportunities
- Option to include subjects from outside of business as part of your degree
- Valuable workplace experience in an organisation of your choice
- Interested in testing theories with empirical data
- Keen on modelling behaviour with attention to detail
- Analytical and a good communicator
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.