A framework for thinking
Economics is about choice and is at the heart of decision-making. Governments, businesses and individuals are all faced with making choices in situations where resources are scarce.
Economics is not just a subject, it is a way of thinking, and provides a logical way of looking at a variety of issues. That’s why Otago Economics graduates are so well regarded – they are leading problem solvers and think outside the square.
Economics is an exciting, dynamic, contemporary field. Economics affects everyone and applies to a range of disciplines including business, politics, history, law, health sciences and biotechnology. It deals with topics such as unemployment, economic growth, housing, income inequality, international trade, sustainable development and the environment. You name the field, Economics plays a part.
Studying Economics teaches you how to examine people's ideas and come to your own soundly-based conclusions. No matter what career you're aspiring to, you will find Economics invaluable.
Otago Economics graduates are well known for their wide range of analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills, and are in high demand by employers. There are literally countless jobs for Economics graduates. You could be a policy analyst, a business consultant, an economics researcher, a financial adviser, a diplomat, a teacher, a bank manager or a journalist. An Economics background would also be invaluable for someone contemplating setting up his or her own business.
Our graduates can be found in jobs across the public and private sectors, for example:
Economics is all about choice. This also applies to how you study the programme.
Economics can be studied as:
The choice is yours!
Each paper is taught in a lecture format and most papers include weekly tutorials where you'll have the opportunity to discuss the lecture topics in more detail. Just like at secondary school, assessment will include assignments, tests, essays and exams.
Economics complements a range of other majors and degree programmes such as Finance, Accountancy, Marketing Management, Management, Law, Political Studies, Philosophy, History, Geography, Psychology, Mathematics and a range of languages. The options are endless.
The University of Otago has exchange agreements with more than 100 institutions in over 30 countries. If your marks average B or better, you may qualify to attend one of these institutions for one semester or for a year. You pay only your New Zealand fees and complete your qualification within the same timeframe as if you'd never been away. Commerce students are also encouraged to participate in one of the more than 50 specific business exchanges the Otago Business School offers.
There are no prerequisite subjects to study Economics – you don't even have to have studied Economics at school. However, you might find English, Mathematics or Statistics useful subjects to study – especially if you want to major in Economics.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BSNS 113 Economic Principles and Policy ECON 112 Principles of Macroeconomics | 18 18 |
| Above 100-level | Three ECON papers at 200-level or above, including at least one of: and at least one at 300-level. | 54 |
| Total | 90 |
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECON112 | 2025 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 18 | Semester 2 |
| ECON206 | 2025 | The World Economy | 18 | Semester 2 |
| ECON207 | 2025 | Environmental Economics | 18 | Semester 1 |
| ECON210 | 2025 | Introduction to Econometrics | 18 | Semester 1 |
| ECON301 | 2025 | Labour Economics | 18 | Semester 1 |
| ECON303 | 2025 | Economics of Developing Countries | 18 | Semester 2 |
| ECON306 | 2025 | Economics of Health and Education | 18 | Semester 2 |
| ECON308 | 2025 | Public Economics | 18 | Semester 1 |
| ECON316 | 2025 | Open Economy Macroeconomics | 18 | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON317 | 2025 | Urban and Regional Economics | 18 | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON318 | 2025 | Behavioural Economics | 18 | Semester 1 |
| ECON350 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON351 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON371 | 2025 | Microeconomic Theory | 18 | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON376 | 2025 | Macroeconomic Theory | 18 | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON502 | 2025 | Growth, Institutions and Development | 20 | Not offered in 2025 |
| ECON505 | 2025 | The Economics of Natural Resources and Public Choice | 20 | Not offered in 2025 |
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
Department of Economics
Otago Business School
Email economics@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/economics
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.
