Are you passionate about the business and finance sector? Do you follow the national and international news? Then, an Economics degree is the answer. It has always been one of the most sought-after degrees amongst youth.
Economics degrees are designed to tackle all the issues that have an impact on financial situations, ranging from production to how resources are used. Candidates are trained to understand how the economy suffers fluctuations based on the market’s needs and wants followed by the market’s supply and demand.
By far one of the most crucial elements is that economics is divided into microeconomics and macroeconomic. Microeconomics deals with the economic behaviour at an individual level (companies, buyers, sellers and others), whilst macroeconomics illustrates the bigger picture, on a national or global scale (unemployment, economic growth, inflation and so on).
Having an economics degree increases anyone’s chances to find a job, regardless of the field. This is mainly due to the fact that graduates hold many transferable abilities, such as analytical and problem-solving skills, that are suitable for any career.
A study made by the London School of Economics and Political Science showed that graduates from an economics course have a starting salary of £33,000 per year. Having a job in the field right after graduation is a major positive aspect and comes with a lot of opportunities for career advancement.
Economics degrees are usually a three years commitment and sometimes are offered as part of a joint degree. This means that Economics can be studied along with another subject such as engineering, management, law, computer science and others.
This degree can be found either as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA). The BSc focuses more on economical theory and statistical techniques, while BA is combined with social sciences and qualitative modules.
As a university located in the nation’s quiet and sparsely populated capital, studying at the ANU is a unique university experience for most of us living in Australia. With most students being from interstate or overseas, the ANU experience is marked by its ‘on campus college culture’ and the move to living in share-houses with university friends in later years. In this way, it’s a great way to experience independence and lasting friendships made through the shared realities of ‘first time out of home’ responsibilities!
While the campus life itself is somewhat lacking – in part due to the fact that most students will return to their dorms, there is an easygoing joy to living in a city dominated by students. Grocery shopping and nights out tend to be opportunities to bump into classmates, and there are plenty of spaces for both extroverted gatherings and introverted recharging.
Academic support in some departments and mental health services are somewhat lacking. However, there is a broad and flexible range of degrees available to students, and it’s easy to switch degrees according to your experiences and shifting interests (as I have done many a time!)
One particular plus point of the ANU is their Year in Asia program, which allows students studying a language to do a year abroad (I’m spending a year in Korea right now!). The department which runs it – the College of Asia & Pacific, are fantastic, and the global exchange team is also very responsive and helpful! There are no strict requirements to this program, bar the continued study of your language of choice, and it allows you to broaden your academic fields and cultural experiences by living and studying at a leading university in Asia.
The ANU also has an internship program (ANIP) which, given the university’s proximity and connections to the Australian government, offers students an opportunity to include an internship experience in their degree.
In my final semester now, my time at the ANU has been long and winding, filled with its fair share of ups and downs, but it has been one of the most enriching and growth-filled experiences of my life. I’ve learnt a lot, not just in my studies, but also about life and who I want to be – and I hope your university experience will offer you the same.
View moreANU is ranked 12th in the world according to QS rankings for the program I’d pursued so naturally, it was top-notch in the way the subject content was delivered. The academic resources and materials offered were highly relevant and made us think out of the box. The faculty was very experienced and approachable. It was overall a very wholesome experience.
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