Economics – Bachelor of Business

The Bachelor of Business (Economics) is a versatile degree where you will learn how the world of business works, and gain the skills to interpret global information and events.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand

Specialise in Economics for your Bachelor of Business at Massey

A versatile major, the Bachelor of Business (Economics) trains you in understanding how the economy operates at both micro and macro levels.

You will study the business environment, the role of competition and the connections between different sectors in the economy. You will learn about the effects the world economy has on New Zealand business and people. This includes what the government can do to foster healthy businesses and advance innovation, but also about the effects of excessive government interventions.

In this major, you can specialise in a number of areas including: international trade and finance, resource and environmental economics, financial economics, managerial economics and public policy.

Our lecturers and professors are actively researching both nationally and internationally, bringing the most relevant developments in business theory and practice to the classroom.

The Bachelor of Business will give you the leadership, communication and critical thinking skills that will make you a sought-after employee. It will give you skills you can use in many different types of businesses, in New Zealand and around the world.

You will gain a good grounding in economic fundamentals as well as a broad understanding of the core elements of business.

Further study

You may wish to consider the Master of Business Studies and then a PhD upon completion of this qualification.

A Bachelor of Business in Economics is a good fit if you:

  • have an interest in the world of finance
  • enjoy working with numbers
  • think analytically and logically.

Planning information

The BBus provides considerable flexibility, enabling you to take control of your own qualification within the regulations.

If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.

If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

Core business courses

There are ten core business courses and you must pass at least eight of them. The core courses are 115111115112, 115113, 115114, 115115, 115116115211115212, 115230 and 115340.

You must pass at least 60 credits of 100-level core courses within the first 120 credits, and and at least 30 credits of 200 or 300-level core courses within the first 240 credits of study towards the degree.

These are courses which cover topics across the business spectrum. They are designed to give you the leadership, communication and solid business skills that you will need in your career.

Minors

Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.

A minor must be in a different subject from your major.

A Bachelor of Business (Economics) with a minor

You may choose a minor from any University undergraduate degree that has recognised minors. If the minor is from another undergraduate degree, the regulations of that qualification will apply.

An Economics minor (for students who are studying a different degree)

If you are not studying a Bachelor of Business (Economics) and wish to complete a minor in Economics see the BBus regulations for the requirements of this minor.  

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Bachelor of Business

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Bachelor of Business core courses

Economics courses

Compulsory courses

Choose 90 credits from
Course code: 178200 Macroeconomics 15 credits

The development and application of macroeconomic models to globally-oriented economies, and the assessment of real-world policy problems from a practical perspective.

Prerequisites: 178100 or 115113

View full course details
Course code: 178201 Microeconomics 15 credits

The development and application of models of consumer optimisation, producer behaviour, and competition in markets.

Prerequisites: 115113 or 115106

View full course details
Course code: 178300 Macroeconomic Policy and Applications 15 credits

This course incorporates financial markets into macroeconomic models and analyses government policies that address current macroeconomic events.

Prerequisites: 178200

View full course details
Course code: 178301 Competition and Industry 15 credits

The modelling of microeconomic decision-making of competing firms in industries, with application to real-world issues.

Prerequisites: 178201

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Course code: 178312 Globalisation and Trade 15 credits

An examination of selected economic concepts to the operation of global trade, agribusiness and financial markets.

Prerequisites: 115113 or 119180 Restrictions: 178352 and 178358

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Course code: 178360 Sustainability, Environmental and Climate Change Economics 15 credits

A survey of environmental and climate change issues and the application of economic analysis to these issues and policies to achieve sustainable outcomes.

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Compulsory course selection

15 credits from

Choose 15 credits from
Course code: 178230 The Economics of Human Behaviour 15 credits

An in-depth exploration of people's real-world decision-making processes with insights from psychology and other behavioural sciences.

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Course code: 178280 Regression and Predictive Analysis 15 credits

An introduction to regression and predictive analysis, using real world data to provide actionable insights that aid organisational decision-making processes.

Prerequisites: 115113 or 115109

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15 credits from

Choose 15 credits from
Course code: 178370 Development Economics 15 credits

An examination of major development problems and issues, both domestic and international, from a combined economic theory, empirical and policy-oriented perspective.

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Course code: 178380 Business Forecasting 15 credits

Specification and estimation of business models for policy analysis and forecasting. Treatment of common problems encountered in real world data analysis using econometric models.

Prerequisites: 178220 or 178280 Restrictions: 178321 and 178320

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Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

There are career opportunities in both public and private sectors, large and small firms, international agencies, the education sector, economic policy makers and social organisations. The following are examples of some of the career options:

  • agricultural economist
  • business analyst
  • economic consultant
  • energy research officer
  • environmental economist
  • financial policy advisor
  • health economist
  • international economist
  • institution development coordinator
  • energy researcher
  • competition analyst
  • trainee dealer.

Government agencies such as Treasury, The Reserve Bank, the Ministry of Business and Innovation, and international agencies such as World Bank or International Monetary Fund all recruit economics graduates.

An economics degree can also be a gateway to employment in many other areas, like management, planning, politics, education, finance and banking, or in journalism and the media. You can design your economics major to suit your interests and career objectives.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

What our students say

“While challenging, I found the economics major at Massey to be extremely versatile, interesting and valuable. I developed strong quantitative, qualitative and critical thinking skills throughout. Skills that have enabled me to apply for, and deliver tangible change within, a wide range of jobs.”
Jessica Black

Bachelor of Business (Economics)

Accreditations and rankings

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Massey Business School is rated in the top 5% of global business colleges by AACSB International.

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QS Ranking - Business Management Studies

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for business and management.

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QS Ranking - Economics and Econometrics

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for economics and econometrics.

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ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration

Massey University is ranked #2 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.

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