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Study economics , Ākona te mātauranga ōhanga

Study economics at Massey to analyse how – and why – people, businesses or governments earn and spend money.

Need help or know what you want to study?

Graduate work-ready

Get the skills employers need: explore latest theories and practice,

Top-rated

Massey's Business School is ranked in the top 5% of business colleges worldwide by AACSB International.

World-wide recognition

Be work-ready on a global scale. Many Massey qualifications are recognised around the world, as well as in New Zealand.

Overview

How do businesses decide what to produce? What drives prices and consumer behaviour? What are the economic effects of government policy on inflation, innovation and more?

Learn from world-class lecturers and researchers with expertise in areas such as ecological or sports economics, and the economic impact of volcanoes. Interpret local and global events, understand the choices we make, and the impacts – from the personal to international. Explore the latest theories and practice. Hone your leadership, communication and critical thinking. Graduate work-ready, with skills employers need.

Business internships via Massey

Economics is a good fit if you:

  • enjoy school subjects such as maths or social sciences
  • want to work in government, or in business or finance
  • think analytically and logically.

Economics courses may cover:

  • development economics, which focuses on ways for lower-income countries to prosper
  • economic principles like scarcity, supply and demand
  • environmental economics
  • international trade and finance
  • macro economics (countries and governments)
  • micro economics (people and businesses)
  • public policy, which are government decisions.

How to study economics

Discover what we offer if you’re interested in economics – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career

Undergraduate study

An undergraduate qualification is generally the first thing you’ll study at university.

Bachelor's degrees

Degrees are the standard qualifications you do at university – the most common is called a bachelor’s. Degrees give you enough time to explore your interests, and also focus on specific subjects.

Undergraduate diplomas

Undergraduate diplomas let you try university study before you commit to a degree. They’re also useful if you need to advance your career.

Graduate diplomas

Graduate diplomas can help you advance to postgraduate study or research in a subject you haven’t majored in for your undergraduate study.

Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in

When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equivalent experience – you’ll be ready to take on postgraduate study.

Postgraduate bachelor's degrees with honours

Go deeper into a major subject from your undergraduate bachelor's degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma; at a higher level of study.

Master's degrees

A master's degree normally builds on a main subject of study from your undergraduate degree.

Postgraduate certificates

Postgraduate certificates give you an introduction to postgraduate-level study. They’re shorter than postgraduate degrees. If you’re successful, you may be able to use the credits towards a postgraduate diploma

Postgraduate diplomas

Postgraduate diplomas are postgraduate-level qualifications that are longer than a postgraduate certificate. If you’re successful, you might be able to use the credits towards the longer master’s degree.

PhD and other doctoral degrees

Doctoral degrees, including PhDs, are the highest degrees we award. They’re very demanding and their entry criteria reflect this.

Relevant research areas at Massey

Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to economics at Massey.

Economics research

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)

Jobs in economics

Understanding economics principles makes you valuable in business and the public sector. Careers include strategic roles in economic policy, environmental issues, investments, or trade. Some graduates move into research, teaching or writing.

Economics careers include:

  • business analysts, who help organisations solve business problems and improve how they do things
  • economists, who analyse and advise a particular sector such as agriculture, health or the environment
  • energy research officers, who track energy markets
  • journalists specialising in business news and analysis
  • policy analysts, who interpret information for government or businesses
  • politicians in local or national government
  • teachers or lecturers.

Annual salary ranges for jobs

Salary ranges disclaimer

Indicative pay rates are:

Which economics qualification?

Examples of where our qualifications may take you.

Table showing jobs and what you could study to enter them.
Jobs Examples of what you could study
Business analyst Bachelor of Business
Energy research officer Master of Business Studies (Economics)
Policy analyst Bachelor of Business (Economics)
Teacher Postgraduate Certificate in Business

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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Association of MBAs (AMBA)

Massey's MBA programmes (MBA and EMBA) are accredited by the Association of MBAs

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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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Get an information guide

Download our guide to find out more about studying economics at Massey.

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