BlogUniversityPros and Cons of a Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie Uni

Pros and Cons of a Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie Uni

We’ve given you all the information about studying a Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie Uni, but you may still feel like there are some gaps in your knowledge. 

Never fear, today we are going to get personal! It’s time to find out the good, the bad and the ugly about this degree. We’re going to be picking the brains of Rochelle, a Macquarie Economics and Science student, to find out all the tiny details there are to know about studying this degree. 

Keep reading — you’re in for a good one! 

Why should you study an Economics degree at Macquarie Uni?
Top 3 Pros of an Economics Degree
Top 3 Cons of an Economics Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting Macquarie Economics
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying Macquarie Economics
Potential Career Paths

Why should you study an Economics degree at Macquarie Uni?

If you’re into stats and have a keen eye for numbers, this may be the degree for you. Studying Economics at Macquarie is your chance to develop your knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.

Macquarie Economics - Quote

You’ll have a solid grasp of the economic policies of international governments, and you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the Australian budget and what it means for the general population.

Top 3 Pros of an Economics degree

#1: Real world knowledge

A Bachelor of Economics is incredibly broad and touches on many professional aspects. More than this though, you’ll learn how to put what you’re learning into practice and achieve results. 

“You’ll do lots of case studies and you’ll do lots of examples with things like ticket pricing, the global economy — it can be anything really! The best part I’ve found, is that most of the time you get to choose what you look at, so it’s quite flexible,” Rochelle said. 

Having this kind of knowledge will really increase your skills, thereby increasing your employability. Some units also focus on group work and major projects, which will help you know how to collaborate efficiently when it comes time to getting a job. 

#2: A small cohort size 

Rochelle explained that although this is a large cohort to begin with, “by the end of the degree it drops down to about 60 in the entire cohort size”. 

“The foundation level economic units are core units for every degree in the faculty,” she said. After this though, it gets a lot smaller. 

Small cohorts like this can be really great for getting to know your fellow students! You’ll get to work collaboratively, find people to study with and hopefully create lasting friendships. 

It also means that by the end of your degree, tutors and lecturers are likely to know you personally. This is a big plus, not only in getting helpful information, but in generating long-term rapport that can carry you into the workforce.

#3: Broad study choice 

From second year, students are given option units within their core areas of study. You can choose between macro and micro units, econometrics and more. 

“There’s also things like health economics, policy, international economics, money, finances — there’s a broad range,” Rochelle told us. 

By third year, you’ll be choosing almost entirely your own subjects. “It’s pretty much all your choice, except for one unit,” she said. 

This is quite unique about Macquarie, and it means that students can learn exactly what they want to, early on in the course. Again, this is great for employability. 

It also means that students won’t tire of what they are learning, and are likely to work hard to achieve the results they want. Being able to tailor your study pattern can enhance your chance of looking for internships, finding niche areas to study and just being a more engaged student. 

 

Top 3 Cons of an Economics degree

#1: Different teaching styles can be hard 

In one sense, it’s excellent when lecturers have different ways of teaching in which they can engage students. However, it can also be challenging to learn from lecturers that you don’t quite click with. 

“I’ve had some where lecturers just come in and talk to you — others are a lot more interactive,” Rochelle said. 

Some lectures at Macquarie are incredibly long. Rochelle said she’s had lectures of two hours, or even three! If you don’t love listening to your teacher, this could be a real challenge. 

#2: Exams, quizzes, assignments… and lots of them!

A Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie is chockablock full of exams and assessments. The majority of subjects have two exams, with a number of quizzes throughout the semester. 

Rochelle explained, “Usually you will have a final exam in pretty every single unit. Throughout the semester, you might have weekly or fortnightly quizzes and a mid semester exam, with one or two assignments throughout. You might also end up in a unit where you have a major project.” 

Ultimately, you’re looking at about three or four assessments per unit, which is quite a lot. To put it in perspective, that’s 12-16 assessments per semester, so more than one a week when averaged out. 

This may sound really stressful, and it is for many students. However, it also means that each assessment isn’t weighted too highly. You can pace yourself throughout the semester rather than having to cram at the end. 

#3: That’s all! 

Rochelle didn’t have a third con to share. It’s important to remember, however, that every person is different and your student experience will vary from that of your peers. 

Any regrets? 

“I regret not going on exchange. I originally put it off because I was still trying to get used to university. When I finally decided I was ready to go on exchange, COVID travel restrictions meant that I didn’t get to have that experience as part of my degree,” she shared. 

Many students reflect a similar regret to Rochelle. Exchanges are a wonderful opportunity to enrich your learning! If you’d like to learn more about the possibility of going on exchange, you can head here.

What do you wish you had known before starting Macquarie Economics? 

“I wish I had known more about it… and more about university in general. First year was a big difference. Just knowing how to pick units and all of those sorts of things would have been really helpful,” Rochelle said. 

This really speaks to the experiences of a lot of students. Though Macquarie has great support for new uni students, it’s even better if you can find out a bit about how university works ahead of time. 

To get a head start and find out what you can expect from uni, check out our resources here!

What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities? 

Rochelle said Macquarie is pretty standard in the units it follows. However, she also thinks it differs in a couple of key areas. 

She was quick to tell us that the lecturers at Macquarie were “amazing”! Rochelle said that the faculty and cohort is a real standout in this degree. It’s a really encouraging culture. 

“It’s quite good, the faculty is very supportive. They [provide] a lot of extra things you can do if you’re interested — things like networking or mentoring. The cohort is generally quite friendly and through your units you’ll get a lot of opportunity to interact through group work and things, so you’ll get to know them pretty well by the end,” she explained.

In your first year, you even have the opportunity to have a mentor from within the faculty to guide you through uni life. 

Further, a Bachelor of Economics as a standalone degree is relatively hard to come by. Usually Economics is a major within a Commerce degree, or a later specialisation. 

What inspired you to choose Macquarie Economics?

“I chose my degree because I’ve always had an interest in economics and I wanted to pursue that further. In my time at Macquarie, I’ve been exploring the ways I can make a career out of my degree and how I can use this to help people,” Rochelle shared.

If you also have an interest in economics and are trying to figure out how to make a career out of your degree, Macquarie may be a great option for you!

What are the possible career paths?

Macquarie Economics - Careers

With a degree in Economics from Macquarie, you could find yourself in a private or public organisation — working in banks, or even NGOs. Here’s a few key career paths to get you thinking: 

    • Contractor 
    • Investor 
    • Financial adviser 
    • Academic 
    • Government adviser 
    • Economic researcher 
    • Data analyst 
    • Economic risk analyst 
    • Accountant

At the end of the day, this degree sets you up with some key skills to enter into many different fields! You’ll have the opportunity to think critically and flexible about your career path, and work hard to achieve your aspirations. 

Well, there you have it — you’ve now got all the info under your belt to decide whether a Bachelor of Economics at Macquarie is right for you! There’s plenty of great things to consider about this degree, so it’s certainly one to think about. 


Lucinda Garbutt-Young hopes to one day be writing for a big-shot newspaper… or maybe just for a friendly magazine in the arts sector. Right now, she is enjoying studying a Bachelor of Public Communication (Public Relations and Journalism) at UTS while she writes on the side. She also loves making coffees for people in her job as a barista, and loves nothing more than a sun shower.

 

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