Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics

Demand for agricultural business professionals continues to grow. The Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UNE is the longest running agricultural and resource economics degree in Australia.

Through the study of agricultural and resource economics you will gain an understanding of the key challenges and trade-offs confronting business, government and the community at large. You will develop the knowledge, skills and attributes required for high level problem solving and economic decision making across a diverse range of agricultural and natural resource issues such as food safety and security, natural resource depletion, climate change, sustainability and increasing globalisation and integration of agricultural and food networks.

Core units include microeconomics and macroeconomics, farm and resource management, rural finance and risk management, environmental and natural resource economics, international trade and business, and economic analysis of chains and networks. This degree is taught with a global perspective to ensure you understand the current challenging issues across the economic, environmental, social and political environments. You will also develop an understanding of social responsibility in relation to agricultural and business practices, and an appreciation of the importance of the environment and sustainability.

The degree gives students the flexibility to choose between a coursework only option and an embedded Honours program in which you undertake a supervised program of reading and research involving the preparation of a dissertation that reports on a particular investigation of an area of economic enquiry. Opportunities also exist to undertake practical work experience and to participate in overseas study tours and study exchange programs that value add to the degree.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. BAgResEc: understand, explain and apply disciplinary concepts to agricultural and natural resource issues;
2. with initiative and judgement apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to address real agricultural and natural resource issues;
3. use quantitative data to critically analyse agricultural and natural resource issues and understand their role in economic and business decision-making and policy decisions;
4. be effective communicators of agriculture and resource economics by communicating results, information or arguments to a range of audiences for a range of purposes and using a variety of modes; and
5. be accountable for their own learning and work by being independent and self-directed learners; working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context; taking responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters; and demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to agricultural and resource economics and personally practising ethical conduct.
6. BAgResEc with Honours: demonstrate an advanced understanding, explanation and application of disciplinary concepts to complex agricultural and natural resource issues;
7. with initiative and judgement apply critical thinking and advanced problem solving skills to address complex agricultural and natural resource issues and develop new understanding;
8. be effective communicators of agriculture and resource economics by communicating results and research to informed professional audiences;
9. conduct a research investigation under supervision in a research or professional environment by critically analysing a challenging complex or multi-faceted problem, identifying research questions, designing and planning a project; selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools to address a research question; analysing, interpreting and critically evaluating research findings; and
10. be accountable for their own learning and work by being independent and self-directed learners; working effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context; taking responsibility and accountability for personal outputs and all aspects of the work or function of others within broad parameters; and demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to agricultural and resource economics and personally practising ethical conduct.

All domestic students apply through the link below

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International