Course details

Summary

Postgraduate certificates provide the opportunity for continuing professional development in the same area as an original degree. A postgraduate diploma can often lead to a master's degree.

Postgraduate certificates are available to graduates who wish to build on an earlier degree, and who have appropriate practical, professional or scholarly experience. Some are available only on a part time basis. Waikato University offers specialist postgraduate certificates as well as postgraduate certificates.

Economics

Studying Economics will help you develop the analytical skills needed to be an effective problem solver of real-life issues. You'll learn how to apply your skills to issues ranging from employment and housing, to public health, transport and environmental pollution.

Studying Economics will help you see the world in a different light; and understand how to apply this new perspective to help resolve issues in our society. You'll learn how to help people, governments and businesses make better decisions about using natural and financial resources to meet different goals.

Economists contribute to government decision-making on many different issues, such as shaping new laws and taxes, or advising on international trade agreements. They can also be involved in recommending incentives and penalties geared towards changing people's behaviour, such as encouraging people to leave their car at home.

You'll learn how to explain the reasons for different market structures, analyse the implications of government policy, anticipate how people might react to price changes, and demonstrate the gains from trade.

The practical assignments in Economics can be both challenging and creative. For example, in the first-year paper ECON100, you may create a YouTube video that explains basic economic ideas using real-world examples, and in the second-year paper ECON200, you may analyse a country and come up with some policy options for maintaining its internal macroeconomic stability and global competitiveness.

Career opportunities

• Business analyst
• Financial analyst
• Policy analyst / adviser
• Government economist or in Treasury
• Management consultant
• Economics Researcher
• Economics teacher / lecturer

Entry criteria

A recognized bachelor’s degree with a B/B+ grade average. You must also have a major in the relevant subject area with a B/B+ grade average.

English language requirements:

IELTS - 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in writing); iBT (internet based TOFEL) - 90 with a score of 22 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic- 65 with English language requirements no less than 58 for each communicative skill; From Waikato Pathways College - Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic (CAAE) programme.