Course details

Summary

Build on your existing academic excellence with a postgraduate qualification that prepares you for specialist positions in the public and private sectors and can be a pathway to doctoral study.

Programme overview

An MCom allows you to develop an advanced level of knowledge and competencies with an intellectually rewarding postgraduate programme in your specialist field.

Economics

Many of the great issues confronting societies nationally and globally require trade-offs between conflicting objectives. This is the essence of economics, which is a core component of the social sciences. Courses and requirements for the major and minor are designed to provide a broad but thorough appreciation of modern economics and also allow you to pursue your own interests in more specialised aspects of economics. Emphasis is placed on attaining competence in economic analysis and its application to real-world issues.

Stage I courses provide a broad introduction to economic thinking and an overview of micro and macroeconomics. Courses at Stage II and III build on this foundation and examine topics in more detail and in more specialised fields.

Areas of study

You can study all the main areas of economics. Microeconomics is about decision making by individual consumers and firms, and about how resources are priced and allocated through markets. Macroeconomics is about outcomes for an economy as a whole, and so is concerned with variables such as income, growth, wealth, inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and exchange rates. Microeconomics and macroeconomics are also concerned with the interaction between government policies and market outcomes.

When you undertake postgraduate study in Economics you will take advanced courses in the core areas of Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics. We also offer optional courses in many other branches of economics, including Game Theory, International Trade and Finance, Public Policy and Labour Economics, to name just a few.

Career opportunities

With a major in Economics, or a postgraduate degree from the University of Auckland you will have one of the strongest possible platforms for launching your career. You may choose to work as an economist or choose a career in other directions.

If you complete an undergraduate degree, your career options include:

• A trade negotiator for New Zealand in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
• An adviser for a leading NGO (non-governmental organisation).
• An economics expert in a management consulting firm.
• An economic advisor in one of New Zealand's political or commercial branches around the world.
• A trade consultant for one of the major law firms.

Programme structure

The MCom is a 120 or 180-point specialist masters degree that builds on a first degree in the same discipline.

The MCom (180 point) is a 12 or 15-month taught specialist masters comprising coursework and a short dissertation. If you have a first degree you can pursue an advanced specialized qualification in the same discipline.

If you have completed a BCom (Hons) or equivalent, you may be eligible to undertake a 120-point MCom degree by research comprising a supervised thesis.

Further study options

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Commerce other subjects: Accounting; Commercial Law; Finance; Global Management and Innovation; Information Systems; Marketing; Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Entry criteria

Taught 180 points: You must have completed an undergraduate degree in the same field as your intended specialisation at a recognised university (or similar institution). You will need a GPE of 5.0. Specialisations in accounting and finance require a higher GPE.

Research 120 points: You must have completed one year of postgraduate study, following an undergraduate degree, at a recognised university (or similar institution). Your study must have been in the same field as your intended specialisation and you will need a GPE of 5.0. Specializations in accounting and finance require a higher GPE.

English language requirements: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL (iBT) 90; TOEFL (paper-based) 575; CAE or CPE 176; PTE 58; MELAB 85.