Adelaide University
Master of Economics and Resource Policy Specialising in Global Food and Agribusiness
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Learn how to shape the global policies that promote sustainable agriculture, food security and rural development.
Course overview
In the Master of Economics and Resource Policy, you’ll acquire the skills to dissect the choices made by individuals, governments and businesses, along with their repercussions on individuals and the well-being of societies.
Develop knowledge and insights that will enable you to offer business strategy advice, provide context behind global economic trends and events and shape public policies.
Through the Global Food and Agribusiness specialisation, you’ll come to understand the complex and critical issues in global food and agricultural business systems through an economic lens. Delve into issues including environmental sustainability, water security and managing global food chains.
Benefit from hands-on learning with opportunities to complete a research project, internship and field trip. Graduate ready to work in roles across public service, industry, consultancies, not-for-profits, private business or continue your studies with a PhD.
Key features
- Be taught by renowned scholars and active researchers.
- Apply economic theory and methods to resourcing and policy development.
- Graduate with a competitive edge with your specialisation in Global Food and Agribusiness.
- Choose an internship, career development course or Higher Degree Research skill-building course.
- Complete a research project in an area of interest.
- Undertake a field trip that explores South Australia’s food industry systems.
Key facts
July, 2026
What you will study
Students must complete 96 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for core courses.
- 24 units for specialisation courses.
- 30 to 54 units for electives.
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth six units.
Complete 42 to 54 units comprising:
- 42 units for all program core courses; AND
One of the following:
- 12 units from Program selective courses - Economic Analysis; OR
- 12 units from Program selective courses - International Trade; OR
- 6 units from Program selective courses - Public Economics and Policy
- Economic Principles
- Global Food and Agricultural Markets
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Principles of International Trade and Development
- Research Methods and Development
- MERP Research Project (12 units)
- Advanced Development Economics
- Macroeconomic Theory
- Microeconomic Theory
- Time Series Econometrics
- Behavioural Game Theory and Experiments
- Agriculture and Food in International Trade
- Services Trade
- International Trade Theory and Applications
- Economics of International Finance
- International Trade
- Labour Economics Analysis and Applications
- Game Theory and Applications
- Public Economic Theory
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and fulfil any essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
- A completed bachelor's (AQF level 7) or bachelor's honours (AQF level 8) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution; OR
- A completed nested or related graduate certificate (AQF level 8) or higher from a recognised higher education institution.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.
Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.
Credit determinations will be:
- Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
- Academically sound.
- Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.
Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.
Credit will only be granted if it:
- Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
- Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
- Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.
For more information, contact the university or visit its website.
Outcomes
As a graduate, you’ll have the expertise to work in the broader field of economics or in a specialist role within the food and agriculture industry.
You might be an agricultural economist, interpreting and analysing data on agricultural markets, policies and systems or perhaps you’ll become an international development specialist, supporting agricultural development, food security and rural livelihood.
Other career opportunities may include:
- Policy Adviser
- Sustainability Consultant
- Data Analyst
- Business Analyst
- Supply Chain Manager
- Economic Researcher
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $43,100 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Fee-paying programs require the full tuition fees for your study, which can be deferred partly or in full to a FEE-HELP loan. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.