Adelaide University
Master of Economics and Resource Policy Specialising in Public Economics and Policy
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Make a positive impact on the lives of millions of people, particularly those in disadvantaged communities and developing countries.
Course overview
Learn how to analyse, interpret and inform government policies and interventions that address contemporary global issues. Build core knowledge across courses in economic principles, global food and agricultural markets, principles of international trade and development and cost-benefit analysis.
In your Public Economics and Policy specialisation, you’ll learn the processes of how economic decisions are made by governments and organisations. Discover how individuals and organisations can shape and govern economic interactions and policies that impact society. Build the knowledge required to understand how decisions and policies impact societal objectives.
Your courses will include topics like evaluation methods of public policy, labour economics and public economic theory. Build practical skills in your final year through an internship, research elective or undertake a professional career development opportunity. Lay the groundwork for your chosen profession by completing a research project, strengthening your knowledge in economics and resource policy. Graduates can expect to work in sectors like public service, industry, consultancies, not-for-profits and private businesses, or may continue to a PhD.
Key features
- Learn from economic scholars and research-active economists.
- Apply economic theory and methods to issues of resourcing and policy.
- Gain a competitive edge in future careers with your specialisation in Public Economics and Policy.
- Complete an internship, research or career development opportunity elective.
- Undertake a personalised research project aligned to your career goals.
- Study alongside a cohort of professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Key facts
July, 2026
What you will study
Students must complete 96 units comprising:
- 42 to 54 units for core courses.
- 18 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
Learning outcomes
- Build foundational knowledge in key areas of economics and concepts and theories that help explain the world around us.
- Dive into economic theories in global food and agricultural production markets.
- Learn about analytical frameworks used by economists to better understand how a business can meet chosen objectives.
- Study current trade and economic development policies affecting global communities.
- Learn how to apply modelling solutions to real-world problems.
Career outcomes
Work in the diverse field of economics or in a specialist role within public economics and policy. Become a leader in the dynamic intersection of economics and resource policy.
You could work as a government economist, providing advice, evaluating policies and conducting research for government agencies or ministries. You might be a government policy analyst, predicting the effectiveness of policies, evaluating their success and giving recommendations for improvement.
Other careers you might like to pursue include:
- Policy Adviser
- Public Sector Manager
- Public Finance Specialist
- Public Policy Analyst
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Economic Policy 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.