The Economics Honours Programme
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Admission to honours requires a "B+" average or better.
The prerequisites for the honours degree in economics differ from faculty to faculty. The following shows the prerequisites for each faculty:
BA(Hons)
ECON 201, 213 (or 211), 321; and any 42 300-level ECON credits (45 from 2011).
MA/BCom(Hons)
ECON 201, 213 (or 211), 321; and 42 further 300-level ECON credits (45 from 2011) with two-thirds from ECON 322, 323, 324, 325 or 326.
BSc(Hons)
ECON 201, 213 (or 211), 321, 322, 323, 324 and 325; and MATH 108 and 109 (or previous equivalents).
There are circumstances under which some of the prerequisites can be waived. See the Graduate Studies Coordinator to discuss your particular circumstances.
Honours students take 4 papers per semester plus a research paper which lasts the full year.
Not all courses will be offered in any one year: a list of courses offered is available from the department. See postgraduate courses for more information on which courses may be offered.
The 5 year LLB/BCom(Hons) or LLB/BA(Hons) option (Economics)
Strong students who are thinking of taking the LLB/BCom combination may wish to consider completing an LLB/BCom(Hons) or LLB/BA(Hons) in economics in the same time-frame. The traditional undergraduate double degree combination takes a minimum of five years. Admission to the BCom(Hons) or BA(Hons) does not require a BCom or a BA. Admission requires an undergraduate degree and the right mix of courses in that degree. An LLB that contains the appropriate economics courses allows admission to honours. Hence it is possible to "over point" a four-year LLB and then proceed to an honours year by undertaking the following course of study (or some rearrangement of) in an LLB:
Year 1 - 144 points
LAWS 101
ECON 104 + 105
MATH 102 + STAT 101
Any 2 other 100 level papers
Year 2 - 142 points
ECON 230 (LLB - allowed under regulation 6 of the LLB)
LAWS 202, 203, 204, 205 = 120 points (LLB)
Year 3 - 133 points
ECON 201 (LLB - allowed under regulation 6 of the LLB)
ECON 213
LAWS 206 (30 points) and LAWS 301 (32 points)
ECON 321
LAWS 3xx electives of 22 points
Year 4 - 130 points
LAWS 3xx electives of 88 points
Two of ECON 322-326
At least one other ECON 300-level course.
A similar programme can be constructed for those wishing to progress to honours in Finance. Students will need to take FINC 331 plus 42 points of ECON or FINC, ECON 213, ECON 230 and FINC 201 to 203.
Students wishing to take these options should talk to the School of Law Academic Manager and the Department of Economics Undergraduate Studies Coordinator. Permission may be required for some of the cross-credits though this will usually be granted where the student is clearly able to undertake this course of
The Graduate Diploma in Economics
The Graduate Diploma in Economics (GradDipEcon) is offered as a transitional route in economics for graduates from other discplines. For more information on this degree, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator.
Master of Commerce or Master of Arts in Economics
The Masters programme is in two parts:
Part I
Eight courses or equivalent from ECON 601-679. This is equivalent to the course work of the honours programme.
Part II
Thesis
Admission to the Masters programme is similar to the admission criteria for Honours though with a slightly lower 300-level GAP required. Students who complete an honours year can enter directly into Part II of the Masters programme. Students interested in enrolling in the MA or MCom should talk to the Postgraduate Studies Coordinator.
Not all courses will be offered in any one year: a list of courses offered is available from the department. See postgraduate courses for more information on which courses may be offered.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Economics
The Postgraduate Diploma in Economics is equivalent to Part I of the MCom. Students who enrol in the MCom can elect to "cash in" their study at the end of Part I and exit with a Postgraduate Diploma. Students who initially enrol in the Postgraduate Diploma and successfully complete the requirements for (with a B or better average) can apply to enrol in Part II of the MCom.
Enquiries relating to the graduate studies programme may be directed to the Graduate Studies Coordinator: alfred.guender@canterbury.ac.nz
The Finance Honours Programme
Students interested in being admitted to honours should consult Professor Boyle by no later than December of the preceding year.
For 2011 the prerequisites for admission to the Honours degree in Finance are:
- ECON 213, and FINC 331 or ECON 331, and an additional 30 points of 300-level FINC courses. A B+ or better must be earned in each of these courses.
From 2012 onwards the prerequisites will become
Either:
A. B.Sc. or B.Com, with major in Finance, including
- ECON 202, ECON 213 or any 30 points from STAT 200-level courses, FINC 205, FINC 331; and
- At least a B+ average in 300-level FINC courses.
Or:
B. Bachelors Degree in a subject other than Finance but including
- ECON 213 or any 30 points from STAT 200-level courses, FINC 331 plus an additional 30 points of 300-level Finance.
- At least an A- average in 300-level FINC courses.
There are circumstances under which some of the prerequisites can be waived. See the HoD or Professor Glenn Boyle to discuss your particular circumstances.
The Graduate Diploma in Science
The Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSci) is offered as a transitional route in Finance for Graduates from other disciplines. For more information on this degree, please contact Dr Debra Reed (debra.reed@canterbury.ac.nz)
Master of Commerce in Finance
The Masters programme is in two parts:
Part I:
Eight courses or equivalent from FINC 600-level courses. This is equivalent to the honours year. Papers from other subjects may be substituted for FINC papers where appropriate.
Part II:
Thesis
Admission to the Masters programme is subject to the same criteria as Honours; missing pre-requisites may need to be made up prior to or after admission. Students who obtain first-class honours can enter directly into Part II of the Masters programme. Students interested in enrolling in the MCom should contact Professor Boyle (glenn.boyle@canterbury.ac.nz)