Postgraduate

ECON610
Directed Readings in Economics 1
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
ECON613
Directed Readings in Economics II
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
ECON614
Time Series and Stochastic Processes
Description
Analysis of sequentially collected data including data modelling and forecasting techniques.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
Restrictions
STAT456
ECON615
Econometrics II-600
Description
This course teaches advanced skills in practical econometrics. Our coverage will include the following topics: OLS, FGLS, robust standard errors, panel data, Stata programming, writing .do files, Monte Carlo experiments, bootstrapping, model selection, and exercises in data cleaning. While the course will present some theory, the emphasis in this class is on doing. A distinctive characteristic of the class is that we will illustrate key concepts using computer simulations so that students can "see" the practical consequences of the issues they are studying. Students will develop their own Monte Carlo experiments to investigate econometric questions.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
ECON324
ECON616
Microeconomic Analysis
Description
Application of fundamental mathematical techniques for modelling standard economic problems.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of Head of Department
Restrictions
ECON321
ECON617
Macro and Monetary Economics
Description
Monetary economics, financial crises, economic growth.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of Head of Department
Restrictions
ECON326
ECON618
Financial Economics
Description
The economics of finance with applications to asset valuation, corporate finance, and portfolio management. ECON 618 students will be expected to apply advanced theories to these concepts.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of Head of Department
Restrictions
ECON331
ECON631
Advanced Econometrics
Description
In econometrics, one often gives a causal interpretation to estimated coefficients. Unfortunately, in most cases such causal interpretation is not warranted. In this course, we will focus on the difference between causality and correlation and study analytical approaches that aim for causal estimates. Techniques covered include randomized controlled trials / experiments, matching estimators, regression discontinuity design, difference-in-difference estimators, instrumental variable estimators, event studies, and synthetic control estimators. The course will cover both theory and applications using R.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
ECON601
ECON641
Monetary Economics: Theory
Description
This course surveys a number of important topics in monetary and financial theory. A few topics such as the implementation of monetary policy in New Zealand and the theory of the banking firm draw heavily on microeconomics. The lectures cover topics ranging from asymmetric information in credit markets to the term structure of interest rates. The topical nature of the course is brought out by a discussion of macroprudential and microprudential regulation, the behavior of banks in a low-interest rate environment, and the changing nature of financing decisions by firms since the Global Financial crisis.
Occurrences
Term Four 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
Restrictions
FINC641
ECON642
Monetary Economics: Policy
Description
The focus of this course is on the conduct of optimal monetary policy in open and closed economies. Various issues in monetary policy under uncertainty are explored. A great deal of attention is devoted to issues pertaining to rules vs. discretion in policy-making. We address topics as diverse as interest rate pegs, nominal income targeting vs. price level/ inflation targeting, collection of seigniorage, central bank independence, and others.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
ECON643
Advanced International Finance
Description
This course introduces students to selected relevant topics in international finance. It will familiarise students with the analytical techniques needed to understand different theoretical issues and evaluate the empirical performance of the models. The main topics covered in this course are exchange rate movements, current account determination, foreign exchange intervention and volatility, sovereign debt and crisis, financial development, financial liberalisation and international capital flows, currency crisis, banking system stability and systemic risk, and the role of international institutions like the IMF.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department. RP: ECON344 or FINC344
Restrictions
FINC643
ECON657
International Trade
Description
This course explains why countries trade goods and services, patterns of trade, and the consequences of trade and of trade interventions. It extends the basic theory of international trade to more complex, interesting and empirically relevant cases. It will provide students with an advanced understanding of the core of modern trade theory, from both positive and normative perspectives.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
ECON658
Health Economics
Description
The application of microeconomic and empirical tools to the study of health and medical care. Topics covered include: the differences between health care markets and other markets; the asymmetric relationships between patients, insurance companies, and physicians; the production of health; the effects of various policies and treatment regimens; health-related behaviour, including addiction; and the supply side of the health care market.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Points
15 points
ECON668
Experimental Economics
Description
This course will provide students with an in-depth treatment of this increasingly popular method for testing and stimulating economic theory. The course aims to equip students in three main areas: to become familiar with experimental methods; learn some major areas of applications; and critically evaluate the potential and limitations of laboratory experimental research.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
ECON679
Internship or Consultancy Project
Description
An internship or consultancy project is an opportunity to experience a professional work environment. You are expected to develop a good understanding of a sector, market or organisation. The work you submit will show an application of the tools, ideas or concepts of economics. You will be required to reflect critically on the requirements of transitioning from an academic to a work environment and the skills valued in a professional workplace. You will also need to provide a critical analysis of the work undertaken.
Occurrences
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to Head of Department approval
Restrictions
FINC679
ECON680
Research Exercise
Description
This course forms the research component of the BCom(Hons), BSc(Hons) and BA(Hons) degrees in Economics.
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Whole Year 2026
Points
30 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
ECON690
MA Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Points
120 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
ECON691
Economics Masters Dissertation
Description
This forms the research component of the MA in Economics.
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Points
60 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
Restrictions
ECON680
ECON692
MA Dissertation
Description
MA Dissertation
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Semester One 2026
Semester Two 2026
Points
60 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
ECON694
MCom Thesis
Description
MCom Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Points
90 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
ECON695
MCom Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Points
120 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.
ECON699
Economics Masters Thesis
Occurrences
Approved Start 2026
Points
120 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Head of Department.

Not Offered Courses in 2026

Postgraduate

ECON622
Advanced Financial Economics
Description
This course examines modern research in financial economics. Topics covered include risk, portfolio theory, asset allocation and multi-period asset pricing.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2015 , 2016 , 2017
For further information see ECON622 course details
Points
15 points
ECON635
Macroeconomics
Description
Macroeconomics presents students with the major theories of modern macroeconomics based on micro-founded models. This course covers both advanced macroeconomic theory and empirical analysis of macroeconomic fluctuations and economic growth. Students will read and analyse articles in the academic literature. The course further equips students with the mathematical concepts and tools necessary to understand modern macroeconomic literature, such as algebraic manipulations, solving systems of equations, differential calculus and differential equations, and constrained optimisation.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2025
For further information see ECON635 course details
Points
15 points
ECON644
Microeconomics I
Description
A course in advanced microeconomic theory, covering the topics of consumer theory and decision making, production decisions, market and price theory analysis, and simple general equilibrium models. The emphasis is on using mathematical techniques to analyse microeconomic problems.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2019 , 2020 , 2021 , 2022 , 2023
For further information see ECON644 course details
Points
15 points
ECON645
Contract Theory
Description
The design of contracts from an economic perspective and how their design is affected by various factors. Such factors include hidden actions within a transaction; the characteristics of participants and the ability to signal and hide such characteristics; the impact of time and repeated contracts; and when some aspects of a transaction cannot be described, monitored, verified, or enforced.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026
For further information see ECON645 course details
Points
15 points
ECON653
Topics in Economic Policy
Description
The application of economic tools and methodology to the study of economic policy issues. Coverage can include but is not limited to: why we have government, the objectives of economic policy, how society makes economic policy choices, the roles of political institutions in economic policy decision making, regulation, the size and scope of government, and how to evaluate the economic impact of economic policies. Examples of contemporary economic policy issues will be used to illustrate economic concepts where relevant.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026
For further information see ECON653 course details
Points
15 points
ECON654
Industrial Organisation
Description
The application of microeconomic theory to the study of imperfectly competitive markets and the behaviour of firms within these markets. Topics covered include: market power and its limits; monopoly decisions: bundling, advertising, price discrimination and vertical restraints; strategic interaction: price and quantity competition, product differentiation, entry, accommodation and entry deterrence.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2009 , 2010 , 2011 , 2012
For further information see ECON654 course details
Points
15 points
ECON655
Environmental Economics
Description
This course will apply microeconomic theory and welfare economics to the management and stewardship of the environment. We will begin by reviewing the ethical framework of welfare economics and its relation to concepts of sustainability. We will use welfare economics to frame the problems posed by public and common property goods, and by externalities more generally. We will see how welfare economics is applied to the problems posed by such goods using cost-benefit analysis. This framework will enable us to address diverse environmental problems. For example, how can we place a comparable value on environmental benefits? How much pollution of the air and water should we tolerate, and how can we reduce pollution to such levels in the least costly way? Can there be effective pollution control when individual contributions cannot be observed? What is economics contributing to the study of global warming, or the effects of trade liberalisation on the environment?
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2012 , 2013 , 2019 , 2023 , 2025
For further information see ECON655 course details
Points
15 points
ECON659
Development Economics
Occurrences
Not offered 2026
For further information see ECON659 course details
Points
15 points
ECON665
Welfare Economics
Description
Welfare economics deals with the interaction between "positive economics" (i.e. statements of what will happen under different policies) and "normative economics" (statements about what policies should be followed). Welfare economics considers how value judgements involving interpersonal comparisons can be incorporated into the basic framework of positive economics in order to reach normative conclusions.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2009 , 2011 , 2012 , 2013 , 2014
For further information see ECON665 course details
Points
15 points
ECON667
Behavioural Economics
Description
Behavioural economics studies how psychological insights and experimental methods may be brought to bear on the understanding of economic phenomena, especially in situations with strategic interaction. Material covered includes influential theoretical developments and experimental results in the field of behavioural economics.
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2012 , 2013 , 2014 , 2015 , 2023
For further information see ECON667 course details
Points
15 points
ECON670
Special Topic
Occurrences
Not offered 2026, offered in 2018 , 2019 , 2021 , 2024 , 2025
For further information see ECON670 course details
Points
15 points