The Bachelor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UNE is the longest running agricultural and resource economics degree in Australia.

Through the study of agricultural and resource economics, students will gain an understanding of the key challenges and trade-offs confronting business, government and the community at large. They will develop the knowledge, skills and attributes required for high level problem solving and economic decision making across a diverse range of agricultural and natural resource issues such as food safety and security, natural resource depletion, climate change, sustainability and increasing globalization and integration of agricultural and food networks.

Core units include microeconomics and macroeconomics, farm and resource management, rural finance and risk management, environmental and natural resource economics, international trade and business, and economic analysis of chains and networks. This degree is taught with a global perspective to ensure students understand the current challenging issues across the economic, environmental, social and political environments. They will also develop an understanding of social responsibility in relation to agricultural and business practices, and an appreciation of the importance of the environment and sustainability.

The degree gives students the flexibility to choose between a coursework only option and an embedded Honours program in which they undertake a supervised program of reading and research involving the preparation of a dissertation that reports on a particular investigation of an area of economic enquiry. Opportunities also exist to undertake practical work experience and to participate in overseas study tours and study exchange programs that value add to the degree.

Career opportunities include employment in the private and public sectors, domestically and internationally in professional, managerial or executive positions in such areas as banking, finance and insurance, international agencies, government departments, agribusiness, commodity trading, policy analysis, agriculture or education.