Course overview
- Description
The course covers the core elements of advanced agricultural economics, agribusiness, and development, with the overall course emphasis on the application of theory to real world circumstances. The core themes of the course are applied economic analysis, policy analysis, agribusiness management and analysis, and development economics. Specialisations are available in each of the core areas of Agribusiness, Production & Natural Resource Economics, and Development. Globally, and especially within the region, there is strong demand for agricultural economists, agribusiness specialists, and development experts with a sound understanding of the role of agriculture in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Employers are seeking technically competent graduates, and this can be achieved either through coursework study or a combination of coursework and dissertation study.
The academic staff teaching the course have extensive real world experience in agribusiness, agricultural economics, and development, and UWA is a key partner organisation for the commonwealth government. Depending on specialisation, graduates are well suited to employment in government, industry, and NGO organisations.
- Course title
- Master of Agricultural Economics (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MAgEc
- Course code
- 73530
- Course type
- Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- Agriculture and Environment
- CRICOS code
- 089266E
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Articulation
- The Master of Agricultural Economics has the following exit awards: 73330 Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics (48 points of course core and elective units at Level 4 and above points) (48 points of course core and elective units at Level 4 and above points), 73230 Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Economics (24 points of course core units at Level 4 and above points) (24 points of course core units at Level 4 and above points)
- Credit points required
- 96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
- Maximum course duration
- 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Time limit
- 5 years
- Delivery mode
- Multi-mode
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Associate Professor Atakelty Hailu
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Enquiries and course advice
- 6488 4735
- [email protected]
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
SP-AGBUS Agribusiness
SP-DEVEL Development
SP-ECONO Production and Resource Economics
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- N/A
- not available in 2025 – may be available in 2026 or 2027
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the course must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | AGRI4409 | Fundamentals of Agricultural Science |
| practical classes: 1 hour per week; lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lectures per week |
| S1 | ECON4002 | Core Concepts in Agricultural and Applied Economics |
| 24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4401 | Data Use in Science |
| 24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4403 | Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science | Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester. |
Take all units (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ECON5003 | Microeconomic Theory for Agricultural and Environmental Economics |
| Weekly - two hour workshop |
| S1 | ECON5004 | Microeconometric Models for Agricultural and Environmental Economics |
| Lectures are delivered on-line. Students also attend 2 hours of practical component each week. |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4402 | Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences |
| 5 days (1 day per fortnight). The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
Students in the course by Coursework and Dissertation, take 24 points (4 units) from this group:
Coursework and Dissertation
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | SCIE5571 | Dissertation Part 1 |
| as required by supervisor |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5572 | Dissertation Part 2 |
| as required by supervisor |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5573 | Dissertation Part 3 |
| as required by supervisor |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5574 | Dissertation Part 4 |
| as required by supervisor |
Students in the course by Coursework only take 12 points (2 units) from this group:
Coursework Only
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | SCIE5004 | Professional Skills in Science |
| |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5005 | Science in Practice |
| 1x 2hr session per week contact by consultation as required |
Agribusiness specialisation
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | AGRI5402 | Agribusiness |
| total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 10 half days |
| S2 | AGRI5403 | Advanced Commodity Marketing |
| lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lecture modules per week for 12 weeks; practical classes: 1 hour per week for 12 weeks. |
| S1 | ECON5002 | Agriculture and Economic Development |
| lectures: 4 hours per fortnight; tutorials: 2 hours per fortnight for 10 weeks |
| S1, S2 | MGMT5511 | Introduction to Global Business |
| lectures/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week |
For students enrolled by coursework, take 3 units (18 points), for students enrolled by coursework and dissertation, take 1 unit (6 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ECON5001 | Economic Development in Theory and Practice |
| lectures/tutorials/labs: 4 hours per week (for 10 weeks) |
| S2 | ECON5005 | Production Economics and Efficiency Analysis |
| The total workload contact hours for the unit is 36 hours |
| S1, S2 | ECON5006 | Topics in Agricultural Economics |
| 1 hours per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours. |
| N/A | ENVT5600 | Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology |
| 1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours. |
| S1 | SCIE4510 | Applied Cost Benefit Analysis | None | 150 hours Lectures: 2 x 45-minute online lectures per week for 12 weeks Workshops: 1 x 1-hour online workshops per week for 12 weeks Self-directed learning: 10 hours per week for 12 weeks |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| 100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
Development specialisation
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | AGRI5402 | Agribusiness |
| total workload: 150 hours; contact hours: 10 half days |
| S2 | ECON4408 | Advanced Development Economics |
| lectures/tutorials/seminars/workshops: up to 3 hours per week |
| S2 | ECON5001 | Economic Development in Theory and Practice |
| lectures/tutorials/labs: 4 hours per week (for 10 weeks) |
| S1 | ECON5002 | Agriculture and Economic Development |
| lectures: 4 hours per fortnight; tutorials: 2 hours per fortnight for 10 weeks |
For students enrolled by coursework, take 3 units (18 points), for students enrolled by coursework and dissertation, take 1 unit (6 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | AGRI5403 | Advanced Commodity Marketing |
| lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lecture modules per week for 12 weeks; practical classes: 1 hour per week for 12 weeks. |
| S2 | ECON5005 | Production Economics and Efficiency Analysis |
| The total workload contact hours for the unit is 36 hours |
| S1, S2 | ECON5006 | Topics in Agricultural Economics |
| 1 hours per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours. |
| N/A | ENVT5600 | Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology |
| 1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours. |
| S1 | SCIE4510 | Applied Cost Benefit Analysis | None | 150 hours Lectures: 2 x 45-minute online lectures per week for 12 weeks Workshops: 1 x 1-hour online workshops per week for 12 weeks Self-directed learning: 10 hours per week for 12 weeks |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| 100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
Production and Resource Economics specialisation
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ECON4410 | Environmental and Resource Economics |
| lectures: 2 hours; tutorials: 1 hour; labs: 1 hour (4 hours/week for 12 weeks) |
| S2 | ECON5005 | Production Economics and Efficiency Analysis |
| The total workload contact hours for the unit is 36 hours |
| S2 | ECON5511 | Climate, Energy and Water Economics | lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week for 10 weeks | |
| S1 | SCIE4510 | Applied Cost Benefit Analysis | None | 150 hours Lectures: 2 x 45-minute online lectures per week for 12 weeks Workshops: 1 x 1-hour online workshops per week for 12 weeks Self-directed learning: 10 hours per week for 12 weeks |
For students enrolled by coursework, take 3 units (18 points), for students enrolled by coursework and dissertation, take 1 unit (6 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | AGRI5403 | Advanced Commodity Marketing |
| lectures: 6 x 15 minute online lecture modules per week for 12 weeks; practical classes: 1 hour per week for 12 weeks. |
| S2 | ECON5001 | Economic Development in Theory and Practice |
| lectures/tutorials/labs: 4 hours per week (for 10 weeks) |
| S1, S2 | ECON5006 | Topics in Agricultural Economics |
| 1 hours per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours. |
| N/A | ENVT4402 | Analysis for Environmental Management |
| 10 half days. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
| N/A | ENVT5600 | Topics in Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology |
| 1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours. |
| S1, S2 | SCIE5304 | Science Practicum |
| 100 hours of work placement paired with learning content and assessment. Contact hours in Practicum placement (the majority of student time in the unit) as arranged with the unit coordinator and host/supervisor. Additional, minor, contact hours for initial and post-placement discussions with coordinator, and final presentation and review. |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) completed prior studies at a tertiary level with significant content in economics, statistics/econometrics or mathematics ; or in a related cognate discipline, as recognised by UWA.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:
- 73330 Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics (48 points of course core and elective units at Level 4 and above points)
- 73230 Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Economics (24 points of course core units at Level 4 and above points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Agricultural Economics course before completing it, but after completing 48 points, which includes minimum of 30 points course core units and maximum of 18 points chosen from elective units, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Economics.
(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Agricultural Economics course before completing it, but after completing 24 points excluding conversion units, with at least 12 points of core units, of which a minimum of 6 points must be degree core
, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Economics.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which includes conversion units to a value of 24 points, course core units and specialisation units. The course comprises the following specialisations :
- SP-AGBUS Agribusiness
- SP-DEVEL Development
- SP-ECONO Production and Resource Economics
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the course are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).
Additional rules
Research project
14. Students who request approval to undertake a research project must have—
(i) a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units, relevant to the master's specialisation, in their UWA undergraduate major; or
(ii) a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 4 and 5 units completed within the course (excluding conversion units), or equivalent as recognised by the School.
and
(iv) must have achieved a mark of at least 70% in SCIE4402 or ECON4002.