Master of Economic and Regional Development

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)

Full-Time Course Plan
The following are standard patterns of enrolment or pathways for candidates studying on a full-time or part-time
basis. They take into account unit pre-requisite, co-requisite and timetabling requirements. Candidates can each
year choose to study less units than the full-time pattern or more units than the part-time pattern, but if doing so
should use these standard patterns as guides as to how best to structure their studies.
For candidates studying Full Time = 48 cps per year. 12-15 Hours of study per week should be allocated
for each 6 cp unit enrolment.

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)

Program of Study - Overview Course cps

Core Units. Complete the following units: 72 cps

Unit Code Unit Title Unit cps

BUS505 Methods in Organisational Research 6

ECON101 Introductory Microeconomics 6

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ECON102 Introductory Macroeconomics 6

ECON201 Intermediate Microeconomics 6

OR OR
ECON202 Intermediate Macroeconomics

ECON371 Introductory Econometrics 6

OR OR
ECON526 Benefit-Cost Analysis

ECON417 International Trade and Finance 6

OR OR
ECON590 Economics of Development

ECON429 Environmental and Natural Resource Economics 6

QM161 Business Statistics 6

And complete one of the following pathways:

BUS581A Capstone Project 12

Plus 12 credit points at 500-level chosen from either the General Program or 12
relevant Major

OR

BUS581B* Research Project 18

Plus 6 credit points at 500-level chosen from either the General Program or 6
relevant Major

* In order to enrol in BUS581B, a candidate must achieve an overall Grade Point

Average of 5 (Credit) in all coursework units.

OR

BUS581C* Dissertation 24

* In order to enrol in BUS581C, a candidates must achieve an overall Grade Point

Average of 5 (Credit) in all coursework units.

Approved Majors or General Program 24 cps

Candidates may complete ONE Major to the value of 24 credit points OR the
General Program to the value of 24 credit points:

Major cps

General Program 24

Asian Studies 24

Humanities and Community Development 24

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 Rural Development 24

Urban and Regional Development 24

Total 96 cps

Why study the Master of Economic and Regional Development at UNE?

This course combines economic analysis with studies in specific community/regional development and will
prepare you to work in either urban or rural contexts. It will cater for domestic and international students either
already employed in such development or wishing to seek a career in this field.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Master of Economic and Regional Development will have holistic skills that will provide career
opportunities and advancements in non-government and government organisations that are involved in
community and regional development projects, including international organisations and aid agencies involved
in project planning , management, impact and policy evaluation. Opportunities include positions as economists
and policy analysts, researchers, community organisers, project officers and consultants.
Official Abbreviation MEcRegDev Course Type Postgraduate CRICOS Code 074877A Commencing
Responsible Campus Admission Period Mode of Study

Armidale Trimester 1 Online

Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus

Armidale Trimester 2 Online

Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus

Course Duration
● 1.5 or 2 Years Full-time
● Up to 6 years Part-time
Fees CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International Total Credit Points 96 How to Apply
All domestic students apply through the link below
For more information, click here: International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International
For more information, click here Intensive Schools
Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for
specific requirements.
Entry Requirements
A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a non-relevant discipline; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline*.
*Relevant disciplines, include but are not limited to the following:
Agricultural and Resource Economics; Agribusiness; Development Economics; Economics;
Econometrics.
Practical, Clinical or Work Experience
Students may complete work integrated learning and professional skills development (WORK500) with approved
institutions and/or an overseas study tour (OSSE500) during their course.
Advanced Standing
Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

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Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing
based on their Admission to Candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that
were not part of the degree on which admission was based.
No advanced standing will be granted for BUS581A, BUS581B, BUS581C, OSSE500 or WORK500.
Academic Colours; Peacock Blue (BCC 120); Further Information
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE
These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the
Master of Economic and Regional Development in 2018.

Admission to Candidature
A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a non-relevant discipline; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline*.

*Relevant disciplines, include but are not limited to the following:

Agricultural and Resource Economics; Agribusiness
Development Economics,Economics; Econometrics

Advanced Standing
Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of Block Advanced Standing
based on their Admission to Candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points may be granted based on units that
were not part of the degree on which admission was based.
No advanced standing will be granted for BUS581A, BUS581B, BUS581C, OSSE500 or WORK500.

Period of Candidature
For candidates admitted under Rule (a), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) two years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.
For candidates admitted under Rule (b), the period of candidature shall be:
(a) 1.5 years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points including at least 36 credit
points at 500-level.

Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outline in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)

Course Structure Credit Points

Core Units 72 cps

Complete ONE Major 24 cps

OR
General Program

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 Total 96 cps
To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)

Course Structure Credit Points

Block Advanced Standing 24 cps

Core Units 48 cps

Complete ONE Major 24 cps

OR
General Program

Total 96 cps
To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors and General Program

General Program
Asian Studies
Humanities and Community Development
Rural Development
Urban and Regional Development

Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Economic and Regional Development.

Dissertation
1. In order to enrol in either BUS581B or BUS581C, a candidate must achieve an overall Grade Point Average
of 5 (Credit) in all coursework units. A candidate who enrols in either BUS581B or BUS581C must submit a
dissertation embodying an original investigation on a topic within an approved field of study.
2. Depending on the topic under investigation, the approval of the relevant Ethics Committee must be sought if required.
3. The School, on the advice of the Course Coordinator, shall appoint a supervisor, who shall be a member of
the teaching or research staff of the University or an associate of the University. The supervisor shall advise and
supervise the candidate during the period of candidature.
4. Except with the permission of the School, on the recommendation of the supervisor, the BUS581B dissertation
shall not exceed 15,000 words of text, excluding appendices.
5. Except with the permission of the School, on the recommendation of the supervisor, the BUS581C dissertation
shall not exceed 20,000 words of text, excluding appendices.

Submission of Dissertation
Dissertations are due in the last week of the teaching period. Candidates must submit an electronic copy of the
dissertation for examination. An electronic version of the dissertation, incorporating any changes suggested
following examination, must also be submitted prior to a grade being awarded for the dissertation. The copies
must be submitted to: The Coordinator - Minor Dissertations, UNE Business School. The supervisor's name
should normally be included in the acknowledgements section of the dissertation.

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Examination of Dissertation
The dissertation is examined by two examiners. The examiners are to be recommended by the supervisor. The
supervisor must submit the names and contact details of the recommended examiners to the Coordinator - Minor
Dissertations at least two weeks prior to submission of the dissertation for examination. A short statement should
accompany the recommendation when an examiner is external indicating the qualifications of the recommended
examiner and the reason why the recommended examiner is deemed appropriate to examine the dissertation.
The supervisor may consult with the candidate prior to the submission of the dissertation regarding a potential
examiners, but the names of the examiners finally recommended by the supervisor to the Coordinator - Minor
Dissertations should not be made available to the candidate.
The supervisor must provide a statement to the Coordinator - Minor Dissertations indicating that the dissertation
is suitable for examination.
Examiners are normally expected to complete and return their report within FOUR (4) weeks of the dissertation
being delivered. The Coordinator - Minor Dissertations will advise the supervisors of the outcome of the
examination, along with a summary of examiners' reports as appropriate, indicating any amendments to be
considered. Students need to consult with the supervisor and undertake any minor amendments to the
satisfaction of the supervisor.
The supervisor is to send a note to the Coordinator - Minor Dissertations, that any amendments suggested by
the examiners have been addressed to his or her satisfaction and that the result may be finalised. The
Coordinator - Minor Dissertations will finalise the result and make a summary recommendation to the School
Teaching and Learning Committee regarding:
(a) the grade to be awarded for the dissertation (Fail, Pass, Credit, Distinction or High Distinction);
(b) the percentage to be awarded for the dissertation;
(c) if amendments to the dissertation were made before the grade was finalised;
(d) whether the candidate should be allowed to revise and resubmit the dissertation for re-examination (a
maximum grade of Pass and score of 50% shall be given for any resubmitted dissertation).
The School Teaching and Learning Committee shall make the final determination as to the outcome of the
examination, based on the recommendation from the Coordinator - Minor Dissertations.

Exit Pathways
Subject to meeting the advanced standing rules, candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course
may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Applied Economics on completion of 24 credit points,
including at least 18 credit points at 400/500 level, corresponding to units in the program of study for the
Graduate Certificate in Applied Economics.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Applied Economics
and then decide to continue their studies in the Master of Economic and Regional Development must apply for
re-admission. They will then be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Economic and Regional
Development. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the
course structure have changed in response to University requirements.
Subject to meeting advanced standing rules, candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course
may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Economics on completion of units to the value of 48 credit
points including at least 30 credit points at 400/500 level, corresponding to units in the program of study for the
Graduate Diploma in Economics.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Diploma in Economics and then
decide to continue their studies in the Master of Economic and Regional Development must apply for re-
admission. They will then be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Economic and Regional
Development. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the
course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Appeals
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Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression
Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework
Academic Misconduct Procedures.
Course Aims
The Master of Economic and Regional Development at UNE is designed to provide students with an advanced
body of knowledge and skills in economics that can be applied in an interdisciplinary approach in dealing with
regional and community development issues.
Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. understand and critically apply advanced economic and other relevant disciplinary concepts to regional and
community development in developed and/or developing countries with a particular focus on the Asia Pacific region;
2. demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to economic and regional development;
3. apply an interdisciplinary approach in the design, management and evaluation of community-based
development projects in regional and international contexts;
4. produce scholarly reports or a thesis which demonstrate an understanding and application of skills in different
themes of regional and community development; and
5. apply knowledge and skills to real issues facing communities and rural regions, and inform policy making
bodies about regional and community development in developed and/or developing countries.
Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline
An advanced body of knowledge of different disciplines is central to this course. The course will provide students
with an opportunity to learn core concepts in economics, rural, urban and regional development, peace, Asian
and Indigenous studies. These concepts will be taught through lectures, readings and online components and
will be assessed through various types of assessments such as assignments, examinations and report writing.

Communication Skills
In this course, students will develop, enhance and promote effective communication skills. These will be taught,
practised and assessed in various units within the course. Students are expected to articulate knowledge in different
schools of thought through activities such as assignment and report writing and oral discourse. Students will also
participate in online discussions with different stakeholders. The Master of Economic and Regional Development
course offers students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills in a real-world context. One of the key focus
areas is the interdisciplinary approach to community development in regional and international contexts.
Understanding of contemporary issues in regional and global scenes will be demonstrated in unit assessments.

Problem Solving
Students apply their skills on information literacy, knowledge of the discipline and understanding of development
issues in order to promote, discuss and advocate key concepts within the course. Students will be assessed in
essays and assignments.

Information Literacy
Students will be taught and assessed on skills to examine, analyse and interpret data and information in
development contexts. Students will acquire information through different forms of media and use this in the
framework stipulated in different areas of study within the course.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

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The Master of Economic and Regional Development course requires an understanding of various development-
related problems. Students are taught the importance of acknowledging and understanding the cultural, ethical,
economic, legal and social dimensions of these issues. They practise this attribute in essays and assignments.

Lifelong Learning
The Master of Economic and Regional Development course offers students the opportunity to develop and
enhance both theoretical and practical skills in the context of community and regional development. Students
are taught and assessed on this knowledge in different areas of advocacy through essays and assignments.

Independence and Collaboration

Students work independently throughout the course. Teamwork is taught and observed in different units within
the course which further develop and enhance the ability of students to take responsibility of personal outputs
and participate in discipline-based activities and forums. Students are expected to engage in group discussions,
both in-class and in the online environment.