If a student wishes to work as a professional economist in industry, finance or the public service, employers may value a level of specialisation that is not provided by a three-year pass degree. Many of those who have graduated with Honours in Economics from the University of Sydney now have top jobs in government institutions like the Departments of Treasury and Finance, the Reserve Bank and the Australian Bureau of Statistics or in private banks or other financial institutions. Many others are academic economists, while some have won fame in the political arena.

The completion of a three year degree with a major in Economics, a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% across all senior units of study taken in the degree, and an average of 70% or higher in the third year honours program units, ECOS3901, ECOS3902.