Advanced Research Essay

6 unitsSem 1Sem 2In Person

Research School of Economics · ANU College of Business and Economics

About this course

The Advanced Research Essay (ECON8887) forms a two-semester long course (12 units) with the aim to provide Master of Economics students who have excelled academically in the first year of their masters program, an option to conduct an extended supervised research project. Students will conduct independent study on a particular topic chosen in agreement with their supervisor, write a literature review on this topic, prepare a proposal for an extended research essay, and carry out the extended research essay.

Learning outcomes

1Identify and develop a suitable and feasible research essay topic
2Analyse relevant literature to the topic
3Apply appropriate economic methods of analysis.
4Conduct independent analysis and research project on the selected economic problem
5Use software, databanks and other tools relevant for research.
6Ability to present research outcomes to an audience of economists.
7Develop advanced research skills applicable to tackle a wide range of economic problems.

Assessment

Weights and hurdle requirements come straight from the imported ANU record.

Literature review

Learning outcomes 1, 2

10%

Research Proposal

Learning outcomes 3, 6

10%

Presentation of research proposal

Learning outcomes 6

10%

Final Research Essay

Learning outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

70%

Study expectations

Study information

10 hours per week.

Texts and reading

Not applicable. Preliminary Reading Not applicable.

Course essentials

Academic year: 2026
Course subject: ECON
Subject name: Economics
Academic career: PGRD
School: Research School of Economics
College: ANU College of Business and Economics
Convener: Dr Evan Calford
Delivery: In Person
Unit value: 6 units
EFTSL: 0.125
Last source update: Not listed

View the ANU course source

Fees

International fee paying students: International · 2026 · Course basis; $7,020
Student Contribution Band Code 34: Commonwealth supported · 2026; ANU contribution-band code 34
Estimated domestic fee: ≈ $4,920; Estimated from the median of 40 similar courses in the ANU College of Business and Economics. ANU's page didn't list a fee we could read, so this isn't the official fee.