ECB3121 Economics of international trade and finance
Faculty of Business and Economics
ECB3121 Economics of international trade and finance is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Business and Economics, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Peninsula. It needs (ECF2731, ECC2000, ECW2731 or ECB2731) and (ECX1200, ECW1102, ECF1200, ECB1102 or ECC1100).
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Peninsula
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before ECB3121
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After ECB3121
No unit lists ECB3121 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
To be successful in this unit, background knowledge and application of maths is required at the equivalent of VCE Year 12 level. You may have satisfied this by completing relevant prerequisite unit/s, or you have covered relevant topics in your final years of secondary study. You should self-assess your maths competency prior to enrolling in this unit.
Overview
This unit explores how countries interact through trade, investment, and financial markets. You will engage with advanced trade theories — including the Ricardian model and the Heckscher-Ohlin model — to understand global production and distribution patterns. The unit also examines practical issues such as migration, foreign direct investment, tariffs, offshoring, and exchange rate systems. By analysing national and international accounts and global capital flows, you will gain insights into the economic forces shaping business and policy in an interconnected world.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Peninsula | On campus |
Assessment
- Quiz / Test20%
- Exercise40%
- Examination40%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
apply advanced international trade models to analyse patterns of trade and the distributional effects of global economic integration
- 2
evaluate the economic and social implications of cross-border activities, such as migration, foreign direct investment, and offshoring, using both theoretical and empirical approaches
- 3
interpret and analyse international financial data, including foreign exchange markets and national/international accounts, to inform business and policy decisions
- 4
critically assess the impact of trade and financial policies — such as tariffs and exchange rate regimes — on efficiency, equity, and sustainability in a global context.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
This unit engages you in actively applying your knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
Where it fits
ECB3121 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Jackie So
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for ECB3121?
You need (ECF2731, ECC2000, ECW2731 or ECB2731) and (ECX1200, ECW1102, ECF1200, ECB1102 or ECC1100) before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
When is ECB3121 offered?
In 2026, ECB3121 runs in Semester 1 at Peninsula.
How much work is ECB3121?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does ECB3121 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include ECB3121?
ECB3121 is part of Economics and business decisions; and Finance and economics.