The Department of Economics, established in 1970/71, is one of the five academic departments of the School of Business. As part of the School of Business, the Department offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Undergraduate study leads to either BBA (Hons) with concentration in Applied Economics or the Economics Concentration of the BSocSc (Hons) in China Studies. At the postgraduate level, students work towards their degree in MSc, MPhil or PhD. The Department also offers courses for the MBA, MSc BM programme of the School and the Master of Social Sciences (Contemporary China Studies) and the Master of Public Administration of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Since the Department is part of the School of Business and part of the China Studies programme, its courses cover a wide range of subjects and areas, including economic theories, business applications, economic policy analysis, and issues related to the Chinese, Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific economies.
Based on their teaching and research interest, faculty members of the Department conduct in-depth research in various economic fields. There are a number of faculty members working on research related to the Chinese and Hong Kong economies.

The Department also places emphasis on serving the community. Faculty members are encouraged to offer professional views and advice to the media and the business and government sectors on issues and policies related to the Hong Kong and Chinese economies.

The Department emphasizes the relations with the students, and encourages students organizing student activities and participating in functions at the School or/and University level as well as inter-university activities. The Department has close contacts with the Economics Alumni Association.