Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of International Economics Program

The Bachelor of International Economics (BIE) is the Vancouver School of Economics' flagship program, designed to transform undergraduate students into the next generation of global economic leaders. This distinct four-year, cohort-based degree program admits students directly from high school, providing a deep understanding of the global economy and vital technical training and practical skills for careers in business, government, and academia.

BIE Advantages

• Focus on international trade, finance, and development, environmental economics, data sciences, and economics in general
• A curriculum that combines economic theories and business skills
• Direct-entry from high school into year one of a four-year economics degree program
• Cohort-based program with small class sizes (approximately 100 students per year accepted)
• A global and diverse community, with half of the BIE cohort being international students from over 35 countries
• Opportunities for internships, exchange programs, research mentorships, academic track, and co-op placements
• Dedicated Academic Advising Services
• Personal and professional development services, including a BIE-internal advising office and a dedicated Career Centre
• Networking events with top employers and distinguished alumni
• Dedicated classrooms, computer lab, and student lounge space

BIE Outcomes

Graduating students have exceptional outcomes in the labour market or in academia, working as global players in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, and entering prestigious graduate programs worldwide.

Program Requirements

Year One Requirements

• BIE Cohort-Specific Required Courses:
  • ECON 101 - Principles of Microeconomics
  • ECON 102 - Principles of Macroeconomics
  • ECON 227 - Data in Economics
  • COEC 293 - Financial Accounting
  • WRDS 150 or 151 - Arts Studies in Writing
  • MATH 100 or equivalent - Differential Calculus
  • MATH 101 or equivalent - Integral Calculus
• Recommended Elective Credits: 9 elective credits

Year Two Requirements

• BIE Cohort-Specific Required Courses:
  • ECON 315 - Intermediate Microeconomics I
  • ECON 316 - Intermediate Microeconomics II
  • ECON 309 - Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • ECON 327 - Introduction to Empirical Economics
  • ECON 328 - Methods of Empirical Research in Economics
  • ECON 241 - Introduction to Global Development or ECON 255 - Understanding Globalization
  • ECON 317 - Poverty and Inequality
• Recommended Elective Credits: 9 elective credits

Year Three and Four Requirements

• Cohort-Specific Required Courses:
  • COEC 371 - Investment Theory
  • ECON 370 - Benefit-Cost Analysis and Economics of Project Evaluation
  • ECON 493 - Quantitative Methods for Economics
  • ECON 494 - Seminar in Applied International Economics
• Other Required Courses and Electives:
  • Three courses from Business Fundamentals
  • Three courses from Advanced Economics
  • One additional Advanced ECON or COEC course at the 400-level or approved equivalent

Program Requirement Notes

1. AP, A-Level, or IB Economics cannot be substituted for ECON 101 and 102 in the BIE program.
2. BIE students are allowed a maximum of 27 credits of COEC courses towards completing their BIE degree but cannot take any other credits in the Sauder School of Business.
3. Only students in the BIE+MM program are allowed to use the COMM courses required by the MM curriculum as BIE electives.

Continuation Requirements

• Year One: Overall average of at least 60%, core average of at least 65% (STT courses), and a passing grade in all of ECON 101, ECON 102, MATH 100, MATH 101.
• Year Two: Overall average of at least 60%, core average of at least 65% (STT courses).
• Year Three and Four: Overall average of at least 60%.

Course Equivalency and Credit Exclusion

Students may not earn credit for two courses with significant and pre-defined content overlap. Examples of BIE course exclusions are provided to guide student registration.

Individual Learning Plans

The individual learning plan is a guide to the educational experience, enabling students to develop a theme or focus area for their studies. Students may take elective courses from the Faculty of Arts or other faculties at UBC (except for commerce courses).

BIE Research Internship

Top-performing BIE students have the opportunity to work with UBC research faculty members and gain hands-on experience in conducting academic research.

Academic Track

The Academic Track is designed for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in economics, allowing them to tailor their undergraduate curriculum to be more competitive in the graduate school application process.

BIE Academic Track Requirements

1. First Requirement: Substitute three courses among Business Fundamentals with ECON 306 - Honours Microeconomics, ECON 307 - Honours Macroeconomics, and ECON 425 - Advanced Econometrics.
2. Second Requirement: Complete two courses among MATH 200, MATH 220, and MATH 221.
3. Third Requirement: Complete three courses from the Advanced Economics requirement.

Enrollment and Admissions to Academic Track

• Students who have completed the second year of the BIE program are eligible to apply.
• Admission is by application only, subject to minimum academic performance standards and capacity constraints. Enrollment is limited to a maximum of five students per cohort.