Program Overview

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Master's Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Economics equips students with the analytical tools and empirical research skills for the modern academic and labour markets.

Program Structure

The core economics Master's program consists of the following coursework:

• August: Online mathematics review
• Fall Semester: Core courses – Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Quantitative Economics with Data Science Applications
• Winter Semester: Four elective field courses
• Summer Semester: Either the major research paper or thesis requirement
  • Thesis option is up to 12 additional months. Consult graduate program for further information.

Research Streams

In addition, students may elect to enhance their degree program by applying for one of the following research streams:

• Stone Inequality Stream
• Economics and Computation Stream

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

Undergraduate degree requirements and grading systems vary widely across institutions. Strong applicants have taken:

• Intermediate microeconomics (two semesters required; equivalent to UBC’s ECON 301 and 303)
• Statistics/econometrics (two semesters required; equivalent to UBC’s ECON 325 and 326)
• Calculus (two semesters required; equivalent to UBC’s MATH 104 and 105)
• Linear algebra and multivariable calculus (recommended) UBC's Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has established basic entrance requirements, but satisfying basic entrance requirements does not guarantee admission.

Documentation

A complete application requires:

• An academic transcript
• Two letters of reference
• A statement of intent

Transcript

You must obtain an official paper transcript from every post-secondary institution you have attended, regardless of whether you obtained a degree or not (including Canadian DEC programmes). Each transcript should then be scanned as an individual .pdf file and then uploaded to the application system as indicated. Once applicants are offered admission, original, official transcripts and degree certificates will be required.

• A certified English translation must accompany transcripts issued in languages other than English.

Letters of Reference

You are required to submit two confidential academic letters of reference. Letters should be from referees who can provide a report on your academic abilities and qualifications.

Statement of Intent

You must also submit a statement of intent with your application. The statement should be no longer than two pages, and you must format it according to the following parameters:

• US letter size layout
• One-inch margins
• Single spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman or similar professional font

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you are applying from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language, you must provide English language proficiency examination results as part of your application.

• You do not require an English language proficiency examination if you graduated from a university from one of the following countries: Canada, United States, Great Britain, The Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, British West Indies, Singapore.
• You must have taken the test within the last two years, and an official test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.

Application Fee

You are required to pay a non-refundable application fee. The application fee is waived only for applicants who are citizens and currently residing in one of the world's 50 least developed countries, as declared by the United Nations.

Acceptance Deposit

If you are admitted, to accept your offer, a $1000 deposit is required. Acceptance deposits must be paid when applicants accept the offer of admission, and are credited towards the first tuition installment. These non-refundable deposits assure that only applicants who intend to enter the program accept offers of admission, and reduces the time for those remaining on the wait list.

Application Deadlines

• Application deadline: December 15th
• Supporting document deadline: January 12th Incomplete applications will not be considered.