Program Overview

Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE)

The Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE) program is a unique, one-year, course-based master's degree that integrates Economics, Policy, and Business concepts to provide data-driven solutions that meet the challenges and opportunities in the food, agriculture, and environmental sector. This degree offers a strong combination of economic, data, and analytical rigour combined with a 4-month work experience project, and a full year of data analytic and career-ready workshops that provides students with the skills and knowledge to take on real-world issues and opportunities in the food, agriculture, and environmental sector.

Overview

The MFRE program is completed over three terms: the first two comprise rigorous courses in multiple specialization areas; in the third one, students enhance and consolidate their MFRE experience through a summer graduating project. This project can take the form of research, a consultancy project, or an internship.

Program Structure

• The program is a 12-month master's program that blends aspects of an MBA and a MA in Economics.
• It incorporates applied Economics, Business, and Policy aspects within the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental sectors, helping students acquire a specialized understanding of these sectors and propelling them to pursue careers in academia, consulting, finance management, and entrepreneurship.

Quick Facts

• Faculty: Faculty of Land and Food Systems
• Academic Unit: Faculty of Land and Food Systems
• Specialization: Food And Resource Economics
• Mode of delivery: In person at UBC Vancouver
• Program Components: Coursework only
• Tuition (First Year):
  • Domestic: $24,541.10
  • International: $56,024.80

Admission Information & Requirements

Program Instructions

In the application to the UBC Master of Food and Resource Economics (MFRE), applicants will be asked to submit a Statement of Interest of approximately 500 words. In this statement, applicants must clearly describe:

1. Their connection with the Food / Natural Resources / Environmental sectors.
2. How the MFRE program fits with their future career plans.
3. Their background, interests, and goals.

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC).

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application.

Research Information

Program Components

Courses in the MFRE are organized into three pillars or knowledge areas (Economics, Policy, and Business, seen from an Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources, and Environmental perspective), supported by a set of quantitative & data analysis courses, and enriching professional development workshops.

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

• Application Fee: $118.50 (Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat), $168.25 (International)
• Tuition per installment: $8,180.38 (Canadian), $18,674.92 (International)
• Program Fee: $24,541.14 (Canadian), $56,024.76 (International)

Financial Support

The MFRE program offers several scholarship opportunities to students. The admissions committee reviews the documents and grades of all incoming applicants to determine if they are eligible to be nominated for these scholarships.

Career Options

The world-class MFRE program at UBC is a powerful stepping stone that enables experienced candidates to transition to a new industry and helps younger candidates transition from an academic to a workplace environment.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

• Applications: 245 (2023), 225 (2022), 375 (2021), 215 (2020), 186 (2019)
• Offers: 70 (2023), 65 (2022), 65 (2021), 63 (2020), 65 (2019)
• New Enrolment: 40 (2023), 38 (2022), 44 (2021), 35 (2020), 43 (2019)
• Total Enrolment: 42 (2023), 41 (2022), 44 (2021), 37 (2020), 43 (2019)

Related Programs

• Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Animal Biology (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Human Nutrition (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science (PhD)
• Graduate Certificate in Aquaculture (GCAQUA)
• Master of Food Science (MFS)
• Master of Land and Water Systems (MLWS)
• Master of Science in Applied Animal Biology (MSc)
• Master of Science in Food Science (MSc)
• Master of Science in Human Nutrition (MSc)
• Master of Science in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (MSc)
• Master of Science in Plant Science (MSc)
• Master of Science in Soil Science (MSc)