MA in Economics in Canada at UVic Canada

Program Overview for MA in Economics in Canada:

Study the story behind the numbers. Research in the Department of Economics addresses important topics such as poverty, climate change, and fluctuating housing markets. Learn professional analysis methods and powerful quantitative tools. Enhance your learning through hands-on experience through cooperative education.

Our masters and doctorates in economics provide economic theory and econometrics training and allow students to participate in supervised research projects.

The Master of Economics program is designed to provide you with a foundation in economic theory and econometrics. You will complement this education by choosing elective courses with an applied approach. Choose from 
 rehearsal or extended rehearsal program options.

Areas of focus:

Economic theory and econometrics applied to policy issues in:

• Environmental and resources economics
• Labor economics
• Industrial organization
• Development and growth
• Economics of Indigenous peoples
• Finance

The eligibility for MA in Economics in Canada for both domestic and international student is:

Applicants to either program must satisfy the department that they have the necessary skills in mathematics, statistics, and written and verbal communication to undertake the program. To this end, the department may require evidence of appropriate writing skills before admission.

Applicants with an undergraduate degree from a Canadian or U.S. university are ordinarily not required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). However, it may be an advantage to do so. All other students must take the GRE. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and/or the Graduate Adviser may require any student to complete this aptitude exam.

Applicants for admission whose first language is not English, who are not holding a recognized degree from a country where English is an official language, and who have not resided in Canada or other English speaking countries for at least three consecutive years immediately before the session applied for, must meet the English Language Proficiency, for admission.

Applicants who have minimal undergraduate training in economics may be considered for a preliminary program. Such students typically have a cumulative GPA of 7.0 (A-) or higher from their undergraduate degree, have strong skills in mathematics and statistics, and have undertaken some undergraduate economics courses.

This preliminary program, taken as a non-degree undergraduate student, requires 15 units of Economics courses, including microeconomic, macroeconomic, and econometric theory, as well as electives tailored to the student’s needs and interests, chosen in consultation with the department Graduate Advisor. A minimum GPA of 7.0 (A-) in these courses will result in automatic admission to the MA program; a student with a lower GPA may enter after selection in the regular admission process.

To be considered for the preliminary program, applicants must first apply to the MA program and then email the Graduate Adviser, providing a brief rationale for why they are looking to be admitted to the preliminary program. Applicants will not be admitted to the preliminary program to better their existing economics undergraduate degree.

Entry into either the MA program is in September. Availability of courses and faculty varies from year to year. The department website should be consulted for the most up-to-date information.

Admission to the MA program requires an undergraduate degree in economics, with at least a B (5.0) average in the last two years leading to the degree. Selection is competitive, based upon undergraduate performance, nature of undergraduate training, and (if relevant) GRE results.

Deadlines

The entry point to the Department of Economics in September of every year. All applications must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions and Records Office by February 1.

Applicants should keep in mind that substantial lead time is required to register for and take (if required) the GRE and the English language proficiency test in time for results to be received within the deadline.

These are the test eligibilities for the MA in Economics to qualify.

The international student tuition fees and costs for MA in Economics in Canada.

All graduate students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor.

MA applicants do not need to find a supervisor during the application process. They will select a supervisor during the first year of their program.

PhD applicants must indicate supervisor preferences in their application. Please do not contact prospective supervisors at this time. Faculty members cannot agree to supervise a student until the student’s complete application is received.

Contact the graduate secretary at gradecon@uvic.ca or 250-472-4409.

If you do not hold a degree from a recognized North American post-secondary institution, you must submit GRE scores in your application.

Graduate students registered in full-time programs are automatically considered for a fellowship. This is based on a qualifying GPA.

Individual award amounts may vary depending on the program.

UVic Fellowship Awards

• Up to $17,500 per year (masters)
• Up to $20,000 per year (Ph.D.)

UVic Graduate Awards

• Up to $10,000 per year (masters and PhD)

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for funding consideration is an A- average on the last two years of coursework
• Domestic and international students are considered equally for funding
• Full-time registration (3.0 units) for UVic Fellowship holders and at least part-time registration (1.5 units) for UVic Graduate Award holders
• Full-time registration for students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is 1.5 units

Every year we employ many graduate students to assist with teaching, research, and lab instruction.

• Their academic units hire teaching assistants (TAs) to assist with teaching and grading courses. These are unionized, hourly positions.
• Faculty members hire research assistants (RAs) to help with their research. These roles are sometimes called scientific assistants or laboratory instructors. RA salaries come from faculty members’ research grants. Because of this, RA hours, salary, and other details are worked out between you and the faculty member.

Work-study

The work-study program offers part-time jobs on campus that fit your course schedule.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a full-time student
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Co-operative Education Program (co-op)

UVic is home to the largest graduate co-op program in Canada. You can add a co-op to your master’s or doctoral studies for work experience in your field of study.

Bursaries

We offer non-repayable bursaries based on financial needs.

To be eligible for a bursary, you must be:

• Already receiving the maximum government student loans available to you
• In full-time status as determined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
• In good academic standing