Economics (MA)

Admissions:

• Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic grad student, from finding a supervisor to submitting your application.

MA Admission Requirements

Do you want to apply to our program? Start here! This page is a guide which includes the instructions and requirements for applying to our graduate level programs

Graduate Program application FAQ

Commonly asked questions from students who apply to our program
Includes extensive information on application requirements, funding opportunities, and more...

Meet our Graduate students

See our current graduate students, their supervisors, and research interests

Completion of core courses and electives
Successful completion (grade B or above) of the core program (4.5 units):

• ECON 500 (1.5 units) Microeconomic Analysis
• ECON 501 (1.5 units) Macroeconomic Analysis
• ECON 545 (1.5 units) Econometric Analysis

Electives:

• Thesis-based: additional four courses (6 units) at the ECON 500 level and/or 400 level/other departments (3 units max)
• Extended Essay-based: additional five courses (7.5 units) at the ECON 500 level and/or 400 level/other departments (3 units max)

Final course:
All students are required to defend their thesis or extended essay in a final oral examination.

• Thesis-based: ECON 599 (4.5 units)
• Extended Essay-based: ECON 598 (3.0 units)

Funding
Every year, UVic awards $12 million to help fund graduate students through a combination of:

• UVic Fellowships and Awards
• Teaching Assistantships
• Research Assistantships

Most of our students also receive external awards and scholarships and financial aid and bursaries. Consideration for funding is automatic. A funding offer is normally included with an offer of admission.

Outcomes
Graduates with an MA in economics will be able to:

• Use economic concepts and theoretical models to answer policy questions
• Use econometric methods to analyze economic data
• Communicate economics concepts and research results effectively
• Complete a capstone research project that illustrates the skills acquired
• Start a career as an economic research analyst in the public or private sector
• Enter a PhD program in Economics
• Teach economics at the undergraduate level

Job placements
In the last few years, graduates of our MA and PhD programs have been successful in obtaining initial job placements in a variety of settings.

Here are some examples:

• Economist, Environment Canada
• Assistant Professor, Central University of Finance and Economics
• Economist, Analysis and Modeling Division, Environment Canada
• Treasury Board Analyst, Economic Forecasting and Analysis Branch, BC Ministry of Finance
• Econometrician, BP Canada
• Research Analyst, BC Statistics
• Portfolio Officer, P3 Development and Advisory Services National Centre of Expertise, Public Works and Government Services Canada
• Economist, BC Statistics
• Economist, Ministry of Health
• Assistant Professor limited term, University of Victoria
• Economist, Bank of Montreal
• Provincial Data Coordinator, HealthLinkBC
• Policy Analyst, BC Ministry of Health Services
• Senior Economist, MS Economic Analysis, BC Ministry of Health Services
• Assistant Professor, School of Business, Trinity Western University
• Policy Analyst, Health Canada
• Manager, Policy, Outcomes Evaluation & Research, BC Ministry of Health Services
• Energy Economist, Policy and Royalty Branch, Oil and Gas Division, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
• Deputy Director of planning and operation, Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC)
• Transit Analyst, BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
• Assistant Economist, Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK
• Researcher, Ministry of Labour and Citizen Services
• Policy Analyst, Enterprise Saskatchewan, Competitiveness and Strategy Branch, Economic Analysis and Measurement
• Economics and Statistics Instructor, Camosun College