Economics (MA)
Admissions
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic grad student, from finding a supervisor to submitting your application.
Graduate program application FAQ
General Program Requirements
• Course credit
• Personal leave
• Parental, Compassionate or Medical leave of absence - Graduate Academic Concession form
• Co-op work term
• Formally withdraw from the program
Failure to not register in one of the above options means abandonment of your program. You will be withdrawn from the university and your program terminated. Your academic record will be notated “Withdrawn without Permission”.
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)
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)
NEED HELP?
- Find your supervisor/s
- Discover your research interests
- Explore what past graduates did
For further assistance, contact the graduate program assistant.
In general, the main differences between the essay and thesis options are the number of required electives to complete, the amount of research required, and future career direction.
The extended essay option is an independent research project, generally shorter in length in comparison to the thesis, and requires completion of five elective courses. This option is suitable for those aiming for careers in the public and private sectors.
The thesis option is for those interested in completing research at a more advanced level, generally longer in length in comparison to the essay and requires completion of four elective courses. This option is suitable for those aiming for careers in academia.
Can I take courses outside my MA program?
As an MA student you are able to take a maximum of two courses outside your program with permission from your supervisor and graduate advisor. Courses may be selected from graduate level courses outside the department or 400-level economics courses. Completion of a Graduate Registration form is required. Please submit the form to the graduate program assistant.
I intend to defend, how far in advance do I need to notify the graduate program assistant?
For MA extended essays, at least 10 working days prior to your tentative defense date.
For MA theses, at least 25 working days prior to your tentative defense date. The defense date must allow at least 20 working days for the graduate program assistant to submit the Request for Oral Examination form to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
What are my options for taking a leave of absence from the program?
There are three types of Leave of Absence with Permission:
- Medical: a student is suffering from illness or injury
- Compassionate: a student is suffering personal or family affliction
- Parental: a student is expecting a child, and/or has primary responsibility for the care of a child immediately prior to or following birth or an adoption.
Personal leave of absence is also available and is normally arranged through the UVic MyPage portal before the course add deadline. If after the add deadline a Graduate Academic Concession form will need to be submitted to the graduate program assistant. Personal leave of absences will be counted towards your time limit for completion.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, prospective students are urged to consult the latest University of Victoria Calendar, or contact the Graduate Program Assistant in the Department of Economics.
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
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
Program planning
Both the thesis and the extended essay options are designed to be completed in 20-24 months with the co-op option.
Co-op
UVic is home to the largest co-op graduate program in Canada. Learn about combining co-op placements with your MA on the co-op for graduate students website.
Grad students are also eligible for the shorter work experience program.
Student Facilities
Reid Elliott Reading Room
The Reid Elliott Reading Room is a place for Economics undergraduate and graduate students to:
- Study between classes
- Get help from Economics Course Union tutors
- Meet with other Economics students
Professor G. Reid Elliott joined the staff of Victoria College in 1949. Although economics and economic history were his major academic concerns, he was an all-round man, and, in his first decade here, taught math, accounting and political science. He became the first head of our then combined Department of Economics and Political Science.
He retired in 1969 but continued to be involved in the department until his death in 1974. The Reid Elliott Reading Room is named in his honour, to recognize the contribution he made to this institution.
Graduate computer lab
We maintain a dedicated graduate student computing facility to meet both the course and research requirements of students registered in our programs.
TA & Graduate student office space
Shared office space is provided for first year MA and PhD students as well as teaching assistants and research assistants employed in our department. Office space is not guaranteed for MA students after their first year.
Courses
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for a complete listing of economics graduate courses.
May - Aug. 2024
Summer session 2024
Term dates:
Term 3: Jul. 3 - Aug. 18, 2024
Final exam dates:
Exams will be in class
| Course | Name | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 520 A01 Term 3 |
Economic Development |
A. Kumar |
Sept. - Dec. 2024
Winter session 2024-2025, first term
| Course | Name | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 500 |
Microeconomic Analysis |
P. Kennedy |
| ECON 516 |
Cost-Benefit Analysis |
P. Kennedy |
|
Health Economics |
C. Auld | |
|
Economics of Finance |
K. Xu | |
|
Econometric Analysis |
C. Auld | |
|
Game Theory in Economics |
D. Rondeau |
Jan. - Apr. 2025
Winter session 2024-2025, second term
| Course | Name | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 501 |
Macroeconomics Analysis |
M. Cozzi |
| ECON 519 |
Economics Epidemiology |
C. Auld |
|
Economics and Indigenous Nations |
D. Feir | |
|
Environmental Economics |
P. Kennedy | |
|
Applied Econometric Modeling |
T. Wang | |
|
Computational Methods in Economics and Econometrics |
M. Cozzi | |
|
Information and Incentives |
D. Rondeau |