Application FAQ

*Applications are NOT accepted past these deadlines

Outstanding required documents received after these deadlines, which complete an application file, may be accepted; however, there is no guarantee that the application file will be processed and evaluated in time for a decision for the desired entry point or to obtain a student visa.

Further, if an application file is not complete by the application deadline (meaning all required unofficial documents have been submitted along with the completed application), the applicant may not be considered for financial assistance.

Thus, PLEASE PLAN AHEAD! It may take several weeks for your transcripts and assessment reports to be prepared by your university and your references. Make sure to start your application early and submit all required unofficial documents well before the deadline.

PhD applicants can be admitted to the PhD program only if they have a supervisor. We recognize that finding a supervisor can be challenging; therefore, we offer the option to PhD applicants to also apply to the Master's program. They will end up taking similar courses in their first year, and will have the option to transfer to the PhD program when they find a supervisor.

If your application package does not contain all required unofficial documents, your file will not be ready for evaluation.

A file will be considered complete and ready for evaluation once Graduate Admissions and Records has received unofficial copies of all of the following (if applicable):

• Transcripts
• Two assessment reports
• GRE scores
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Statement of Research interests (PhD Applicants only)
• Resume/CV (PhD and MA Applicants)
• Sample of writing (PhD Applicants only)

Only PhD applicants are required to identify potential supervisors during the admission process. MA students do not select a supervisor until September of their second year in the program. PhD applicants are asked to follow the steps below:

1. Review the PhD supervisor list and review the faculty profiles and areas of specialization that closely match your research interests.

2. Review faculty websites, reading their CVs or bios and perhaps some of their papers and publications.

3. Identify 2 or 3 faculty members you wish to have as your supervisor.

4. Write in your statement of research interests who those individuals are and why you think they would be good choices. This should be motivated by your research interests and ideas. 

Contacting the respective faculty members at this stage is not advised as faculty members are not permitted to agree to supervise an applicant without reviewing and assessing application packages in their entirety for all those applying to the Doctoral program.

Please do not send test results or other pertinent documents to faculty members as they will not be reviewed nor evaluated prior to the admissions process.

With your original application login ID and PIN, you can use the My UVic application feature to access your application online.

Using My UVic application, you can confirm whether the submission of your application and fee payment was successful. You will also be able to track any documents still required to complete your application. This system is directly linked to the system used by Graduate Admissions and Records to process your application. Any changes made to the status of your application are immediately updated and reflected on your My UVic application page.

Please note: During peak times, updates to the information within My UVic application regarding dates received may be impacted by processing delays. Your documents will be stamped on the date they are received by GARO, however it may take several weeks for this date to be reflected on your My UVic application page.

The tracking information for documents sent by courier will indicate the date they are received by GARO, but it still may take some time for that date to appear on your My UVic application page.

If you notice a discrepancy in your record, GARO recommends that you check back in a week for updates. If you’ve identified a problem with your submission, please contact Graduate Admissions and Records for assistance.

If you are exempt from taking the GRE or providing proof of English language proficiency, your status will show as "incomplete" until your file/transcripts have been processed by Graduate Admissions and Records (GARO).

If you meet the conditions that exempt you from either of these requirements based on the evaluation of your file, your status will change from "incomplete" to "complete" and will be forwarded to our department for review.

Within a few days of completing your application online, you will receive your UVic student number (starting with "V00") by email. Please include this number in all further correspondence with the university.

After preliminary processing, you will be sent instructions on how to track your application status online using My UVic application. To do so, use the applicant ID (A-number) that was generated at the start of the UVic online application, along with the PIN you created.

Once your application is complete and an admission decision made, you will be notified by email. Please note that your file must be complete, including all official documents, to receive a full offer of admission.

Detailed application status instructions are on the Faculty of Graduate Studies' website.

When are offers of admission made?

Offers of admission are sent in the form of an email by our department, usually between mid-February through April. If you receive an offer of admission from us, the Graduate Admissions and Records Office (GARO) will also send you an admissions letter via email stating the details of your provisional admission.

If you accept our offer, a formal offer of admission letter along with an acceptance package will be mailed to you. Offers of admission are time-sensitive and therefore we must receive a reply from you by the date stated in your offer letter to remain valid.

Do I need a study permit?

If you are an international student then yes, you need a study permit to study at the University of Victoria. International applicants must contact the Government of Canada regarding the details and application process for a study permit.

Study permit procedures can take up to six months or more in some countries, so it is essential that you apply for admission well before the posted deadlines for your entry point.

For further information and assistance about being an international student at UVic, contact International Student Services.

What additional steps do I need to take?

If you are considering living on campus, apply for housing early. For on-campus listings, click on the "Future Residents" tab or the "Family housing" tab as applicable. Off-campus listings are accessible through the "Off-Campus Housing" site.

STEP 1: Read department offer letter carefully

STEP 2: Accept or decline offer

Please respond to the graduate program assistant via email stating your decision (accept or decline) prior to the deadline as stated in your provisional offer letter. If you do not send a response by the stated deadline, your offer will be withdrawn and cancelled.

STEP 3: Pay deposit

If you have accepted our provisional offer of admission, you are required to pay a non-refundable $250 deposit to confirm your spot in the program. Please follow the necessary instructions outlined in your provisional offer of admission to make payment.

STEP 4: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY – Apply for study permit

Contact the Government of Canada to initiate the application process for a study permit. Study permit application procedures may take up to six months or more in some countries. Apply well before the posted deadlines for your entry point. 

For more information and assistance about being an international student at UVic, contact International Student Services.

STEP 5: Read graduate admissions offer letter carefully & follow instructions

Accepted students to the ECON Graduate program will receive an offer letter from our department along with an offer letter from the Graduate Admissions and Records Office (GARO). It is imperative that you follow the necessary instructions outlined in both of these letters to confirm your spot in the program.

STEP 6: Submit official documents

• If offered provisional admission, mail all official documents to GARO. Please include your full legal name with your document package; otherwise, delays may occur.
• Do not send official documents until all course work is completed and your degree is conferred.
• Official documents are not returned and will become property of the University of Victoria. If your originals are irreplaceable, you should submit copies for evaluation purposes and be able to provide the originals for comparison.

STEP 7: Set up a netLink ID, UVic email account

If you have your UVic student number (i.e. V00#), you can register for a NetLink account.

Your NetLink ID gives you access to a range of UVic computer systems and services. You will use your NetLink ID throughout your university career to log in to computers on campus and to access UVic’s central email system.

When you register for your NetLink ID, create your UVic email account at the same time. You will use your NetLink ID to access the My Page portal where you can access your student record; make changes to your personal information; and register for courses.

STEP 8: Update contact information

Please inform the graduate program assistant via email any time your contact information (i.e. address, email, and/or telephone number) changes as the graduate program assistant will be contacting you with important information throughout the summer months.

STEP 9: Housing

If you are considering living on campus, apply for housing early. It is your responsibility to find housing.

STEP 10: Employment/funding

Apply for a Teaching Assistantship (TA) position prior to the deadline. See the Employment page for TA information and application form.

STEP 11: Register for courses

The graduate program assistant will provide information on registering for courses in June via an Information Package. Registration for the winter session (September - April) opens at the end of June.

STEP 12: Pay tuition fees

Consult the Graduate Academic Calendar for the break-down of tuition and fees.

Tuition fee deadlines:

Fall term: September 30
Spring term: January 31
Summer term: May 31

We sincerely appreciate your disappointment in not being made an offer to our graduate program. Selection is highly competitive, based upon academic performance and training in previous degrees, written and verbal communication in the English language, research statements (for PhD applicants), and (if relevant) GRE results.

We receive a large volume of applications, of which the majority meet these basic requirements. However, our department generally only admits 15-20 MA students and 1-3 PhD students each intake year. As such, when the Admissions Committee selects applications, they consider not only the above stated requirements, but equality and diversity as well. Should you be intent on attending UVic, you are most welcome to apply for the MA or PhD program again next academic entry year.

Please note that due to the large volume of applications we receive each year, the department is unable to provide detailed explanations of its admissions decisions to each individual applicant. 

Please choose only one of the two methods below for submitting all documentation — not both:

1. Enclose all documents in one complete package and mail to the Graduate Admissions and Records Office. Please include your full legal name with your document package; without this information, delays will occur.
   OR
2. You may upload/submit any outstanding unofficial documents to Graduate Admissions and Records after submission of your application.  Simply log back into your MY UVic Application, go to your application checklist, and click on the "upload" link next to the outstanding document. The uploaded item will post in the uploaded documents section of the application. Uploading unofficial documents electronically will significantly improve the processing time for your file. 

An official document must bear an original university seal or stamp and be received in an unopened envelope that has been clearly sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. Documents which are not stamped and sealed, have been opened, or are received electronically will be considered unofficial.

Assessment reports and transcripts have specific information regarding their official submission. Please see How to Apply.

Documentation from applicants who are not admitted or do not take up an offer of admission will be kept on file with Graduate Records for one year.

Documents from students who have attended the University of Victoria will be kept on file for three years with Graduate Records after their last date of attendance. Each application you complete online will require you to upload a new set of documents before you will be able to submit. Therefore, you must still submit unofficial documents from all institutes attended; if accepted, you will not be required to submit new official copies.  

We encourage applicants to have all application materials (online application, unofficial documents and application fee) submitted to Graduate Admissions and Records by or before the application deadline.

Outstanding documents may come in past the application deadline; however, if received well after the application deadline, the applicant's file may not be processed in time for the desired entry point or in time to obtain a student visa, nor will the applicant be considered for fellowships and awards.

Unfortunately, we simply do not have the resources to do pre-evaluations. To be considered for the MA or PhD program, you must apply and go through the formal admissions process.

Note: Please be advised that it will not give you an advantage to email your education history and other credentials to our department, as they will not be taken into consideration unless you apply for admission.

See our Prospective Students page for more details. In short, you must:

1. Hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized institution, with at least a "B" (5.0) average in the last two years (or equivalent of 30 UVic units) leading to the degree.
2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, indicating any graded coursework completed and any degrees awarded and the date they were conferred.
3. Submit GRE scores (if applicable), and TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB scores (if applicable).
4. Have two assessment reports submitted from persons qualified to assess your ability to do graduate work.
5. Submit a statement of research interests (PhD applicants ONLY).
6. Submit a current Resume/CV (PhD and MA applicants) providing an overview of experiences and other qualifications.
7. Submit a writing sample (PhD applicants ONLY) in the form of one recent research paper.
8. Be sufficiently well prepared in mathematics and statistics as well as written and verbal communication.

Applicants with an undergraduate degree from a Canadian or U.S. university are ordinarily not required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), although 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 prior to the session applied for, must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement for admission.

No, an undergraduate degree in economics is not required, although without this background you are unlikely to be competitive in the admission process.

Normally, a student should have completed a BA in Economics prior to entering the MA Program, yet Bachelor's students who have undertaken a significant amount of work in Economics, but have graduated with another degree are highly considered.

The Admissions Committee is looking for you to have a solid background in upper level economic theory and econometrics, along with training in mathematics, statistics, and written and verbal communication.

If you are uncertain as to whether your undergraduate economics degree is adequate, you may find it helpful to compare your background with our recommended course list for our undergraduate students wishing to proceed to graduate school:

We will consider your application if your training includes intermediate microeconomics (comparable with ECON 313), intermediate macroeconomics (comparable with ECON 204) and an applied econometrics course (comparable with ECON 345).

Note: In such cases, you need to ensure that you have adequate mathematics training (e.g. one or more courses comparable with UVic’s MATH 208).

We do not examine whether your transcript meets this recommended background prior to the application process. We suggest that you carefully compare your undergraduate background with the above recommended courses.

Admission into the graduate program is highly competitive, and places are limited. Admission is offered only in the Fall Term (September) of each year.

Normally, a student should have completed a B.A. in Economics before entering the MA Program and an MA in Economics before entering the PhD program. Yet Bachelors or Master's students who have undertaken a significant amount of work in Economics, but have graduated with another degree are highly considered.

Being competitive in the admission process for a spot in the program generally requires the following:

Competitive MA Requirements:

• An undergraduate degree in economics, with a first class A- (7.0) average in the last two years leading to the degree.
• A solid background in upper level economic theory and econometrics
• Training in mathematics & statistics
• Excellent written and verbal communication in the English language. Our department puts great emphasis on writing and speaking in English. All aspects of each application are considered in this context and affect the admission decision.

Competitive PhD Requirements:

• A Master's degree in economics, with a first class A- (7.0) average in the last two years leading to the degree.
• A solid background in upper level economic theory and econometrics
• Training in mathematics & statistics
• Excellent written and verbal communication in the English language. Our department puts great emphasis on writing and speaking in English. All aspects of each application are considered in this context and affect the admission decision.
• A strong statement of research interests
• An available supervisor matching your research interests

Strictly speaking, no, but similar to the MA comments above, we expect incoming PhD students to have a strong background in economic theory and econometrics. Applicants without this background are unlikely to be competitive in the admission process.

Master's students who have undertaken a significant amount of work in Economics, but have graduated with another degree are highly considered.

There are no minimum scores for the GRE, though most students who have been admitted to our program have achieved scores at or above the 80th-90th percentile in all three parts of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, analytical).

Selection of students to the graduate program is competitive based upon undergraduate performance, nature of academic training, cumulative GPA and, if need be, GRE results. Thus, all three parts of the GRE are important and are considered when applicants are closely matched in all other aspects.

The GMAT cannot be substituted for the GRE.

If you are planning on independently upgrading at UVic, meaning you are looking to take some ECON courses at UVic but not an entire degree or diploma, you will need to apply to Undergraduate Admissions and Records as a non-degree (unclassified) student. Once you are admitted as a non-degree student, you may register for courses on your assigned registration date.

Please note that you may need permission from our department to register for courses if your previous academic history is not linked to the registration system. To obtain permission, please complete a Pre-requisite Waiver Form for each course you wish to take, stating that you are a non-degree student upgrading to apply for the MA program.

We will then be able to assess your transcripts to ensure that you have the appropriate background to register in each course. After you receive permission from us, you may register for courses on your assigned registration date (ticket time).

Students admitted to the Economics Graduate Program are automatically considered for financial support, with the amount of support determined on a competitive basis. 

The principal financial sources for students admitted to the program are:

• FGS Funding (graduate awards and fellowships)
• Teaching assistantships and/or research assistantships
• Donor Awards

Please note, to be eligible and considered for graduate awards, scholarships and/or fellowships you must have a minimum admissions GPA of 7.0 (A- or above) and international students must have a first class GPA standing.

MA students are usually funded for one year and PhD students typically receive three years of funding.

The Department offers the following departmental scholarships for which you may be eligible:

Phillips, Hager and North:

The Phillips, Hager and North scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding students in either the MA or PhD programs who are pursuing (or plan to pursue) a thesis or extended essay in the areas of environmental or resource economics. To be considered for an award you must submit a one-page research proposal (PDF file) by February 1st. The proposal must outline the main question to be examined, how the research fits into current research in the topic area, and the general approach to be used. Applications will be evaluated based on academic achievement and the merits of the research proposal. Interested applicants are to upload their one-page proposal as an additional document to the application. This may be done during the application process or uploaded at a later date prior to the February 1st deadline.

Women in Economics and Cynthia Johnston Economics Graduate Scholarships:

Two or more scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding women graduate students in the first year of a graduate degree in the Department of Economics. To be considered for these scholarships, applicants must upload a one-page report (PDF file) outlining community service and/or demonstrated leadership inside and outside of the classroom as an additional document to the application by February 1st, prior to September entry. This may be done during the application process or uploaded at a later date prior to the February 1st deadline. Selection will be made by the Graduate Awards Committee upon the recommendation of the Department of Economics.  

Additional funding:

We also encourage students to apply for additional funding in the form of provincial, federal and external funding, namely:

• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) - award amount is $17,500 for one year
• External awards and fellowships

Visit the Student Awards and Financial Aid  office for information on

• Government student loans and grants
• Bursaries

Unlike undergraduate programs, students in the graduate program do not pay tuition on a per course basis, but rather on a program basis that is broken into fee installments.

The MA degree program consists of a minimum of 5 full fee installments and the PhD program consists of a minimum of 7.5 full fee installments. An installment plus ancillary fees are assessed for each term in which a student is registered full-time. If students require additional time to complete their degrees, further fees are assessed.

For fee regulations and a current tuition fee breakdown, please see the Graduate Academic calendar.

Although it is possible to complete the MA program, whether you choose the essay or thesis option, within one full academic year (i.e. 12 consecutive months), it is not the standard.

Typically, MA economics students take anywhere from 20 to 24 months to complete the degree, as many students choose to incorporate the co-operative education option in their degree, take a maximum of three courses per term, and spend several hours working on their research towards the defense of their extended essay or thesis.

We also caution students looking to complete their MA degree within one academic year, as often supervisors are not available during the summer months (May-August) to attend oral exams.

If you want to take courses in the Faculty of Graduate Studies for credit, but not towards a degree at the University of Victoria, you may be admitted as a non-degree student. You must meet the same entrance requirements and follow the same application procedure as degree-seeking applicants.

Before applying, you need to determine which UVic courses you wish to take as a non-degree student. You must indicate the department code and course number for these classes on your application (i.e., ECON 500).

Fees for courses taken as a non-degree student will be charged on a per-unit basis as outlined under fees for non-degree students. Any fees paid as a non-degree student may not be later applied to a graduate degree.

To apply, complete the online My UVic Application.

The Graduate Admissions & Records Office (GARO) can begin an initial evaluation with uploaded unofficial transcripts.
Unofficial transcripts are:

• Non-official photocopies
• Transcripts which have been opened or arrive without a sealed envelope
• Transcripts not endorsed by the issuing institution (signature, seal or chop over the closure)
• Transcripts received electronically
• Transcripts which arrive without the official seal of the university

If you have incomplete courses not listed on your official transcript, please provide a list of courses in progress and their credit weight in your application.

Official transcripts and degree certificates are:

• Sealed in envelopes endorsed by the granting university, and include
• Signature, seal or chop over the envelop closure

Students that have previously attended UVic are required to submit unofficial transcripts. They DO NOT require official transcripts to be submitted.

Unless the documents are only available in English, the official original language document accompanied by a certified literal English translation is required.

Certified photocopies endorsed by the issuing university and sent in a sealed, endorsed envelope are acceptable.

Documents not received in this manner, are unofficial and if accepted to the program, GARO will require official documents to confirm your information.

Graduate Admissions and Records Office mailing information:

Mailing address:
Graduate Admissions and Records
University of Victoria
PO Box 3025 STN CSC
Victoria BC V8W 3P2
Canada

Courier address:
Graduate Admissions and Records
University of Victoria
University Centre A206
3800 Finnerty Road (Ring Road)
Victoria, BC V8P 5C2

All applicants must have assessment reports submitted from two professors or other academic authorities familiar with their work. The names and professional email addresses (not personal email addresses) of your chosen assessors/referees are required when you submit your application.

Once you have submitted your online application and have paid the application fee, your referees will receive notification by email, stating that they have been identified by you to provide an academic assessment.

In this email, your referees are given your name, the program/degree, the term to which you are applying, and will be asked to submit their assessment using a secure, online reporting system. An encrypted link in the email will allow them to populate the assessment report online and submit it directly to the Graduate Admissions and Records Office electronically.

We recommend that you contact each of your referees to confirm their willingness to complete an assessment on your behalf.

We strongly encourage your referees to complete the online assessment report provided in their automated email, however, should your referee not wish to complete the electronic version, letters of reference may be supplied in lieu of assessment reports and should be submitted in ONLY one of the following two ways in order to be considered official:

• Mailed in a sealed envelope signed by the assessor across the back seal.

• Sent by the assessor as a PDF by email to gradrefs@uvic.ca.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is only required for those applicants coming from a University outside of Canada or the United States. If you hold a degree from a recognized Canadian or U.S. post-secondary institution, you are NOT required to take the GRE.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) CANNOT substitute for the GRE.

GRE scores entered as part of your online application are unofficial.

If offered admission, you are required to have your offiicial GRE scores sent directly from the testing agency to the University of Victoria, so that GARO can verify the information received for admission purposes.

If your first language is not English, and you have not resided in a designated English-speaking country for three years immediately prior to the entry-point applied for, you must provide proof of English Language proficiency. You may do so by completing one of three English Language proficiency exams: TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB test.

Official test score reports must be sent directly to the University of Victoria by the testing agency. Scores older than two years are not acceptable.

The language proficiency requirements are not required, if you hold a recognized degree from a designated English-speaking country.

A PhD applicant must provide a personal statement of research interests that

• Explains your motivations for pursuing a doctorate degree in economics.
• Provides a detailed description of your research interests.
• Identifies up to three faculty members from the Department of Economics with whom you share close research interests that would serve as potential supervisors. Please refer to the list of faculty who are currently willing to supervise PhD students

PhD applicants that do not include all of the above in their statement of research interests WILL NOT be reviewed.

This personal statement is much more important for admission at UVic than at most other universities. Faculty members that you identify as potential supervisors will review your application and play a central role in its evaluation.

To be admitted to the PhD program, it is essential that you demonstrate with conviction that you have thought seriously about your chosen field of research and the reasons why you are interested in working with the professors you identify.

Phillips, Hager, and North Graduate Scholarship for Research in Environmental and Resource Economics

Application to the Phillips, Hager, and North Graduate Scholarship requires a one-page research proposal. For more information, please see the "Will I be considered for financial assistance" heading under the Financial Matters FAQ tab.

Women in Economics and Cynthia Johnston Economics Graduate Scholarship

Application to the Women in Economics and/or the Cynthia Johnston Graduate Scholarship requires a one-page report. For more information, please see the "Will I be considered for financial assistance" heading under the Financial Matters FAQ tab.