Career paths in economics
The diversity of our programs can give you a head start in preparing for many exciting careers.
This information will help you make decisions about how best to do this. Learn which of our programs to choose and how you can build on them.
Business, finance & accounting
The combination of a BA or BSc major with the business option (or business minor) and finance option are a good starting point for most careers in business. See the program planning worksheets to learn what your studies would look like.
Accounting certification
The Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) designation is very valuable and internationally recognized. There is a strong demand for CPAs not just in accounting jobs but also in all levels of management.
You can work towards meeting some of the academic prerequisites for the CPA by taking courses at UVic. See Academic Advising's page on Chartered Professional Accountancy. You will need to take some courses elsewhere or through the CPA prerequisite education program.
Camosun College is very active in supporting the CPA professional education program (PEP). They offer the full range of CPA acceptable courses.
Their accounting sequence starts with ACCT 110 and 111 and ACCT 220. These courses count towards all the certification programs. Together these courses can be counted in place of COM 270 as credit in our business option. (The BC Transfer Guide under COM 270 notes: CAMO ACCT 110 + CAMO ACCT 111 + CAMO ACCT 220 can be used to satisfy UVic COM 270 requirement for business minor and option programs).
Camosun's FIN 110 and 210 both count towards the CPA. Though COM 240 can't be used towards the CPA, you can transfer FIN 210 as COM 240 (CAMO FIN 210 [3] UVIC COM 240 [1.5]). You must have a grade of C or better to transfer.
You can use transfer credit from FIN 210 to meet the COM 240 prerequisite for ECON 435 and 454. Camosun offers many sections of these courses each term.
Most accounting and finance courses taken elsewhere transfer to UVic as 200-level credit. To complete your degree and certification efficiently you should plan early and not take too many 100- and 200-level electives at UVic. Otherwise, you might end up taking extra courses to satisfy graduating requirements.
At least 20 courses must be taken at UVic. At least 12 courses must be at the 300- and 400-level, and at least 8 of the 10 required 300- and 400-level courses in the economics major program must be taken at UVic.
Upper-level UVic COM courses open to Economics students (depending on availability) that count towards the CPA PEP include COM 302, 402, 425, 426, 435.
Economics courses that complement an accounting education are ECON 305, 310A, 413, 435, 454, 458 and 468.
Finance
Financial analysis relies on the analytic and quantitative methods of economics. It is generally regarded as a branch of economics, as well as business.
UVic students interested in pursuing a graduate finance program, either a specialized program or as part of an MBA, will be well served by an undergraduate economics program that includes the right combination of courses.
If you’re interested in a career in financial services, a BA or BSc major combined with the finance option is a good choice.
- The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) offers programs to prepare for careers in the financial services industry. The Canadian Securities course is the most popular.
- The chartered financial analyst (CFA) program is the gold standard for the investment profession. Financial analysis in general, and this program in particular, draw on the analytic and quantitative skills that are part of our department’s programs. An economics degree that includes courses in accounting and finance is a good starting point. This is a self-study program with exams written at 3 successive levels. Completing the Level I CFA exams serves as a strong signal to potential employers that you are serious about a career in this field. There is a CFA branch in Victoria.
- US Dept. of Labour, Bureau of Labour Statistics financial analyst career page
Policy formation
All government policies have economic implications and, whatever the objectives of the policy might be, the economic way of thinking and the economics toolkit can help insure that these objectives are achieved most effectively.
Not surprisingly, economists are at the centre of policy formation by governments and international agencies at all levels. A graduate degree is often expected.
We offer several courses with an explicit policy focus. These include courses in labour economics, health economics, Canadian public policy, urban economics, as well as a complete 4-course sequence in environmental and resource economics.
Graduate studies in economics
A graduate degree in economics is a common expectation for most jobs performed by professional economists. Our BSc honours program is an excellent foundation for graduate studies in economics.
Many of our undergraduates have gone on to notable success in some of the best graduate programs in Canada and elsewhere. Some are now teaching in universities in Canada and in the United States. We also offer our own master's and PhD programs.
We'll email you about events around employment opportunities and graduate studies. We also put on events for you to make contact with professional economists and their associations. Check the events calendar and check your email for upcoming opportunities.
Meet some of our alumni who have pursued careers as professional economists.
Resources
- Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP). The APAP develops high potential individuals for policy roles in the Government of Canada. They offer recent master's-level graduates the opportunity to establish a foundation of knowledge and experience in federal public administration.
- Canadian Association for Business Economics (CABE). There is a Victoria chapter and you can learn more about their activities through the national site.
Other career paths
Students with an undergraduate degree in economics can pursue other options like law, public administration, health information science and economic consulting.
The type of preparation best suited for each of these differs considerably. For example, students preparing for studies in law would benefit most from our courses that emphasize the institutional foundations of the economy.
These include not only courses in law and economics, but also courses in economic history, economic development and the history of economic thought. In this case, the BA Major or Honours programs would be more suitable than the BSc programs.