Economics

What you’ll learn

You’ll study:

• How incentives influence behaviour and decision-making
• The costs and benefits behind policies and business strategies
• How markets work—and where they fall short
• The economic drivers of global challenges

Key topics include:

• Poverty and economic development
• Climate change and environmental policy
• Housing and urban economics
• Financial markets and crises Immigration and labour markets
• Health care and public policy

Our faculty bring research into the classroom, exploring topics like ticket resale markets, sports economics and the long-term impacts of public policy decisions.

Gain real investment experience

Manage real investments and gain hands-on financial experience. In our Applied Portfolio Management Program, you'll:

• Manage a pool of real money
• Work with industry professionals and faculty mentors
• Build practical investment and portfolio management skills

Earn while you learn

Co-operative Education (Co-op)

• Through UVic’s Co-op program, you’ll apply what you learn in paid, career-related positions that count toward your degree—and give you a head start after graduation.
• Co-op is available to everyone, including international students with co-op work permits.
• On average, 70 percent of UVic Co-op students graduate with a job offer already in hand.
• Unlike at some universities, at UVic, you don’t have to compete for a spot in Co-op.

Customize your degree

Customize your degree specialize in:

• Banking and finance
• Development economics
• Environmental and resource economics
• International economics
• Labour economics
• Public policy

You can also broaden your education with a combined degree in Financial Mathematics and Economics. Tailor your studies to match your interests and career goals.

Where this degree can take you

An Economics degree opens doors across industries. Graduates work in roles such as:

• Economist or policy analyst
• Financial or investment analyst
• Data or market research analyst
• Business consultant
• Government advisor

You’ll be prepared to work in:

• Government and public policy
• Banking and finance
• Consulting and business strategy
• Non-profits and international development

Admission

Apply directly to this program as a high school student or a transfer student from another post-secondary institution.

Alternatively, you can apply to another major and then add this program as a minor after one year of full-time study.

Ready to apply?

We'll walk you through all of the steps in the process, from submitting your online application to accepting your offer of admission.