We expect applicants to hold a master's degree in economics. However, if you hold an outstanding record in your undergraduate honours program in economics and demonstrate success in intermediate and upper-level undergraduate courses in economic theory, mathematics, statistics and econometrics, we may admit you directly. All applicants must demonstrate a strong ability to undertake advanced studies and independent research.

Minimum Enrolment Period

Candidates for the PhD degree who hold a master's degree must be enrolled for a minimum of two academic sessions (two years) at UBC before taking the final examination for the PhD degree.

For students admitted to the PhD program with a Bachelor's degree, the total minimum enrolment period is three academic sessions (three years).

Admission to Candidacy

Students are admitted to candidacy when they have completed their period of residence and required coursework, passed the comprehensive examinations, submitted the summer research paper, and, most importantly, have their dissertation prospectus approved by their research supervisor.

A student who is not admitted to candidacy within three years from the date of initial registration is required to withdraw from the program. The dean may permit an extension of this period under exceptional circumstances.

Transcripts

You must obtain an official paper transcript from every post-secondary institution you have attended, regardless of whether you obtained a degree or not (including Canadian DEC programmes). Each transcript should then be scanned as an individual .pdf file and then uploaded to the application system as indicated.

All transcripts issued in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Original, official transcripts and degree certificates will be required once applicants are offered admission.

Letters of Reference

You are required to submit three confidential academic letters of reference. Letters should be from referees who can provide a report on your academic abilities and qualifications.

Your referees will be automatically contacted via the online application system only when you have submitted your online application. Referees will have the option of submitting their letters online or by mail. Letters sent by email or fax are not acceptable.

Statement of Intent

You must submit a statement of intent with your application. The statement should be no longer than two pages, and you must format it according to the following parameters:

• US letter size layout
• One-inch margins
• Single spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman or similar professional font

If you are applying from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language, you must provide English language proficiency examination results as part of your application. The test must be dated within the last two years, and an official test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.

Exempted countries

You do not require an English language proficiency examination if you graduated from a university from one of the following countries: Canada, United States, Great Britain, The Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, British West Indies, Singapore.

You are required to pay a non-refundable application fee. The online application requires a credit card payment via VISA or Mastercard, or Interac/debit from individuals with banking accounts at Scotiabank, Royal Bank, or TD Canada Trust.

The application fee is waived only for applicants who are citizens and currently residing in one of the world's 50 least developed countries, as declared by the United Nations. A list of these countries is available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Waivers are made in no other circumstances.

Deposit to accept admission

To accept your offer of admission, a $1000 deposit is required. Acceptance deposits must be paid when applicants accept the offer of admission, and are credited towards the first tuition installment. These non-refundable deposits assure that only applicants who intend to enter the program accept offers of admission, and reduces the time for those remaining on the wait list.

Check your Application

To check your application status and provide new information or updated documentation, please log in to My Applications. In My Applications, you can also find information about your references and your reference requests' status.