Support and Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply to get into an Economics Majors Program? How do I apply to a Combined Major in Economics and [Mathematics/Statistics/Political Science/Philosophy]

Admission to all of the Majors programs in Economics is not automatic. To be admitted by the VSE, students must submit a formal application online. Because there are a limited number of places some students who satisfy the minimum prerequisites may not be admitted. You can find more information about admission below.

When is the application available online? What is the deadline?

The application form will be available on the Vancouver School of Economics website March 15 and the deadline is May 5.

If I miss the deadline, will you accept a late application?

Sorry, we will not accept late applications after this deadline for any of our programs. There are no exceptions.

Is there a fee to apply? Do I need to write a personal statement, resume, or provide letters of reference?

No, there is no fee to apply, and we do not require or accept personal statements or letters of reference.

I am missing one course; can I still apply and be admitted to an Economics program?

The VSE will, under certain conditions, accept applications from a student who has not met all requirements, providing that the student indicates on their application online that there is a firm plan for these missing requirements to be met by August 31. It is the student's responsibility to inform the Vancouver School of Economics, in writing and by the deadline, that they have completed the missing requirements; the School will not seek this information independently. If otherwise eligible, the VSE will admit such students on a provisional basis.

Do I need to include copies of my transcripts?

Yes.  You must submit official transcripts of your student record from all post-secondary educational institutions attended, other than UBC, in order for your application to be considered for admission.

I am currently attending a college or another university. What do I need to know about applying to Economics at UBC?

All students must submit a formal application for admission, which is subject to our BA Admissions criteria by May 5; there are no late applications allowed - however, if you are missing certain requirements you can be eligible for provisional admission, as outlined on the admissions page.

Many college students will not have been accepted to UBC by the application deadline. This is fine: if you have applied to come to UBC in the Fall/Winter then apply to Economics by the deadline. Tell us on the application form that you are waiting to hear about UBC admission, and we will consider your application provisionally.

Some students study commerce, then try to apply to economics. Most commerce courses are not substitutable for economics courses for the purposes of admission or graduation. We have listed all approved substitutes on our Approved Substitutes page.

Official transcripts covering all post-secondary courses taken other than at UBC must accompany your application. If the VSE does not accept your first application to Economics you should immediately select another major; repeated applications are unlikely to be successful.

I have more than 75 credits on my transcripts. Can I still apply?

Yes, but you must declare another major first. A student who applies to the Economic Majors or a Combined Economics program and who has 75 or more credits on their academic record requires, in addition to the standard prerequisites, that the student have a Major Specialization (other than Economics) declared on the Student Services Center. The Faculty of Arts requirement that every student have a declared major at the beginning of Third year. No application to Economics will even be considered from a student who has 75 or more credits and who does not satisfy this requirement.

I have 90 or more credits on my transcripts. Can I still apply?

No, students are not admitted to the Economics specialization in the final 30 credits of their degree.

Can I take all program requirements and graduate at the end of my first year in the program?

No. All Economics programs are two-year programs. You will not be enrolled in ECON 490 until your second Winter academic session as an ECON major. There are absolutely no exceptions to this rule. If you wish to graduate in a single academic session, you must do so with a major other than Economics.

Does the VSE consider International Baccalaurate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), or A-Levels transfer credits in the GPA calculation for the BA admission?

Yes, the Vancouver School of Economics will use IB, AP and A-Levels transfer-credit courses granted by UBCV admissions in the GPA computation for the Economic Combined Majors/Majors/Honours application. IB ECON 1st 6.0 credits can be used, but do not replace ECON 101 or 102; they just count as a generic economics course.

Does the VSE consider transfer credits from other institutions in the GPA calculation for the BA admission?

Yes, the Vancouver School of Economics will use all post-secondary transfer-credit courses recognized by UBCV admissions and enrolment services in the GPA computation for the Economic Combined Majors/Majors/Honours application. You must submit all official transcripts from any post-secondary institution you have attended.

Is it easier to get into a Combined Major than the regular Economics Major?

No. The Vancouver School of Economics selects a single pool of students based on GPA and admission requirements from all the applicants. Once the overall pool has been selected students are then allocated to the program of their choice, whether it is the Economic Major or a Combined Major Program. In other words, students selected to any Economics Program in a given year have all satisfied exactly the same admission criteria.

Is it still possible for me to get into the regular major if I am rejected from a Combined Major?

Yes. If you apply for a combined major, you are automatically considered for the regular economics major as well; if your application for a combined major is denied, you may still be offered admission to the regular major instead.

What are the requirements for admission to the BA Major in Economics program?

To be admitted, all students must submit a formal application, which is subject to our BA Admissions criteria, which includes specific courses which must be completed before admission.

An important note for first year students: Economics has recently added ECON 325 to the list of required courses. Students interested in applying for economics after their second year should ensure they complete calculus (e.g. MATH 100 and 101) prior to their second year, as they are pre-requisites for ECON 325 (or substitutable courses). Students who take MATH 100/101 in their second year will need to take ECON 325 during summer and will only be eligible to apply for provisional admission status. The VSE will offer ECON 325 in 2024S, but does not guarantee that the course will be available in subsequent summer sessions.

What are the requirements for admission to the BA Combined Major in Economics and Mathematics program?

Admission to the program is subject to the same BA Admissions criteria that apply to the Major in Economics and is also subject to the admission criteria in the Mathematics Department. Please contact the Mathematics Department for further information. Specific requirements may be different for students in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.  We approve applications from the economics side, then send it to Math for approval; no second application is needed.

What are the requirements for admission to the BA Combined Major in Economics and Political Science program?

Admission to the program is subject to the same BA Admissions criteria that apply to the Majors in Economics, and is also subject to admission procedures in Political Science.  You must also apply to Political Science at the same time they apply to economics.  Details can be found on the Political Science website.

What are the requirements for admission to the BA Combined Major in Economics and Philosophy?

Admission to the program is subject to the same BA Admissions criteria that apply to the Major in Economics and may also be subject to admission procedures in Philosophy. In addition to Faculty requirements, the program also has Economics and Philosophy requirements, which you can find below.  We approve applications from the economics side, then send it to Philosophy for approval; no second application is needed.

What are the requirements for admission to the BA Combined Major in Economics and Statistics?

Admission to the program is subject to the same BA Admissions criteria that apply to the Major in Economics, and is also subject to the admission criteria in the Statistics Department.  We approve applications from the economics side, then send it to Statistics for approval; no second application is needed.

Note: There are two combined majors options: a BSc and a BA. Students in the Faculty of Science admitted to the statistics major may apply to VSE to enter the BSc Combined Major with Economics in their second year. Specific requirements may be different for students in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.

Do I still need MATH 100 (104) even though the Sauder School of Business no longer requires it?

Yes.

I took a course that was very similar to a requirement. Can I use it instead?

See our list of approved substitutable courses.

What's the difference between a combined major and a double major?

A double major consists of two majors, one in each subject. This requires approximately 42 credits in each of the fields of specialization, for a total credit requirement of 84. A combined major in two fields is a single major that requires core material from each of the fields. It requires approximately 30 credits in each core for a total of 60 credits.

It is usually easier to complete a combined major in a regular 4-year degree program than to complete a double major, without taking an overload or summer courses.

The VSE rejected my application. Can I apply again?

While it is possible to apply more than once, please think very carefully about pursuing this option. Many more students are intent on majoring in Economics than the Vancouver School of Economics can possibly accommodate. Every year, seat limitations force us to turn down applicants because we do not have sufficient spaces to accommodate demand. If you are not above the cut-off in one year, it is highly unlikely that you would be above the cutoff in any other year, when there is a whole new panel of applicants to be considered.

In addition, we do not accept applications to enter the major in the fourth year (that is, from applicants wishing to graduate within 12 months of application) or from students who already have 90 or more credits on their academic record. Any student who applies to the Economic Majors or a Combined Economics program and who has 75 or more credits (but less than 90) on their academic record must also declare a Major Specialization (other than Economics) on the Student Services Center.

In short, if the VSE rejects your application, your first concern and priority must be to select an alternative major with which to graduate.

How can I do Economics from within the Interdisciplinary Studies Program?

Students who are unable to major in Economics but are still interested in economics, and want to do more than a minor are encouraged to consider UBC's Interdisciplinary Studies program. The Arts Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST) program allows students to build a unique BA program in an area unavailable through an existing major or minor.

IDST cannot include as many economics courses as the major, and a maximum of 18 credits from upper-level courses in the subject chosen as their primary discipline.  However, it is possible for IDST students who choose Economics as their primary discipline and who make a careful selection of supporting courses to retain Economics as the primary influence on their undergraduate education. This is especially true because the School of Economics, alone in the Faculty of Arts, regularly offers a research-intensive course in Economics designed - and reserved - for IDST students.

Do you have a waitlist for courses?

No, the VSE does not keep waitlists for courses.

Can I ask an instructor to add me to a course?

No, instructors at the VSE do not have signing authority to unilaterally add students to their courses.

If a required course is full, what do I do?

If a required class for your degree is full, and you are a Combined Major/Major/Honours student in Economics come to the Vancouver School of Economics Office located in Iona Building (6000 Iona Drive) to speak to the Undergraduate Student Support, call (604) 822-9699, or send an email to: vse.undergrad@ubc.ca

I'm missing a prerequisite for a course. Can I still take it?

Students must have the specified prerequisite(s) for the course in which they wish to enrol. The school does not allow students to register in courses for which they do not have the required prerequisite(s) as outlined in the current UBC calendar. There are no exceptions to this rule for core economics courses (ECON 301, 302, 325, 326, 490/495/499). Exceptions in other courses are at the discretion of the course instructor, and they are extremely rare. Please consult the UBC current calendar for prerequisite listings.

If I have taken more than 60 credits of economics, what will happen?

The Faculty of Arts rules stat that a student must include in the 120 credits required for the degree at least 42 credits but no more than 60 credits in one subject (discipline) or field of specialization. You may take more than 60 economic credits, but Arts will not use them in the 120 total credits required to graduate.

I have received transfer credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) ECON 1st 6.0 credits. Can this replace ECON 101 and 102 or be used to meet course pre-requisites?

No. IB Econ 1st 6.0 credits are not equivalent to UBCV ECON 101 and ECON 102 and cannot be used to satisfy prerequisites for economic courses.

Can I take ECON 301, 302, or 326 at the same time as ECON 490?

No. ECON 301, 302, and 326 are prerequisites for ECON 490. You cannot take these courses concurrently for any reason.

Can STAT 200, COMM 191, or a similar course be used in place of ECON 325 to satisfy Economics major requirements?

It depends; consult our Substitutable Courses page for more information.

If I took STAT 241 or 251, or another higher-level statistics course, can they replace ECON 325?

It depends. You can apply to the VSE Majors advisor to be exempted from Econ 325 if you have passed any of these courses. However, these courses do not count as ECON credits towards any Economics program requirements. See our Substitutable Courses page for more information.

Can I get credit for two courses in basic statistics or probability?

It depends; please consult the current UBC calendar under the Credit Exclusion Lists – Probability and Statistics (Faculty of Science) for information.

Can I register in a section of ECON 101 or 102 with the designation STT next to it on the Student Service Centre?

There are general seats available in most sections that have the STT designation for students to register into. If you could not register, it means the course/section is full. Keep checking online as students are constantly adjusting their registration.

ECON 101 and ECON 102 sections which indicate "restricted for CAP or BIE students only" are not available for registration. These sections of ECON 101 and ECON 102 are restricted to students who have been accepted into the Coordinated Arts Program (CAP) or Bachelor of International Economics Program (BIE).

How do I enter the Economics Majors code on the Student Service Centre?

You don't. The Majors code can only be entered by the Vancouver School of Economics if you are accepted into our programs.

I accidentally dropped the Economics Majors specialization code. What do I do?

You can send an email to: vse.undergrad@ubc.ca with your name and student number, and the specialization code will be re-entered for you.

Can I Major in Economics and another Major?

Yes, students wishing to pursue a Major in Economics and another subject will take at least 42 credits and no more than 48 credits in Economics, and at least 42 and no more than 48 credits in their other discipline.

• Students pursuing a double major in Economics and International Relations should note that some Economics courses can count towards both majors. They must check with the Faculty of Arts Advising office to make sure they satisfy these ceiling restrictions.
• At least 30 credits in each discipline/field of specialization must be in courses numbered 300 or above. See the current UBC Calendar, 'Faculty of Arts' section 'B.A. Degree Program Requirements' for more information.

Is advising mandatory for Economics Majors students?

No, but it is essential for students to plan their program of studies over their final two years to ensure that they complete:

• (i) all requirements for their Major program;
• (ii) all Faculty requirements for graduation

We encourage all students to consult with our BA Advisors in formulating their program of studies.

Students should also independently seek verification about Faculty requirements from the Faculty of Arts Advising Office (or their home Faculty advising office) as to whether their program satisfies Faculty requirements for graduation.

What is the procedure for graduation?

4th Year students registered in their last degree required courses must apply for graduation through the Student Service Centre. If you have not registered in the Winter Session you must contact Enrolment Services for assistance with your graduation application.

More graduation information can be found on-line at http://www.students.ubc.ca/

How will I know if I am eligible for graduation and have met all the economics requirements for graduation?

Please call the Vancouver School of Economics, Undergraduate Student Support (604) 822-9699 or send an email to vse.undergrad@ubc.ca to book an advising appointment to see if the economic program requirements for graduation have been satisfied.

If I have taken more than 60 credits of Economics, what happens?

The Faculty of Arts states that a student must include in the 120 credits required for the degree at least 42 credits but no more than 60 credits in one subject (discipline) or field of specialization. You may take more than 60 Economic credits but Arts won’t use them in the 120 total credits required to graduate.

How do I enter the Economics Combined Majors code on the Student Service Center

You don't. If the VSE accepts your application to the Combined Majors program, we will enter it for you.

I accidentally dropped the Economics Combined Majors specialization code. What do I do?

You can send an email to: vse.undergrad@ubc.ca with your name and student number, and the specialization code will be re-entered for you.

Is advising mandatory for Economics Combined Majors students?

No, but it is essential for students to plan their program of studies over their final two years to ensure that they complete:

• (i) all requirements for their Major program;
• (ii) all Faculty requirements for graduation

We encourage all students to consult with our BA Advisors in formulating their program of studies if they have any difficulty.

Students should also independently seek verification about Faculty requirements from the Faculty of Arts Advising Office (or their home Faculty advising office) as to whether their program satisfies Faculty requirements for graduation.

What is the procedure for graduation?

4th Year students registered in their last degree required courses must apply for graduation through the Student Service Centre. If you have not registered in the Winter Session you must contact Enrolment Services for assistance with your graduation applications.

More graduation information can be found on-line at http://www.students.ubc.ca/

How will I know if I am eligible for graduation and have met all the economics requirements for graduation?

Please call the Vancouver School of Economics, Undergraduate Student Support (604) 822-9699 or send an email to vse.undergrad@ubc.ca to book an advising appointment to see if the economic program requirements for graduation have been satisfied.

If I have taken more than 60 credits of Economics, what happens?

The Faculty of Arts has a ruling that to graduate with a Major, a student must include in the 120 credits required for the degree at least 42 credits but no more than 60 credits in one subject (discipline) or field of specialization. You can take more than 60 Economic credits but Arts won’t use them in the 120 total credits required to graduate.

How do I get into the Economics Honours Program?

Admission to the Honours/Majors/Combined Majors program in Economics is not automatic. Students must submit a formal application for admission online. Because there are a limited number of places some students who satisfy the minimum prerequisites may not be admitted. You can find more information on our BA Honours page.

When is the application available online? What is the deadline?

The application will be available on the Vancouver School of Economics website March 15 and the deadline is May 5.

You should submit the online application for the Honours Program before the deadline, and prior to registering for your final 60 credits, to ensure that you will be considered for admission.

Will the VSE consider International Baccalaurate (IC), Advanced Placement (AP), or A-Levels transfer credits in the GPA calculation for the Honours application?

Yes, the Vancouver School of Economics will use IB, AP and A-Levels transfer-credit courses granted by UBCV admissions in the GPA computation for the Economic Combined Majors/Majors/Honours Application.

What GPA do I need to get into the Economics Honours program?

The VSE restricts registration in the Honours Program in Economics and subjects registrations to a quota. We rank all students who apply according to their weighted GPA (and admission requirements prerequisites) and admit students by their highest GPA until we reach the quota. The GPA for the last student admitted varies widely from year to year.

Can I do a double Honours degree?

Yes, students wishing to pursue another Honours subject besides Economics should consult the Honours Advisor.

How do I enter the Economics Honours code on the Student Services Centre?

You don't. The VSE accepts you into the Honours program, we will enter the the Honours code for you.

I accidentally dropped the Economics Honours specialization code. What do I do?

You can come to the Vancouver School of Economics Office located in the Iona Building (6000 Iona Drive), call Undergraduate Student Support at (604) 822-9699 or send an email to: vse.undergrad@ubc.ca and the specialization code will be re-entered.

Is advising mandatory for Economics Honours students?

Yes. It is essential for students to plan their program of studies over their final two years to ensure that they complete:

• (i) all requirements for their Honours program;
• (ii) all Faculty requirements for graduation

We require all Economics Honours students to obtain approval for the Economics Honours section of their program. The VSE will verify whether the student’s proposed program satisfies all Economics Honours requirements. The student must independently seek verification from the Faculty of Arts or Science Advising Office as to whether their program satisfies Faculty requirements for graduation. We encourage all students to consult with the Honours advisor in formulating their program of studies.

What is the procedure for graduation?

4th Year students registered in their last degree required courses must apply for graduation through the Student Service Centre. If you have not registered in the Winter Session you should contact Enrolment Services for assistance with your graduation applications.

You can find more graduation information on-line at http://www.students.ubc.ca/

How will I know if I am eligible for graduation and have met all the economics requirements for graduation?

Please call the Vancouver School of Economics, Undergraduate Student Support (604) 822-9699 or send an email to vse.undergrad@ubc.ca to book an advising appointment to see if the economic program requirements for graduation have been satisfied.

I'm an Arts Student. How do I apply to the Economics minor program?

If you are in the Faculty of Arts, you do not need to formally apply required for the Minor Program in Economics. Admission to the program is non-competitive. However, at least 24 of the 120 credits required for a BA must be in subjects or fields other than those of your minor or major; you may wish to consult to Arts Academic Advising to confirm this requirement.

As long as you have a major declared, you can add a minor by using the SSC to enter the appropriate code. The code for Arts students to add an economics minor is 3006.

I'm not in Arts. How do I apply to the Economics minor program?

If you are in the Sauder School of Business, Faculty of Applied Science (Engineering), or the Faculty of Science, you must complete a minor application form; there are separate forms for each Faculty.  Therefore, you should meet with your Undergraduate Advising office to obtain a copy of the appropriate form, and then submit it to the VSE for approval at vse.undergrad@ubc.ca.

For all other Faculties, you should consult with your Faculty advising office about the appropriate course of action

Is it possible to minor in Economics without taking ECON 301, 302, 325, or 326)?

Yes! It is possible to do a Minor in Economics without taking ECON 301 and ECON 302. Similarly, you can also do a Minor without taking ECON 325 and ECON 326.

Can ECON 310 and 311 count for the 18 credits of 300+ level Economics courses required for the minor?

No. ECON 310 and 311 are introductory courses similar to ECON 101 and 102. This means they do not count towards the 18 upper level (300+) courses required for the Minor. These courses count towards the 12 lower level (100-299) credit courses for the Minor in Economics, and are credit-excluded with ECON 101 and 102 respectively.

Can ECON 1st unspecified credit on my transcript count towards the Economics courses required for the minor?

No. Students cannot include Economics courses which do not have ECON 101 and ECON 102 or the equivalent as a prerequisite, which have been granted unassigned transfer credit (e.g. ECON 1st), in the 30 credits required for a Minor in Economics.

How do I enter the minor code on the Student Service Centre (SSC)?

If you are in the Faculty of Arts, and you have the major, you can enter the minor code. On the SSC, the Minor code for Economics is: 3006. If you are not in Arts, you should consult your Faculty advising office.

Is advising mandatory for Economics minor students?

No, but we recommend that students check their program of study to ensure that they complete all of:

1. their Economics Minor program requirements;
2. their intended major requirements;
3. any Faculty requirements for graduation.