The M.A. program in Economics at UBC owes its strength to the quality of its research faculty, opportunities for intensive training in theoretical and applied work, and a diverse offering of specializations.
The 12-month M.A. program is designed to prepare students for employment in the public or private sector, or to pursue further studies in a Ph.D. program. Recent graduates have taken positions at the Bank of Canada, the Department of Finance, Statistics Canada, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers and numerous other organizations. Those looking to pursue a Ph.D. in economics have gone on to studies at Berkeley, Michigan, Minnesota, Princeton, Stanford, UCLA, as well as our own Ph.D. program!
Each year we typically admit about 50 students to our program. As a result we are able to offer training in a wide range of theoretical, empirical, and policy-related fields. Students may also take advantage of courses offered through The Institute for Advanced Studies in Economics, a collaborative teaching and research initiative by the Vancouver School of Economics and the Strategy and Business Economics division at the Sauder School of Business.
Virtually all of our research faculty hold grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and other funding agencies, resulting in numerous opportunities for experience as research assistants for our M.A. students. The School houses the Centre for Labour Studies and manages the British Columbia Inter-University Research Data Centre. Hence, unique training opportunities and access to data and computing resources are available to our students.
The School has its own computer lab for the exclusive use of our graduate students. The School lounge offers a comfortable space to chat with colleagues and faculty over coffee, and for study groups to meet to analyze and work out issues of debate in depth. The UBC Library collection numbers over one million volumes. In terms of economics material, the holdings are particularly extensive in serial publications and the post-war literature.
The Graduate Student Centre, of which all graduate students are members, is nearby and has facilities for social activities. In addition, the School holds regular social activities during the year. These include the Grad Student Welcome Party in September, and the School’s Holiday Party in December! Members of our School also take part in activities such as intramural sports and the annual 10km Vancouver Sun Run.
We invite you to explore our website and learn more about what our M.A. program, the Vancouver School of Economics, the thriving academic environment at UBC, and the stunning, cosmopolitan city of Vancouver can all offer to you.