Applicants are normally expected to hold a Master’s degree in economics. However, students with outstanding records in undergraduate honours programs in economics may be admitted directly; such students should have demonstrated success in intermediate and upper-level undergraduate courses in economic theory, mathematics, statistics and econometrics. All applicants are expected to have demonstrated ability to undertake advanced studies and independent research.
Deadlines for September Admission
Admission to the Ph.D. program is only possible for commencement of studies in September of each academic year; commencement in January is not possible. The deadline for submission of the online application form is January 15 each year. The deadline for receipt of all original and official supporting documents is January 31 each year. No exceptions to the January 15 and 31 deadlines are made.
Note: The application for admission is also considered an application for financial aid; a separate application is not required. The financial aid process is competitive, and awards are made to a small, select group of applicants. We anticipate that we cannot offer financial aid to a large number of otherwise qualified applicants. Therefore, we ask you to take this into consideration before submitting an application, which requires considerable expenditure of money and effort.
Checklist
In order for your application to be considered complete, it must include the following items:
- official academic records
- confidential letters of reference
- English proficiency requirements (if applicable)
- GRE scores (if applicable)
- immigration documents (if applicable)
- online application form
- application fee
The following is a step-by-step guide to the application process.
Step 1: Academic Records
Two sets of academic records are required from all universities, colleges (including DEC programs), and post-secondary institutions previously and currently attended (regardless of whether a degree was obtained or not). If the official transcript does not indicate the degree name and the degree conferral date, then two official copies of the degree certificate are required.
Applicants from an university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language must arrange to have academic records issued in their original language, accompanied by certified English translations from the issuing university. English translations must be complete, literal translations of the original documents. (English translations of transcripts from Quebec’s French universities are not necessary.) Detailed information on how to submit international transcripts, degree certificates, and translations is available by clicking here.
All original, official transcripts and degree certificates must be received by the School in university envelopes, sealed and endorsed by the Registrar of the issuing university.
All academic records submitted in support of an application become the property of UBC and cannot be returned.
Official, original academic records are to be sent to:
Graduate Studies
Vancouver School of Economics
The University of British Columbia
#997 – 1873 East Mall
Vancouver, BC
Canada, V6T 1Z1
Note: We require your Fall semester grades. Please ensure that they are listed on your original, official transcripts.
Step 2: Letters of Reference
Three confidential, academic letters of reference are required. 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 letter online or by mail. Letters sent by email or fax are not acceptable.
Step 3: English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants from an university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. An English language proficiency examination is not required if an applicant’s university of graduation is from one of the following countries: Canada, U.S.A., Great Britain, The Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, British West Indies, Singapore. Tests must have been taken 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. The following English language proficiency examinations are acceptable.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum TOEFL score required is 80 for the internet-based exam and 550 for the paper-based exam. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable. UBC accepts either (a) an official paper score report sent directly to the university from the testing centre, or (b) electronic submission of official scores. Please ensure that you include the following on the TOEFL sheet: (1) use the University of British Columbia’s institution code 0965, and (2) give the reason for taking TOEFL “to enter a college or university as a graduate student”.
International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). A minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component of the academic (not general) IELTS test. An official test score report sent from the testing agency directly to the Vancouver School of Economics is required.
Pearson Test of English (PTE). A minimum overall score of 59 on the academic (not general) test is required. An official test score report sent from the testing agency directly to the Vancouver School of Economics is required.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL). A minimum overall score of 60 is required. An official test score report sent from the testing agency directly to the Vancouver School of Economics is required.
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). A minimum score of 4L for each component of the academic (not general) test is required. An official test score report sent from the testing agency directly to the Vancouver School of Economics is required.
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). A minimum overall MELAB score of 81 is required. An official test score report sent from the testing agency directly to the Vancouver School of Economics is required.
Alternative English Language Proficiency Test. The GCE “A” level English exam with a standing of at least “B”. The applicant must arrange to forward a copy of their official score report to our School directly from Cambridge International Examinations.
Step 4: Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The GRE (General) is required for all applicants except those graduating from a Canadian university. The GRE is optional for applicants graduating from Canadian universities.
A minimum score of 156 or higher in the Quantitative section is required.
The GRE must have been written in the last 2 years. Score reports that are more than two years old are not accepted. A photocopy of your GRE test scores is acceptable at the time of application. We must receive official scores directly from ETS before commencement of the M.A. program. The UBC institution code is 0965.
Note that we require your scores on the GRE and not the GMAT. Scores on the GMAT are not a substitue for GRE scores.
Step 5: Immigration Documents
Permanent Residents of Canada are required to provide proof of immigration status and date of landing. Submit a photocopy of the Record of Landing Form or a photocopy of both the front and back of your Permanent Resident card to the address given above.
Step 6: Application Form and Application Fee
Application Form: All applicants must complete the University’s application form. Please click here to go to the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ online application website.
Application Fee: Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The fee is $94.75 for domestic students, $153.00 for international students (in Canadian dollars). Applications will not be processed without the application fee.
The application fee is waived only for applicants who are citizens of, and whose correspondence address is located in, one of the world’s 50 least developed countries, as declared by the United Nations. A list of these countries is available at the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Waivers are made in no other circumstances.
The Decision Process
Once a complete application is received, it will be considered by the School’s Admissions Committee for acceptance into the Ph.D. program for September of that year.
All applications are acknowledged by email; therefore, it is not necessary for applicants to contact the department inquiring about the status of the application, and/or whether supporting documents have been received.
All inquiries regarding applications must be made by email to econ.grad@ubc.ca; please do not call or fax. During the very busy application period (January to April), the turn-around time for email is about 5 to 6 business days. Please be patient; all emails will be answered.
Applicants are notified of round one admission offers in early- to mid-March, with subsequent rounds of offers until June.