Undergraduate degrees and grading systems differ widely across countries. Because of this, UBC’s Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Vancouver School of Economics recommend that applicants meet the basic entrance requirements listed here. A record that satisfies basic entrance requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission is awarded to only the most qualified applicants.
Successful applicants to the M.A. program typically have a strong undergraduate academic record, especially in economic theory, statistics, and econometrics, with at least one year of calculus. Additional study of calculus and linear algebra is strongly advised.
Specific course requirements:
- a two-semester course in Intermediate Microeconomics (equivalent to ECON 301 and 303 at UBC): knowledge of consumer theory, producer theory, general equilibrium and welfare theorems, perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, externalities, public goods, risk and uncertainty, game theory, adverse selection, moral hazard, auctions.
- a one-semester course in Intermediate Macroeconomics (equivalent to ECON 302 at UBC): knowledge of income and employment theory, economic growth, monetary economics, the open economy, business cycle theory, intertemporal choice theory, choice under uncertainty.
- a two-semester course in Statistics and Econometrics (equivalent to ECON 325 and 326 at UBC): knowledge of descriptive statistics, probability, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance, simple and multiple regression, time series analysis, and simultaneous equation estimation.
- a two-semester course in Calculus (equivalent to MATH 104 and 105 at UBC): knowledge of derivatives and rates of change, partial derivatives, exponential and trigonometric functions, Newton’s method, Taylor series, graphing, anti-derivatives, the definite integral, techniques of integration, maxima and minima with constraints, discrete and continuous random variables.
Students who are not familiar with the material in the first twelve chapters of Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics, by Alpha C. Chiang and Kevin Wainwright, may have some difficulty with the first few weeks of the program. It has been our experience that students find an undergraduate level course in linear algebra extremely useful, particular in the econometrics course. While linear algebra is not a stated prerequisite, we suggest that you either take such a course or, at least, obtain an introductory textbook and work through it.
If you have questions email them to econ.grad@ubc.ca; please do not call or fax. During the very busy application period (January to March), the turn-around time for emails is about 5 to 6 business days. Please be patient – all emails will be answered.