Last Updated: March 18, 2021
Why get an economics degree from Canada?
Economics can be stated as the best way to manage resources which are scarce. This is a highly important field of study where jobs are plentiful, pay well. One of the best places in the world to complete a degree in economics in from Canada. Not only does the country have some universities whose economics courses are ranked among the best in the world, but it also offers a high quality of living at affordable rates.
Advantages Of Doing A Graduate Course In Economics From Canada
- Quality of Education: The quality of education offered by Canadian universities is extremely high. The best programs in the country make sure that their coursework is tailored to allow a student to truly understand the subject matter, understand its practice in the real world through internships with corporations and the government.
- Emphasis On Problem Solving: The coursework of the best is also tailored to prepare students with problem-solving abilities. This skill which widely sought after in the workplace provides a competitive edge to students from Canada.
- Mandatory Internships: Most universities have mandatory internships as a part of their coursework. This provides valuable real-world experience, literally allows you to prove yourself to a potential employer.
- High Quality Of Living: Unlike many other countries the cost of living in Canada is affordable i.e. even as a student you will be able to lead a high quality of life.
- High Employment: Thanks to the unique coursework which is followed in the country, finding employment after finishing the degree is relatively easy. Unlike other developed nations who are still undergoing a recession, Canada is still in a growth phase with a large number of jobs available for skilled people.
- High Safety: Considered one of the safest countries in the world, because people there are highly content with their lives, the amount of crime in the city is very little.
General Requirements/Application Procedure/Cost/Time Required
Application Procedure: The general application procedure is similar to that of the US and UK. An online application must first be finished and submitted along with a $50-$100 application fee. After submission of the form, all required details and hard copies of mark sheets must be submitted. Once admission is received, you need to apply for a student visa from a Canadian consulate in your country, get it approved before starting classes.
General Requirements: All of the best Canadian Universities require a high academic score during your undergraduate. While a minimum CGPA of 3.2+ is expected, most students who apply have outstanding CGPA's of >3.6. Other than transcripts as proof of the CGPA, also required are the GRE and TOEFL score sheets, original letters of recommendation from three professors, and at times a personal statement.
Cost & Time Period Of Study: Depending on the graduate program selected, it will take approximately 1-2 years to complete a Masters degree and 4-5- years to complete a PhD degree in Economics. The tuition costs vary according to the program, but the general cost varies between 8000 - 25000 dollars (excluding living expenses).
Top 5 Universities In Canada For Economics
University Of British Columbia
- The Vancouver school of economics in this University is ranked number one in Canada ranked in the top 25 in the world. With a focus on economic policy, theoretical and empirical economic fields, the university is known for its excellent research, world-class faculty and facilities.
- Undergraduate courses available: B.A. in economics
- The entry requirements for B.A. in economics include a high school graduation certificate. Additional documents that the university requires are as follows - a college transcript, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a CV, and financial documents.
- The English language requirements are either a TOEFL with a score of 90 overall or an IELTS with an overall score of 6.0, with no less than 5.5 in every element.
- The fees for the course is $30,000.
- Postgraduate courses available: M.A. in economics
- The entry requirements for an M.A. in economics include a four-year undergraduate certificate with a minimum of a B+ grade, especially in the last two years of the degree duration. Additionally, academic standing of a minimum of A+ grade in almost all subjects in the last two years of the college degree.
- The English language requirements have not been mentioned as of yet.
- The fees for the course is $45,000.
McGill University
- Consistently ranking as one of the best universities in the world to study it. The university offers both MA (thesis and non-thesis options) and Ph.D. degrees in economics, with a special focus on macro and microeconomics. The courses are taught by world leaders in the field of economics, and an emphasis is placed on developing student talent through a problem-based approach.
- Undergraduate courses available: B.Com. in economics and B.Sc in agricultural economics
- The entry requirements for B.Com. in economics and B.Sc in agricultural economics are different. The requirements for B.Com. in economics include a minimum grade of B+ in 10, 11, & 12, a B+ grade in English, an ACT score of 28, or an SAT score of 680 overall. Additional documents that the university requires are as follows - a college transcript, and letters of recommendation. The requirements of B.Sc in agricultural economics include submission of the following documents - a statement of purpose, a letter of recommendation, a CV, and most importantly academic certificates.
- The English language requirements are either a TOEFL with a score of 86 overall or an IELTS with an overall score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in every element.
- The fees for the course are different. The fees for B.Com in economics is $39,300; whereas the fees for B.Sc in agricultural economics is $34,200
- Postgraduate courses available: M.A. in economics
- The entry requirements for an M.A. in economics include a four-year undergraduate certificate with a minimum of a B+ grade, including an honors degree in the same. Additionally, students must have a GPA score of 3.0 or more in a field related to economics.
- The English language requirements are either a TOEFL with a score of 86 overall or an IELTS with an overall score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in every element.
- The fees for the course is $13,400.
University Of Montreal
- Ranked consecutively among the top 5 economics programs in Canada, this university is known for its high-quality research, and a curriculum which focuses on Theories of Finance and the Economic framework on which it is based. The University offers an MS, MA, and Ph.D. Degree.
- Undergraduate courses available: B.Sc. in economics
- The entry requirements for B.Sc. in economics include a high school graduation certificate. Additional documents that the university requires are a certification to prove their French language skills by submitting their grades for French at the college level or score at least 605 in the TFI exam.
- The fees for the course is $13,100.
- Postgraduate courses available: M.Sc. in economics
- The entry requirements for an M.Sc. in economics include a four-year undergraduate certificate with a minimum of a B+ grade. Furthermore, a GPA grade of 3.0 is desirable as well.
- The English language requirements have not been mentioned as of yet, but the student is expected to show a good understanding of English and French.
- The fees for the course is $19,600.
University of Toronto
- With a focus on core theory, economic methodologies, and applied data analysis, the department of economics at the University of Toronto is highly ranked worldwide and known for its excellent teachers, high-quality research.
- Undergraduate courses available: B.A. in economics and B.B.A in economics for management studies.
- The entry requirements for B.A. in economics and B.B.A in economics for management studies are different. The requirements for B.A. in economics include a high school degree with the subjects - Advanced Functions, Calculus & Vectors, and English. Furthermore, students need to have completed a minimum of 4.0 credits. Additional documents that the university requires are as follows - a college transcript, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a CV, and financial statements. The requirements of B.B.A. in economics for management studies include a high school degree with grades that are equivalent to the Canadian high school grading system and Grade 12 English course certification.
- The English language requirements are either a TOEFL with a score of 100 overall or an IELTS with an overall score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in every element.
- The fees for the courses are different. The fees for B.A. in economics is $45,000; whereas the fees for B.B.A in economics for management studies is $47,100.
- Postgraduate courses available: M.A. in economics
- The entry requirements for an M.A. in economics include a four-year undergraduate certificate with a minimum of a B+ grade, and the student must display a good standing in the following subjects - calculus, intermediate microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, and statistics. Moreover, students must have a GPA of 3.0 as well. Additional documents that the university requires are as follows - a college transcript, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a CV, and financial statements
- The English language requirements are either a TOEFL with a score of 100 overall or an IELTS with an overall score of 7.0, with no less than 6.5 in every element.
- The fees for the course is $20,300.
Queen's University
- Undergraduate courses available: B.A. in economics
- The entry requirements for B.A. in economics include a high school graduation certificate, with grades equivalent to at least 80%. Moreover, students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) degree, with English (ENG4U), three additional 4U or M courses, and a minimum average of 75% in mathematics.
- The English language requirements are either a TOEFL with a score of 88 overall or an IELTS with an overall score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in every element.
- The fees for the course is $17,400.
- Postgraduate courses available: M.Sc. in management
- The entry requirements for an M.Sc. in management include a four-year undergraduate certificate with a minimum of a B+ grade (or at least 65%) in a relevant field of economics. Additional documents that the university requires are as follows - a college transcript, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, a CV, and financial statements
- The English language requirements are either a TOEFL with a score of 100 overall or an IELTS with an overall score of 7.5, with no less than 7.0 in every element.
- The fees for the course is $9,700.