Application Process

In addition to the academic requirements identified in the program categories, the following requirements must also be met:


English Language Proficiency

International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. Applicants must upload the proficiency test results to their application. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is 92 with a minimum band score of 21. The minimum overall score on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each band.

The English language requirement may be waived if the students country or institution is exempt (please refer to ELP Exemptions) or with a letter from the students institution confirming the medium of instruction was English.

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

Applicants whose most recent degree is from an institution outside Canada are required to complete the verbal, quantitative and analytical sections of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). The examinations should be written early enough for scores to be available to be included in the online application before the application deadline. Both scores and percentages must be posted. The Department prefers minimum score of 80% below in the quantitative section of the exam to be considered eligible for our programs. No substitutions for the GRE (such as GMAT) will be accepted. The GRE is not a substitute for the English language test. The GRE requirement will not be waived. Do not forward GRE test scores to the Department. Scores are to be uploaded to the application only.

Applications

We offer one intake per year only for the following fall (September admission). Applications are open September 1 through February 1 each year. For consideration for September admission, complete applications must be submitted by midnight (MT), February 1.

Apply Here

Complete applications include:

  • All transcripts in original language and official English translation
  • All degree certificates in original language and official English translation
  • English language test results or letter confirming language of instruction as applicable. Refer to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies  webpage.
  • GRE for all applicants obtaining their most recent degree from institutions outside Canada
  • CV
  • 3 letters of reference (minimum 2 academic references)
  • Research proposal for doctoral applicants.  The research statement should be 1-2 pages and include the following types of information. 
      • A brief description of the applicant.  Why you want to complete further research in Economics? What are your strengths? How does a PhD in Economics align with your career goals?
      •  A short research proposal.  What are you going to research? Why is this topic interesting and important? How do you propose to conduct this research?

We do not require a personal statement or letter of intent as part of our application.

The Department of Economics will not waive the application fee set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. For more information click here.

Application Decisions and Notifications

Applicants may track the status of their application via the Applicant Portal. Admission decisions will be made by the end of February. Applicants are notified of the admission decision via the Portal. Applicants must accept or decline the offer via the Portal. Once the applicant has accepted the offer of admission, the Department will contact the student with specific program and course registration information.

The offer of admission does not include offers of funding. The Department will send funding offers separately to the top ranked applicants to the email provided on the application. Funds are extremely limited and offered on a competitive basis to relatively few students.

Upon recommendation of the Application Review Committee, a student with a strong application who is not yet fully qualified to enter the Master's program, may be offered admission as a qualifying student. The applicant will then be required to complete 8 advanced level undergraduate Economics courses. Upon successful completion with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 the student will be transferred to the Master of Arts program. There is no application to be a qualifying student - this is upon recommendation by the Review Committee only. Qualifying students are not eligible for funding.

Please direct inquiries regarding the graduate program in Economics to econgrad@ualberta.ca.