Economics Schools and Programs in Canada

Economics Studies in Canada

Economics studies how societies produce, distribute and consume goods and services, and how individuals, firms and governments make decisions with limited resources. At Canadian universities it is usually a subject within a Bachelor of Arts, taken as a major, an honours programme or a minor, and some universities also offer it within a Bachelor of Commerce. Degrees rest on two strands of theory, microeconomics and macroeconomics, supported by mathematics, statistics and econometrics.

SpainExchange lists 20 schools in Canada for economics, in every part of the country. They include large research universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University in Montreal, the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Queen's University in Kingston, the University of Calgary and the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, and smaller universities such as Mount Allison University in Sackville, the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in Charlottetown and Saint Mary's University in Halifax.

How economics degrees are organised in Canada

The provincial and territorial governments are responsible for education, so there is no single national curriculum; each university defines its own degree options. Some examples:

• University of Manitoba: a three-year BA General (90 credit hours) and four-year BA Advanced and BA Honours degrees (120 credit hours); the honours degree is the preferred route to graduate studies
• McGill University: major, minor and honours programmes; the majors are more flexible and less mathematical, the honours programmes more mathematical
• UBC: BA programmes (majors, honours and minors) and a direct-entry Bachelor of International Economics at the Vancouver School of Economics
• Saint Mary's University: a major or honours in economics within a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Commerce, with a co-op option
• Mount Allison University: Bachelor of Arts (major or honours), Bachelor of Commerce and a minor
• UPEI: a major that requires 54 semester hours in economics and mathematics

The core is similar everywhere. The UPEI major, for example, is built on introductory and intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, economic methodology and an introduction to econometrics, plus electives. Field courses then apply the theory to areas such as environmental, health, international and labour economics, public policy or financial markets.

Master's degrees and doctorates

Universities with larger departments also teach at graduate level. McGill and UBC offer M.A. and Ph.D. programmes in economics. Carleton University in Ottawa offers an M.Sc. in Economics that takes one to two years, by coursework or thesis and with an internship option, and a joint Ph.D. with the University of Ottawa through the Ottawa-Carleton Graduate School of Economics. Carleton normally asks for a four-year honours bachelor's degree in economics, or the equivalent, with an average of B+ or higher for the master's, and for a master's degree in economics for the doctorate. Its deadline for autumn admission is 1 February.

Admission and language

Each university sets its own admission requirements and has its own system for assessing credentials from other countries. International students must prove their English or French skills; English-language universities may ask for the TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English or CAEL tests, and French-language universities assess students individually. University programmes are offered in English or French, and some universities are bilingual. Because economics relies on mathematics, applicants should check the mathematics prerequisites of each programme.

Study permit and work

International students must apply for and be approved for a study permit before they arrive in Canada. According to EduCanada, the Government of Canada's study portal (page modified 23 April 2026), the application needs a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (in Quebec, a Quebec Acceptance Certificate; some exceptions apply), proof of identity and proof of financial support. Many post-secondary international students may work up to 24 hours per week off campus while classes are in session. After graduating, some can stay and work with a post-graduation work permit, depending on the institution and the programme.

Costs

Tuition fees vary by region, programme and university. EduCanada gives these averages for Canada (Statistics Canada, 2026):

• International undergraduate students: CAD 41,746 per year
• International graduate students: CAD 24,028 per year
• Living costs: a budget of at least CAD 23,000 per year

Careers

Economics graduates work in government, policy and research organisations, financial companies, international business, labour unions and private firms, according to the University of Manitoba. Saint Mary's University notes that economists take part in setting government policy and, in the private sector, contribute to market research, evaluate mergers and assess tax policy. Students who want to work as professional economists or in research usually continue to a master's degree.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an economics degree take in Canada?

It depends on the university and the degree type. At the University of Manitoba, the BA General takes three years and the BA Advanced and BA Honours take four. A master's such as Carleton's M.Sc. in Economics takes one to two years.

What is the difference between a major and an honours degree?

An honours degree is more specialised and more demanding. McGill describes its honours programmes as more mathematical than its majors, and the University of Manitoba calls honours the preferred programme for students who plan graduate studies.

How much does it cost to study economics in Canada as an international student?

EduCanada gives an average tuition of CAD 41,746 per year for international undergraduates and CAD 24,028 for international graduate students (Statistics Canada, 2026), plus at least CAD 23,000 per year for living costs.

Do I need to speak French?

No, unless you choose a French-language programme. Universities teach in English or French, and you must prove your skills in the language of your programme.