PhD in Economics

Our PhD program is research focused and trains students in economic theory, econometrics, and specialized fields. Our faculty and students are active researchers in a variety of applied microeconomics fields, macroeconomics, and econometrics. The University of Alberta hosts a Statistics Canada Research Data Centre, which provides secure access to Canadian census and administrative databases, as well as population, social, and health surveys.

Job placements for recent graduates.

Admissions

  • Equivalent of a Masters degree in Economics with a GPA of at least 3.2 on the University of Alberta 4-point grading scale over all Masters level Economics courses.  
  • Applicants do not require a secured supervisor to apply for the program. Upon admission into the program, students will be assigned an academic supervisor.

  • English Language Proficiency
      • International applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 92 with a minimum band score of 21. The minimum overall score on the IELTS is 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each band.
      • The ELP requirement may be waived if the student’s country or institution is exempt (ELP Exemptions) or with a letter from the institution confirming the medium of instruction is 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 GREs. The Department prefers a score of over 80% in the quantitative section.
    • Both scores and percentages must be uploaded to the application before the application deadline.
    • The GRE is not a substitute for the English language test. The GRE requirement will not be waived and no substitutions will be accepted.

  • Applications are open September 1 through January 15 each year for the following September. Complete applications must be submitted by midnight (MT), January 15.
  • 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.
    • GRE for applicants obtaining their most recent degree from institutions outside Canada
    • CV
    • Research Proposal
    • 3 letters of reference (minimum 2 academic references)
  • The Department of Economics will not waive the application fee set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
  • First round admission decisions will be made by February 15 and are accessed 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.
  • All admitted students will receive funding of at least $28,000 per year for the first 4 years. The department will send funding offers separately to the email provided on the application. 

Program at a Glance

  • Year 1: Two courses in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, either two Econometrics or two electives
  • Year 2: Graduate Research Workshop, two electives, either 2 econometrics or two electives, begin third year research paper
  • Year 3: Completion and presentation of third year paper, completion of candidacy exam
  • Year 4: Intensive thesis research
  • Year 5 or 6: Job market preparation

Funding and Awards

  • All students admitted into the PhD program receive funding of at least $28,000, comprised of departmental teaching and research assistantships and scholarships.
  • A full-time assistantship requires students work 12 hours per week.
  • International students are required to submit to the Department a copy of their study permit and SIN before payment of the assistantship can be authorized.

  • 4 scholarships available exclusively to graduate students in the Department of Economics.
    • AD O'Brien Graduate Scholarship in Public Finance
    • John Garrett Graduate Scholarship in United States Studies
    • Maurice, Mary & Max Stewart Graduate Scholarship 
    • Maya and Mangesh Murdeshwar Graduate Award 
  • Inter-departmental scholarships students may apply for are found at GPS Awards. Students will be notified by the Graduate Advisor to submit completed applications in the form of a single PDF per award to econgrad@ualberta.ca.
  • All PhD students are required to apply for a SSHRC Doctoral Scholarship, worth $40,000

Applications open
September 1 – January 15 for Fall Admissions

Begin your Application

Contact: econgrad@ualberta.ca