The application portal opens on November 15th and closes on January 31st.
Learn more about the graduate studies application process and how to apply.
Successful applicants will normally have an Honours Bachelor degree in Economics or its equivalent. The university requires entering Master’s students to have maintained a B+ average in courses (relevant to the Master’s program they are entering) during the final two years of their undergraduate programs.
- Please note: If you have a three-year undergraduate degree, it will not be equivalent to an Honours BA. You are advised to take a year of fourth year courses or a one-year MA and then consider applying again. If you do to choose to apply with a three-year there is no guarantee of admission.
In addition to the regular requirements of the Graduate School, applicants must have, at minimum:
- Two courses in microeconomics theory beyond introductory economics
- Two courses in macroeconomic theory beyond introductory economics
- A university calculus course
- One upper-level (third-year or above) university statistics or econometrics course, with econometrics preferred
However, a minor in Economics may also be acceptable, as the program is open to students who do not have an economics major but who have sufficient training in economics, mathematics and statistics (e.g., students with a minor in economics).
In order for your online application to be considered complete, please ensure the following items have been uploaded prior to submission:
- Letters of reference
- Scanned copies of official transcripts – official transcripts are required only when offer has been made and accepted.*
- Policy statement
- Statement of interest
- CV (curriculum vitae)
- Fee payment
- English proficiency requirements (if applicable). Originals sent directly to the Department of Economics.*
A student whose native language is not English, and who has not completed an English-language degree in a predominantly English-speaking country, must submit a TOEFL or IELTS (Academic) score. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for the Dept of Economics is 580 (237 on the computerized exam; 92 iBT); the minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each category.
*If your transcript states the medium of instruction was English or you submit a letter with your application from the University stating your medium of instruction was English then that will waive your ELP requirement and a test result will not be required.
Please note if you submit a score lower than 6.5, your application will not be reviewed. It is imperative that you meet the testing requirements noted above.
Two Letters of Reference
Applicants are required to provide the names and contact information of two academic references. These references are to come from instructors most familiar with your academic work. Referees will be contacted via our electronic referencing system, references uploaded by the applicant will not be accepted. If a referee is unable to use the electronic referencing system they may email to econgrd@mcmaster.ca.
Academic Transcripts
Applicants must provide one official transcript of academic work completed to date once offer has been accepted sent directly from the issuing institution.
Policy Statement
Applicants must submit a policy statement that is a maximum of two pages single-spaced (one inch margins, 12pt font) and that includes the following three components:
- A concise statement of the policy issue
- A description of how economic analysis might contribute to addressing the policy issue
- A statement of how you anticipate that the skills and knowledge gained through the Masters program will enable you to conduct an economic analysis of the policy issue
The statement should include your full name so that we can match it to the rest of your application.
Statement of Interest
All applicants must provide a one-page statement (12pt font, single-space, one inch margins) explaining why you would like to pursue the MA in Economics at McMaster University.