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FAQs: Master of Arts in Economics

Admission Requirements

Master's Candidate (M2) program:

Previous 4-year undergraduate honours in Economics or the equivalent that includes:

  • Advanced Microeconomics
  • Advanced Macroeconomics
  • Intermediate Microeconomics 
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • At least Introductory Econometrics
  • At least one course University level Calculus
  • At least one course University level Linear Algebra
  • At least one course University level Statistics

Missing prerequisites? 

We offer a one-year qualifying program. Upon successful completion of the Master's Qualifying (M1) program, students will be promoted to the Master's Candidate (M2) program.

Master's Qualifying (M1) program:

Previous 3-year undergraduate degree in Economics or in a related field that includes all of these courses listed below:

  • Introductory Microeconomics
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Introductory Macroeconomics
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • At least one course University level Calculus
  • At least one course University level Linear Algebra
  • At least one course University level Statistics

Note: Applicants will submit a single application that will be considered for both the M2 and M1 programs.

Minimum cgpa of 70% (or equivalent*) on the last two years of full-time study.

* This webpage has some grade equivalencies.  If your country is not on the list, email the Graduate Secretary at economics@uwindsor.ca.

For applicants whose native language is not English, a satisfactory score on an English proficiency test is required.  Students must have a valid English Language test score on the first day of classes for the term they are beginning.

  • Minimum TOEFL: IBT-83
  • Minimum IELTS: 6.5, Academic Version
  • Minimim Pearson: 65
  • Minimum Duolingo English: 120 overall
  • Minimum CAEL: 60 overall

Applicants are exempt from submitting an English language proficiency examination score if any one of the following conditions is true: 

  1. Within the past two years you have completed a university degree at a Canadian institution.
  2. Within the past two years you have completed a university degree at an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, as indicated on our exemption list*

Application Process & Required Documents

Fall intake only

We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2025 intake. The application deadline for both domestic and international students is May 1, 2025.

Applications are made online at UWS - Graduate Application System, using the preferred browser, MS Edge.  Please visit ask.UWindsor for application instructions.

The cost to apply is $125 CAD, and the application fee cannot be waived.  The online application is operated by the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC).  It is not operated by the Economics department or by the University of Windsor.  Please send any questions you have about on-line applications or problems that you encounter with the online application to the OUAC via their website or to  gradadmit@uwindsor.ca  .  Documents and references are uploaded to the application website, not to Economics. 

2 Confidential Reports (References)

 

The University of Windsor will contact each of the references listed on your application via email and will provide them with a link and deadline (approximately 3 weeks) to submit the reference. 

  • After the deadline, the link expires. 
  • To reactivate the reference link, the applicant should email the Economics Graduate Secretary or apply@uwindsor.ca.
  • Applicants can not submit their own confidential reports/references because these are confidential.

Academic references from former or current professors are strongly preferred but employer references are acceptable if you have been out of school for some time.  Please do not list more than 2 references because your application will not be reviewed by Economics until all the listed references are submitted.

Applicants are notified via email if a reference is submitted for their application but cannot access the confidential report.

Unofficial Transcript(s)

One transcript from each university/college/post-secondary institution that you have listed on the application form is required. The transcript(s) should include the grading scale/legend used by the institution issuing the transcript.

  • If the transcript shows that credits were transferred from another institution to contribute to your current degree, then the transcript from the other university will be required as well.
  • If the transcripts are not in English, you must upload 1 official English translation for each non-English transcript that is uploaded.
  • If you have attended the University of Windsor, you do not need to order an official University of Windsor transcript.

Final official documents will be required before the end of the first semester if admission is offered.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

For applicants whose native language is not English, a satisfactory score on an English proficiency test is required.  Please note that the test result must be valid at the beginning of the term of admission.

  • TOEFL: 83/120 overall score, not the best score number
  • IELTS: 6.5 Academic version only
  • Duolingo English: 120 overall
  • MELAB: 80 overall
  • CAEL: 60 overall

Applicants are exempt from submitting an English language proficiency examination score if any one of the following conditions is true:

  • Within the past two years you have completed a university degree at a Canadian institution
  • Within the past two years you have completed a university degree at an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, as indicated on our exemption list*

Please do not submit any additional documents as they will not be reviewed, and will not impact your admission. Please do not submit any of these additional items as listed below.

  • GRE
  • GMAT
  • letters of intent
  • resumes and/or CVs
  • personal statements
  • writing samples, etc. are not required.

Entrance test and interviews are not required and not given by the Department of Economics.

Yes. If you are currently finishing a degree program you may apply for admission if you feel that your transcript provides a sufficient picture of your academic abilities. Most applicants wait until their transcript shows at least first semester grades of their final year to submit their transcript.

If admission is offered, it will include the condition that you must provide your final transcript and degree certificate, showing that you have successfully completed your current studies, have maintained the minimum required GPA for admission to the program (70% or equivalent) and have completed all of the requirements to graduate from your current undergraduate program.

Program Specifics

Brief course descriptions are listed in the Graduate Calendar.

Master's Qualifying (M1) Students: 8 courses

   Fall Term:

   Winter Term:
  • 4 courses
  • Connect with the Graduate Advisor to determine the appropriate courses.
  • 4 courses
  • Connect with the Graduate Advisor to determine the appropriate courses.

Students who successfully complete all eight M1 courses will be promoted to the M2 year. 

Please note: if a graduate student’s overall CGPA falls below 70%, they will normally be required to withdraw from the program for a minimum of one year.

 

Master's Candidate (M2) Students: 8 courses

   Fall Term:

   Winter Term:
  • 4 courses
  • Connect with the Graduate Advisor to determine the appropriate courses.
  • 4 courses
  • Connect with the Graduate Advisor to determine the appropriate courses.

Please note: if a graduate student’s overall CGPA falls below 70%, they will normally be required to withdraw from the program for a minimum of one year.

Students who successfullly complete the M2 year typically graduate at Spring Convocation.  However, students who complete a make-up course or Major Paper over the Summer term will be eligible to graduate at Fall Convocation.

To learn more about academic advising, please visit the Academic Advising page.

Financial Matters

Upon acceptance of an offer of admission to the MA Economics program, a deposit of $2,000 is required. Please refer to the information on deposits included with your offer.

 

Using the Tuition Fee Estimator, you can determine the tuition fee per term, based upon the information you enter.  Incidental Fees such as Health Insurance and Drug/Dental Coverage are charged in addition to base tuition fees, depending on your citizenship and other factors. You will see these listed on the Fee Estimator after you enter your information. Some incidental fees are charged once per year, or per course.  The fee estimator does not include textbooks.

For the M.A. in Economics program, please input these details into the estimator:

Program Type:

  • Graduate

Major or Degree:

  • Master of Arts - Economics M1, or
  • Master of Arts - Economics (this is the M2 year)

Course Load:

  • full-time

To obtain the exact fees you owe for the current term, please go to UWinsite Student.

An estimated cost for textbooks is $300 - $400 per term. The University of Windsor Campus Bookstore has a "Find Your Textbooks" tool available on their website. If the textbook is not listed there, you may contact your professor via email to ask them what textbook(s) they will require for their course(s). Economics faculty contacts are listed online here: Department of Economics - Faculty.

UWindsor Resources:

Other External Resources:

  • The Universities Canada web site contains useful tips and tools for international students planning to study in Canada, as well as a searchable database for scholarship programs for all students pursuing post secondary education.
  • The Government of Canada International Scholarship Program web site lists  Canadian scholarship programs for non-Canadians wishing to study and conduct research in Canada.
  • The Scholarships Canada database is an extensive database to find scholarships, bursaries and grants. You'll also find information about student loans, applications and budget planning. 

Graduate Asistantships:

Please visit the Department of Economics GA/TA Opportunites page for more information.

Support Services

To prepare for your arrival in Canada, please review the International Student Centre's Soft Landing Program for new international student arrivals.  

In addition, the International Student Centre (ISC) at UWindsor provides a wide range of support services and resources to assist new international students, including:

  • General inquiries related to International Student Services and supports
  • Questions about Green Shield coverage
  • Study Permit, VISA and Immigration questions
  • Tax questions

The University of Windsor offers dozens of student support services, from study skills workshops to counselling to special needs accommodations. 

The Student Counselling Centre (SCC) is a space where registered students can access confidential mental health services at no additional cost to them.  Graduate students may wish to request an appointment with the Graduate Students Clinical Counsellor, Dr. Suzanne Brown, or choose to connect with another available member of the counselling team. 

To learn more about the programs and services available to support your success both inside and outside of the classroom, visit the Office of Student Experience. 

To learn more about the services and programs to support over 5,000 UWindsor international students, scholars, and their family members from over 92 different countries, visit the International Student Centre.

Questions?