Please click Frequently Asked Questions for more information concerning the Application process
The University of Manitoba has both M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Economics with an enrolment of about 16 students in the M.A. and about 22 in the Ph.D. program. Both programs are kept relatively small and selective so that members of the department can give individual attention to the students.
Materials for you to consult are:
Financial Information| Economics Supplemental Regulations |
| Graduate Handbooklet |
| University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship |
Application for Admission: To ensure that you follow the proper application procedures, please take the time to read this page before you begin completing the on line program application.
How to Apply to the Economics Graduate Program at the University of Manitoba
Here you will find ...
Important considerations before you apply
a general description of the application process
a list of documents required in the application a note on the University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship application please see ourFAQ if you have more questions
Before you apply
While a four-year degree (Bachelors or equivalent) is required, admission to our graduate program is not limited to students whose undergraduate degrees are in Economics. However, students with insufficient background may be required to complete a year of preliminary studies before being admitted into the graduate program. Please see our graduate FAQ entries on 'pre masters' study.
Because we feel we can offer the best training and support to students whose areas of interest are related to our established research, we ask that potential applicants consider the research interests of a potential advisor/supervisor, and require that PhD applicants suggest a potential advisor as part of the application process. PhD students must choose a field among those listed under the PhD Program description. Unfortunately it is not possible for us to adequately oversee a research project in an area in which we offer no expertise. (Please note that at this time we do not offer any specialization at the PhD level in Monetary Economics, Finance, International Economics, nor any macroeconomic field).
International Students can find more general information on becoming a student at the University of Manitoba, by visiting the International Centre for Students. http://umanitoba.ca/student/ics/
The process
Admissions applications must be submitted directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) before 15 January for programs to begin the following September (Programs in Economics only begin in September). Applications, fee payments, and documents can now be submitted on line http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/admissions/ The Department may be able to consider applications that are not entirely complete by those dates, but missing documentation must be delivered as quickly as possible to FGS following the due date. Delays in document receipt could lead to extended delays in application assessment. The department makes a recommendation on admission to FGS. Admission is formally offered by FGS, which cannot act on any admissions decision unless and until all required documentation has been received and verified.
Making your application for admission involves submitting a number of required documents, including the online application form, transcripts from previous institutions, and letters of recommendation, as noted below.
Applications are reviewed by the department's Graduate Committee sometime after the 15 January deadline, depending on availability of documents and scheduling. Departmental recommendations are communicated to FGS, which will make its decision as soon as all the documentation has been processed. While formal admission can only be offered by FGS, the department will usually relay the decision of the committee to you by e-mail as soon as it is made. Admission is not granted until offered by FGS *and* accepted by the applicant.
Registration is completed with the advice of a graduate committee member. A schedule for registration will appear in the department by the door of the graduate Chair in August.
Applications for University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowships (discussed below) should be submitted through your on line application by January 15. http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/admissions/ All students are strongly encouraged to apply for a UMGF, as access to other awards (from the Faculty of Arts) is contingent on applying for a UMGF. See below.
The application documents
If you're experiencing technical difficulties with the online application, check out our paper application.
http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/admissions/paper_app2.html
Please note, however, that the paper application process is much slower than the online application.
Hard copy of the application materials are sent by the applicant to the Faculty of Graduate studies. As they are received, they are optically scanned and shared in-house by FGS and the Department of Economics. Supporting documents should be sent to:
Faculty of Graduate Studies
University of Manitoba
500 University Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba
CANADA R3T 2N2
The complete application package must include:
Completed the online Application for Admission (completed online preferred, although paper applications are available)
For PhD Students - A cover letter (statement of research interests), detailing your scholarly interests, outlining your plans for graduate study and indicating your preferred supervisor
For Master's Students -A cover letter (statement of research interests), detailing your scholarly interests, outlining your plans for graduate study
Official transcripts of academic record in a sealed and endorsed envelopes from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions attended*
THREE letters of reference http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/media/Letter_Support-Application.pdf (in sealed and endorsed envelopes) sent by scholars familiar with your work* Please note that there is now an option to have your referees submit their references on line through apply yourself.
For PhD students, a reasonably substantial sample of your English written work (e.g. a course paper or thesis chapter)**
The application fee, $100CAD in the form of a cheque drawn on a Canadian bank or an international money order (made out to the University of Manitoba)
A copy of birth certificate or passport proving identity and citizenship
Additional paperwork as required:
If any of your documents are under a different name, you must provide a notarized copy of marriage certificate or other official evidence indicating name change
If your native language is not English (or you have not received a degree from an institution in an exempted country), you must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/admissions/139.html (follow the link for more information regarding this requirement)
Neither the department nor FGS requires the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GMAT is not relevant to Economics.
*These may be sent by the applicant or directly from the issuing individuals/institutions, but must be in separately sealed and endorsed envelopes.
**The purpose of the written sample is to allow the admissions committee to evaluate your ability to write scholarly papers in English. If English original work is not available, translations must be provided.
The University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship
Deadline Date: January 15. Late applications will not be considered.
Scholarship funding is available through the UMGF on the basis of academic excellence. Academic standing: Students with a minimum GPA of 3.75 (above B+) in their last 60 credit hours or equivalent at a recognized university based on a Bachelor, Masters, Graduate Diploma or a Doctoral degree. You may apply for the UMGF through your on line application by visiting the additional requirements section and indicating your intention to apply for the UMGF. In order to be considered for the UMGF you must have uploaded all your transcripts and all program documents by January 15th. Please note that you no longer have to upload the UMGF application to this section.
Please visit the following link for International Degree Equivalency http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/admissions/equivalencies.html
Please note that several other competitions (for instance, for Faculty of Arts graduate awards) are available only to students who have applied for the UMGF.
Other funding opportunities may also be available. Applicants and students are encouraged to explore the resources listed with FGS (see the Funding and Awards area) http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/graduate_studies/funding/index.html for information on private, provincial and national competitions for scholarships/bursaries or research stipends. Internally, the University and the Faculty of Arts allow the student to apply for some travel reimbursements (for conferences, etc.), and small grant competitions (such as the Arts Endowment Fund). The Department usually has a limited number of RA/TA/marker-grader positions that are made available during the year. In addition, individual faculty may have opportunities for research assistants on individual or grant-supported projects. These are available only to students who have begun their programs, and cannot be offered or guaranteed before admission.
The Department of Economics does not accept students in the January session as the required Math and Theory courses start in September.
Deadlines
To enable our Department to meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies internal deadline dates for recommended applications, students must submit all application materials by the following dates to the University of Manitoba.
The deadlines for completed applications for September admission are as follows:
Please submit your on line UMConnect application, application fee, transcripts and other supporting documents (i.e. English Language Test Score, Birth Certificate, reference letters and research papers) directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies through the on line application system UMConnect, 500 University Centre, 65 Chancellors Circle, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 The Faculty of Graduate Studies will forward your application materials to our Department once all your materials have been received in their office.
SEPTEMBER ADMISSION:
January 15 for Non Canadian Students
May 1 for Canadian Students
Canadian Students applying for Departmental financial assistance
should apply by January 15.
Reference Letter Forms:
Please ask three referees (not just two as indicated on the University of Manitoba admission form), to write a letter assessing your ability to do graduate work and have them send the letter directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. You will also have the option through UMConnect to have your referees send their reference letters on line.
Financial Assistance
In order to be considered for financial assistance as well as admission, please ensure that all documents are submitted on line by January 15. This is not only helpful to us but will ensure that we can make an early decision and that your application will be considered before our funds are fully committed. We cannot consider your application until all the documents have been received. All appointments are subject to the C.U.P.E.. (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Collective Agreement and therefore are open to competition. Those applying must also complete an application as required in the Agreement.
Students who receive Teaching Assistantships are expected to be on campus by the end of the normal registration period (the last week in August). A workshop for Teaching Assistants will be conducted in early September by the Department’s Teaching Committee.
Non-Canadian applicants whose mother tongue is other than English must present acceptable evidence of proficiency in English (e.g., results from English Language Test Score, University of Michigan English Language Examination, etc.). Applications without such evidence will not be considered. Please visit the following link for a list of acceptable English Language test scores.
Should you desire a University of Manitoba General Calendar, the undergraduate calendar is available online at http://webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/calendar09/. The graduate calendar for Economics is also online here.
The International Centre for Students, 541 University Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2, provides advice for overseas students. They can be contacted by phone at 204-474-8501, email at ics@cc.umanitoba.ca or through their web page: http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/ics/
Information about accommodation on and off campus is available from the Director of Housing and Conference Services, 415 University Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST Monday through Friday, phone (204) 474-9717 or toll-free for Manitoba residents 1-800-432-1960 (extension 9717). Their web page address is: http://umanitoba.ca/student/housing/
We trust that this information will answer your questions. If you have further questions about graduate study in Economics, please do not hesitate to contact:
Economics Graduate Studies Committee
c/o Betty McGregor, Administrative Assistant