Economics (Desautels Faculty of Management)

How do societies decide what to produce, how much of each commodity to produce, and how consumption patterns vary over time? How do individuals make decisions on how much to save and how the savings are invested?  

What determines prices, exchange rates, interest rates and the level of inflation? How does the globalization of the Canadian economy affect various sectors of the Canadian economy? As a McGill Economics student, you will learn about these and many other issues central to the wellbeing of societies. 

Studying Economics is an excellent way to develop your quantitative ability, abstract reasoning, and knowledge of important features of the way the world works. Available as both a Major and an Honour, Economics offers a flexible curriculum where students can focus on theory. The Honours program in Economics is a challenging program with a strong mathematical component. 

• Canadian citizenship or Canadian permanent residency
• 23 years of age or older by the start of classes (21 years of age for the Faculties of Management and Music)
• No high school, college or university level studies within the last five years that would constitute a basis for admission
• Two letters of reference
• Mature Student Statements:
  • Letter of Intent, including description of all educational experiences
  • Complete resume of employment and other activities, highlighting points relevant to the application
• In some cases, an interview may be required
• Demonstrate academic potential by successfully completing a minimum number of specific courses (see 'Minimum grades & prerequisites' below) within the three-year period prior to admission and no later than May 15th of the year of application for the intended program (May 1 for some programs). These courses, which may be completed at CEGEP or university, will also fulfill prerequisites for the intended program. 

Although careers in business and finance are common with a background in economics, you can also find a future in law, government, non-profits, international relations, academia, and more. You'll gain important transferable skills in analysis and problem solving that will open doors to many careers after graduation.  

You could become a professional: 

• Economist  
• Data Analyst 
• Accounting Clerk 
• Management Consultant 
• Economic Researcher 

1. Know your deadlines.

   Mark your calendar with these important dates regarding your application. 

2. Decide what to study.

   Use the program finder tool to explore over 300 undergraduate programs and find your best match. 

3. Make sure you're eligible.

   Admission to most programs is based on grades only. In this step, you'll find:
   • How your academic record is reviewed
   • The grades that gained entrance to your program in previous years
   • The prerequisites for your program

4. Get ready to apply.

   As of October 1, you can apply. Complete each step of the pre-application to-do list, including:

   • Understand the deadlines that apply to you
   • Prepare your academic documents
   • Identify supporting documents you'll need to provide

5. Submit your application.

   Review our tips on how to apply and see what the application fees will be. Remember that you can apply to two programs.

6. Apply for an entrance scholarship.

   Look into entrance scholarships early! The deadline is usually a week after your application deadline. This page provides information about entrance scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities.

7. Submit documents and keep in touch.

   We'll connect with you by email to let you know when to upload supporting documents, if required. In this step, you'll see:
   • How to follow your applications status
   • Supporting documents you may need to prepare
   • How to submit supporting documents, including self-reporting your grades