Economics

QUICK FACTS

Credential:
Bachelor's degree

Duration:
4 years

Options:
Major, minor

Start date:
May, January, September

Location:
Abbotsford campus

Cost:
(Details)

FEATURES:

Co-op semester(s) provide paid work experience in your field of study
Emphasis on critical thinking and real-world problem solving to develop job-ready skills
Program eligible for financial aid

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Study Economics to gain the problem-solving, reasoning, and computer skills that employers value in government, business, or finance.

Economics is the only discipline in the broad areas of Social Sciences and Business that is awarded the Nobel Prize. Many famous and successful people have an economics degree.

Economics Major

Develop your analytical and creative thinking skills in order to understand and communicate complex economic issues facing all levels of people — from individuals to entire nations.

During your first and second year, you are introduced to the concepts of micro and macroeconomics and learn to strategically evaluate the influences and decisions contributing to the economic issues.

In your third and fourth year, you hone your critical thinking skills and expand your knowledge of international markets, consumer demands, market structure, and more.

As an Economics student, you develop:

Problem-solving skills
Quantitative and computer skills
The capacity for independent thought
A firm grounding in modern economic theory
Knowledge of finance and accounting
Knowledge of the Canadian and world economy

View program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar.

By working on real economic problems using real-world data sets, you learn to collect, download and process data; check data quality and consistency; use statistical software to understand and analyze data; and present research results compellingly.

Watch a video about a career in economics. It is much more than you think!

Economics Minor

As an Economics student, you develop many skills such as problem-solving, computer and analytics skills, as well as knowledge of finance and accounting.

In your first and second year, you are introduced to the economics of individuals and families as well as businesses and nations. Later in your minor, you have your choice of three upper-level courses ranging from the economics of law and labour to environment and transportation.

View program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar.

An Economics minor is an ideal addition to your degree if you plan to launch a career in law, business, government, or with a non-profit organization. Combine your Economics minor with a complementary discipline such as business, political science, or psychology to enhance the value of your degree.

By the end of your studies, you are equipped with the skills to think critically regarding topics of society and economics, both locally and globally.

Additional Opportunities:

Be a student leader in the Student Economics Association. ECOSA is a student-run organization, which works to enhance student learning and provide economics students with the tools to succeed in their future careers.

Gain a competitive edge after graduation and apply your classroom learning through co-op job placements. Co-op jobs help you develop the skills to build a résumé, expand your professional network, and earn money. You can work in a four-, eight-, or twelve-month work term, full-time or part-time, and can declare co-op as an option on your transcript. Attend a co-op info session, drop in at the Career Centre, or discuss your plans with an Arts advisor to take the first steps towards securing paid work experience in your field.

Consider a practicum placement or internship. Check out the opportunities.

Take a directed studies course at UFV. A directed studies course in Economics allows you to examine independently any economics topic in greater depth. The course may alternatively consist of lectures to a small class, depending on student and faculty interest. Admission is only through instructor’s permission.

Transfer option

Economics Flexible Pre-Major (FPM) is a set of 100/200 level courses that cover lower-level requirements for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a Major in Economics.

Completing the FPM requirements increases your chances to transfer to another institution to complete a BA in Economics.

View the BC Transfer Guide

CAREER EXPECTATIONS

Did you know that on average, Economics majors make more money than any other Bachelor of Arts graduates? According to the College Salary Report, economists rank top for both starting and mid-career salaries.

An Economics degree prepares you for a wide range of careers. When you graduate, you are ready for entry level positions in financial institutions, technology companies, manufacturing corporations, governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations such as hospitals, community foundations, or charitable organizations.

Alternatively, you may decide to pursue graduate studies or professional degrees in areas such as business or law.

Watch a video about a career in economics. It is much more than you think!