Applications for September 2025 are now Open. Deadline is January 10, 2025

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UBC MFRE Masters Degree Logo

MFRE is a unique one year masters degree combining Economics, Policy and Business as understood from an Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Environmental perspective. This professional degree combines the economic rigour of a Masters in Economics, with the business elements of MBA programs, and equips you to analyze real-world environmental issues through applied economics and quantitative skills.

 

MFRE masters degree illustration

Why Choose MFRE?

 

academic rigour ubc mfre
Academic Rigour

Develop core knowledge in Economics, Policy and Business, plus quantitative & data analysis skills applicable to many sectors.

 

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Real World Experience

Apply acquired knowledge and professional skills to the real world through a 3-month Graduating Project and multiple high-level professional development activities.

 

professional development ubc mfre
Strategized Professional Development

Engage in a strategy to enhance core professional competencies through high-level workshops focused on 3 key areas: results, ownership, and communication.

 

Why MFRE?

 

Hear directly from our students

visit our video section

 

Career Paths

Business

Nick Gemperle

Senior Research Analyst

Nick Gemperle, an MFRE alumnus currently employed as a Research Analyst with Ipsos, a world-renowned market research firm. Nick also has a seat on the board of an NGO and is passionate about issues related to sustainable agriculture and climate change.

Academics

Xiao Han

PhD Student in Integrated Studies of Land and Food Systems

Xiao pursued her PhD in Environmental Economics in ISLFS after MFRE. Her research studies the impact of air pollution on people’s migration decisions, with particular focus on whether ethnic segregation affects this relationship.

Data Analysis

Blair Baillargeon

Business Intelligence Senior Developer

I am currently an Operations Intelligence, Senior Developer and the technical team lead on our Operations Intelligence team. In my current role I lead, design and develop enterprise-wide data analysis and reporting solutions.

Development

Ishrat Gadhok

Economist

Ishrat has professional experience as an Economist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a Management Consultant at KPMG, and a Trade Policy Consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Environment

Ngaio Hotte

Third Party Evaluator

Provides independent review and evaluation of project applications submitted to the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI) program. Support First Nations in the Pacific Region of Canada as they develop their own commercial fishing enterprises.

Government

Mike Lee

Economist

As an economist at the Strategic Policy Branch at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), my main responsibilities include researching policy issues, analyzing economic trends and providing strategic policy advice.

More career examples

Did you know?

  • 340

    alumni in more than 35 countries.

  • 90%

    of MFRE students speak 2 or more languages.

  • 16

    specialized courses offered by the program each year.

Recent MFRE Speaker Series Events

Visit our MFRE Speakers Series page for full listing.

Agribusiness and KPM: Industry trends and challenges

David Guthrie, CPA, CA

National Leader – Agribusiness, Partner, KPMG Private Enterprise

David Guthrie, CPA, CA, National Leader – Agribusiness, Partner, KPMG Private Enterprise

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Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainability: Creating a Business Model for Athiana Acres

Simran Panatch

Managing Director, Athiana Acres

Simran is the Managing Director at Athiana Acres, a 30-acre regenerative vegetable, fruit, herb and flower farm located in Vancouver, British Columbia, established in 2022. She oversees all aspects of the business with a particular focus on marketing, sales and strategy. She is passionate about leveraging technology to build more sustainable food systems and looks forward to leveraging her background in data within the agriculture space. Prior to this, Simran was a data analyst at TEALEAVES, a Vancouver-based tea company working to redefine luxury in support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, Simran was the Managing Director at Data Feminism Network and built the organization alongside Ali Dunn and Jade Greer while completing her Masters of Business Analytics at the University of British Columbia. She now serves as an advisor for the DPA Data Feminism Program. Simran holds a BSc in Food, Nutrition and Health from the University of British Columbia

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Consumer Behavior, Preferences and Sustainability

Katherine White

Senior Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability, Watkinson Professorship in Sustainability, and Professor, Marketing and Behavioural Science Division

Katherine White, Senior Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability, Watkinson Professorship in Sustainability, and Professor, Marketing and Behavioural Science Division

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