Eligibility Requirements

1. MFRE Program Specific entry requirements

The MFRE program requires a bachelor’s degree in an area such as economics, agricultural economics or business that provides a solid background in economics. You can apply for MFRE before you have completed your bachelor’s degree. For example, at UBC many students apply in Term 1 of their final year of undergraduate, when they still have Term 2 (January to April) courses to take in order to complete their undergraduate degrees. The specific background required for the MFRE degree involves the following four competencies:

1. Mathematical competency, at least differential calculus (equivalent to MATH 100 or MATH 110 at UBC).

2. Statistical competency, at least one course in statistics (equivalent to LFS 252 or ECON 325 at UBC).

3. Introductory economic theory courses, in both micro and macro-economic principles (equivalent to ECON 101 and 102 at UBC).

4. You have built on these introductory economic theory courses by, both:

• Completing at least one more course in micro-economic theory at the intermediate level (equivalent to ECON301 or COMM295 at UBC).
• Completing at least two additional courses at the intermediate level in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Food Economics, Resource Economics or economics-based Commerce courses.

Students lacking any of the above four competencies will need to fill these gaps before being admitted to the MFRE program. There is a place in the MFRE application form for you to explain how you will overcome these gaps in your background.

2. UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum standards of admission.

The minimum standards for admission to a masters degree at UBC are clearly laid out by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
 

Students with Canadian or US Credentials

Normally, applicants for a master's degree program must hold the academic equivalent of a four-year bachelor's degree from UBC including one of the following:

1. A minimum overall average of B+ (76% at UBC) in third- and fourth-year courses. This includes the courses taken in your third (junior) and fourth (senior) years. At UBC, these courses are referred to as "upper level" and are given 300 and 400 level numbers.

2. At least 12 credits of third or fourth year courses that are important to the MFRE degree with at least A- (at UBC, 80% or higher) in each course. At UBC, these would include 300 or 400 level courses in ECON, FRE and COMM. These 12 credits must all be obtained from the same institution.

Students who fall short of meeting eligibility criteria 1. and 2. above can consider additional coursework outside their bachelor’s degree, for example as an unclassified student at UBC. These extra courses will be taken into consideration, but they do not guarantee eligibility for admission. Similarly, if applicants who do not meet the requirements stated above have had other significant formal training, relevant professional experience, or possess skills and expertise that will prepare them adequately for successful study in the MFRE program, this will also be taken into account.

Students with International Credentials (except US):

Students with International Credentials must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree equivalent to UBC with an average grade for all courses done in the bachelor’s degree equivalent to B+ (76%) at UBC. You can learn what average grade is equivalent to this by selecting your home country.

Students with Dual Degrees (International and Canada/US):

Both credentials (international and domestic/US) will be considered.

3. English language requirements (if applicable).