Economics
Economists study the costs and benefits associated with the choices we make. In this program, you’ll explore issues in:
- markets
- health
- the environment
- finance
- public policy
Potential careers
What can you do with an economics degree? Here are a few jobs that relate to the program:
- financial services representative
- personal banking associate
- equity research advisor
- financial services analyst
- business process developer
- accountant assistant
- payroll clerk
- investment advisor
- business banking officer
- real estate agent or appraiser
- economic research analyst
- operations research analyst
- financial writer
- economic development officer
- commercial insurance specialist
- Autoplan agent
- claims manager
- technology account manager
- business development representative
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the economics program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to economics:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the economics program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Community-service learning
SOSC 300 - Working in the Community
Volunteer with a community organization (40 hours) and explore course concepts
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Course-based
ECON 451 - General Equilibrium and Welfare Economics
Develop a general equilibrium computer model to analyze a real-world economy
ECON 457 - Computational Economics
Analyze markets or economies with numerical techniques and computer simulations
Field placement
ECON 496 - Directed Experiential Learning in Economics
Examine analytical issues in economics by working or volunteering (200 hours)
Professional and technical skill development
ECON 225 - Writing for Economists
Develop discipline-specific writing skills, such as composing briefing notes
ECON 345 - Applied Econometrics
Apply statistical concepts and techniques to economic data
ECON 365 - Econometrics: Part I
ECON 366 - Econometrics: Part II
Learn to use statistical techniques by working with real-world data
ECON 468 - Financial Econometrics
Apply econometric methods to analyze financial data
Research project
ECON 456 - Advanced Applied Econometrics
Generate and analyze economic data using lab and field experiments
ECON 499 - Fourth-Year Honours Thesis and Seminar
Research, write and orally present a graduating honours essay
Work experience
Work experience work terms
Take part in a modified co-op program requiring one or two work experiences
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the economics program.
Economic principles and theories
- use the principles, theories and applications used to explain economic phenomena
- understand the principles of microeconomics, including demand, distribution, opportunity cost, competition and theory of the firm
- understand the principles of macroeconomics, including income, prices, economic stabilization, inflation, investment, incentives, government deficits and debt
- understand the principles of econometrics, including estimations, hypothesis testing, specification consequences and diagnostic testing
Economic methods
- use tools to measure economic impact
- use software and computing methods to analyze data
- understand and use econometric concepts and techniques to analyze economic phenomena
- understand and apply calculus and linear algebra to economic problems
Policy making and policy analysis
- understand the important issues in economic decision making in the public and private sector
- understand the economic implications of government policies in areas such as labour, health care, education and natural resources
- understand policy related to money and banking, including credit and the banking system
- understand policy related to international trade and finance, including tariffs and trade
- understand policy related to government expenditures and taxation
- understand policy related to urban and regional economic issues such as regional disparity, land use and planning, migration and economic growth
- understand policy related to populations, such as population growth, fertility, migration and aging
Professional skills
- solve problems with a clear, concise and rigorous approach
- select appropriate data and do required analysis
- identify trends and patterns in data
- identify key or underlying issues in data
- write reports and briefing notes
- work independently and cooperate in teams