MA Economics at UAlberta: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

The University of Alberta Master of Arts in Economics is a one-year, on-campus, full-time course-based programme. Entry requires a bachelor’s degree in Economics or a related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (75 – 80%). International tuition is CAD 10,518.72 (INR 7.10 Lakhs) per year. Intakes: Fall and Winter. The programme prepares graduates for roles in government, central banks, financial institutions, and policy research.

This programme trains economists to analyse real-world economic problems through advanced coursework in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, and applied research methods. The distinctive advantage for Indian applicants is the blend of rigorous quantitative training with practical case studies in labour economics, development, and resource management. Ideal applicants have strong mathematics backgrounds and aim for analyst or policy roles in India’s financial sector or international organisations.

University of Alberta Master of Arts Economics Fees 2026

The total cost of study comprises tuition, mandatory fees, health insurance, and living expenses. 

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of CAD 1 = INR 70.12 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

University of Alberta Master of Arts in Economics Admission

The programme admits one cohort each for Fall and Winter intakes. Early applicants have higher acceptance odds. Minimum academic credentials are non-negotiable, but successful Indian applicants often exceed the floor.

International students whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must demonstrate proficiency. The University of Alberta accepts multiple pathways; IELTS is the fastest and most common for Indian applicants.

The Department of Economics uses the online GPS (Graduate Program Services) portal for all applications. Deadlines are rolling; applications submitted early in the window have higher acceptance odds. Below are the forward-looking deadlines for upcoming intakes.

• Required documents: completed application form, official transcripts (WES evaluation for non-Canadian credentials), IELTS/TOEFL/PTE scores, statement of purpose (500 words max), and two academic references.
• Processing time: 2–4 weeks after submission if all documents are received; delayed if transcript verification is needed.

Application Tip: Start the WES evaluation at least 8 weeks before the deadline if your degree is from outside Canada. Domestic credential evaluations can take 6–8 weeks, and the GPS system will not review your application until WES confirms equivalence.

University of Alberta Master of Arts Economics Scholarships

The university offers limited merit-based scholarships for incoming MA graduate students. Indian applicants are eligible for most programmes. Scholarships are competitive; only top 10–15% of applicants typically receive them.

The primary awards for MA Economics students are:

• University of Alberta Graduate Entrance Scholarship: CAD 17,500 (INR 12,27,100) for newly admitted MA students ranked highly by the Economics Department.
• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship (AGES): CAD 12,000 (INR 8,41,440) one-time payment; merit-based; limited slots for international students.
• Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship: CAD 25,000+ per year; most prestigious; open to international PhD students; rarely given to MA cohorts.

For an MA student with a GPA of 3.8+ and strong applications, expect realistic aid of CAD 12,000–17,500, offsetting roughly 52–69% of tuition. Domestic scholarships (e.g. SSHRC) are closed to international students.

Scholarship Reality: Scholarships are not automatic. Merit is determined after admission. If scholarship-dependent, plan to fund tuition out-of-pocket and treat any award as a bonus.

University of Alberta Master of Arts Economics Salary and Placements

MA Economics graduates from the University of Alberta secure roles in government agencies, central banks, international organisations, and private financial institutions within three to six months of graduation. The programme’s emphasis on applied econometrics and policy analysis directly maps to labour market demand.

Source: University of Alberta Graduate Employment Survey 2025; Glassdoor Canada; Statistics Canada Job Bank.