How to Apply

Candidates should apply via the online application process beginning October 15, 2024. All applicants should carefully review the application requirements below prior to beginning an application.

Please note that you may be eligible to apply for more than one program at one time (i.e. Economics MA as well as MFE).

Candidates applying for the MFE program should visit the MFE application site.

Please do not submit any paper documents in support of your application. All documents supporting your application must be uploaded electronically into the online application. The Admissions Committee will only review applications within the application portal so all information must be included in your online application.

Application Deadline: February 1, 2025

REQUIRED APPLICATION FEE:  $150.00

Application requirements:

Fill out online application, which will provide the program with the following:

  • Biographical information
  • Contact information
  • Academic background
  • Transcripts from all institutions attended, uploaded in PDF format
    • Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded initially. If you are offered admission to the program, you will be required to submit an official transcript at a later date.
    • Past or current students of Western University do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history at Western. This information will be obtained internally.
    • If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any Ontario university or college other than Western, you MUST upload any transcripts at the time of the application.
    • If the transcript and degree certificates are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (Non-English transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation).
  • A list of all math and statistics courses taken at the university level, including the grades you attained. This can be in Word or PDF format.
  • Referee information
    • Two academic referees are required for an application to Western’s graduate program in economics.
    • References are collected electronically upon submission of application.
  • Statement of Academic Interest
  • Proficiency in English Scores
    • Applicant must have testing service send score to Western
    • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum score requirement is 550 paper based, 213 computer based, and 86 with no individual score below 20 on the internet based version. Western's TOEFL ID is 0984.
    • The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) of the British Council. Minimum score requirement is 6.5/9.
    • TOEFL or IELTS scores that are more than two years old will not be accepted.
    • We do not accept Duolingo as proof of English proficiency.
  • GRE Scores
    • Western’s Institution Code is 0984 and the Department Code is 1801. All candidates are encouraged to take the Graduate Record Examination General Test and submit their scores. Applicants whose previous degree is not from a Canadian university are required to submit the GRE. Others who feel that their academic record may not provide an accurate measure of their promise for graduate work in economics, as well as for those who do not have an Honours Economics degree, will find it in their interest to take these tests also. Students who take the exams when they are offered in October, December, or January will have their scores available in time to be considered by our Department. The deadlines for registering for the exams are about seven weeks before the exams are given. For information and registration forms, write to Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service, Box 955, Princeton, New Jersey 08541, U.S.A.
  • Application fee of $150.00
    • Western accepts payment by credit card (Visa/MasterCard) or cheque/money order.

Note: Candidates who are currently enrolled as students should make sure that a record of their performance for the first term of the current year is submitted. In the case of universities which offer one-term courses, students should make sure that the transcripts they submit include first-term marks for the current year. In the case of universities which do not offer one-term courses, students should ask the Chair of their department or their instructor to submit a letter listing preliminary mid-year marks or an evaluation of their performance. Candidates who apply before the end of the first term should update their applications by sending first-term results as soon as they become available.

See the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website for further information.

Application Assessment

Preliminary Assessment

Once Western receives your completed application and payment, an automated email will be sent to you confirming receipt of the completed application. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will complete a preliminary assessment of your application to calculate an admission average, establish an academic degree basis for your potential admission and determine any additional documentation required by Western should you receive an offer of admission.  After your application passes through the preliminary assessment phase, an email will be sent to you confirming receipt of your application to the program to which you applied.

Electronic References

Once your references have successfully completed the electronic reference form, you will receive an email confirmation. The electronic reference will be processed at Western centrally and delivered to the program(s) you have applied within one business day.

Program Review

Although you apply through one central graduate application at Western, ultimately your application is collected and assessed within the Department of Economics.

No application will be considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents (i.e. transcripts, letters of reference, test results) are submitted by the program’s deadline for application. All applications will be considered after the deadline, not before. The review process takes four to six weeks. First round offers are expected to go out in late February with the possibility of second round offers in late March/early April. Candidates should therefore ensure that the application is completed and submitted with all required documents uploaded by February 1st.

Accessing the Western Student Center

Upon Western receiving your application, a confirmation e-mail will be forwarded to you providing you with information regarding your application profile at Western. This information is key to accessing your Western Personal Computer Account. Once you have activated your Computer Account you will be able to log into the Student Center, Western’s portal for student information, so please keep this information handy.

As an applicant, the Western Student Center will allow you to:

  • Update personal information (including contact information)
  • Check your application status
  • Explore the Western course catalog
  • Accept an offer of admission

For an overview of activation and password requirements associated with your application, please visit Passwords and Access.

Admission Decision

Applicants who have been offered admission to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies can accept or decline their offers of admissions online through the Western Student Centre.

  • Login into the Student Center with the information provided with your Western Personal Computer Account and locate the Admissions grid
  • Select "Accept or Decline" to begin the decision process