Future Students

Students who graduate with a Ph.D. from Western have obtained positions at leading international academic and research institutions; as evident in our placement record.  Our recent Ph.D. graduates have accepted tenure-track positions in Economics departments at University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, Indiana University, Florida State University, Kansas State University, and HEC Montréal, just to name a few.  Others have gone to government agencies such as the Bank of Canada, Industry Canada and Statistics Canada, as well as investment banks and consulting firms.  Our program is small – approximately 15 new students enter our Ph.D.-stream program each year; and our faculty are very accessible to the graduate students.

A background in economics is not a requirement for admission.  Many of our incoming students have degrees in mathematics, statistics, engineering and other disciplines.  While a strong mathematical background is not a strict requirement, we do encourage prospective students to take math courses.  Mathematics preparation should include multivariate calculus, linear algebra, real analysis, and statistics.  Graduate work in economics demands a higher degree of mathematical sophistication than normally provided by undergraduate economics programs.

The links provided here should answer most of your questions regarding the formal requirements for admission and graduation. If you still have questions, you are welcome to contact the Economics Graduate Coordinator at econ-gradcoordinator@uwo.ca.