The University of British Columbia in Canada is currently taking applications for its Doctor of Philosophy in Economics. Full-time doctoral students who qualify will receive a minimum yearly funding package of CAD 40,000.

Financial backing is guaranteed by the institution for the initial four years, raising the minimum financial support total to CAD 160,000.

Both domestic applicants and international students, including candidates from Pakistan, are eligible to receive this funding after they gain admission.

December 21, 2026 has been established by UBC as the final application deadline for the September 2027 intake. This research-focused curriculum provides specializations in areas such as development economics, econometrics, international trade, and public economics.

Doctor of Philosophy in Economics Scholarship Benefits

Eligible full-time PhD students at the Vancouver campus receive a minimum annual funding package of CAD 40,000 from the University of British Columbia.

This funding guarantee covers the first four years of doctoral studies, delivering at least CAD 160,000 over that span.

The higher minimum funding rule was put in place by UBC in September 2026, and it applies to both local and foreign doctoral scholars.

Monetary assistance can originate from university awards, outside grants, research assistant positions, teaching assistant positions, and graduate academic assistant jobs.

Based on funding figures from September 2024 to August 2025, supported Economics PhD learners obtained a median annual gross funding of CAD 46,889.

The institution also noted a median annual net funding amount of CAD 37,054 once tuition and student fees were subtracted.

Tuition Fees and Additional Financial Support

Tuition is billed by UBC for the Economics PhD curriculum. First-year tuition published by the university sits at roughly CAD 10,081.65 for foreign students and CAD 5,738.52 for local students.

An International Tuition Award reaching up to CAD 3,200 annually is available for qualifying international students. Additional student fees of about CAD 1,203.20 per year are also outlined by the university.

Candidates need to examine their individual funding offers to see how assistantships, scholarships, and tuition costs impact their accessible financial aid.

A full tuition waiver is not automatically granted by the CAD 40,000 minimum funding package.

Eligibility Criteria for the UBC Economics PhD Scholarship

Candidates must satisfy the general graduate admission rules of UBC alongside the academic criteria of the Vancouver School of Economics. Typically, the university looks for candidates to possess a master's degree in Economics.

Direct admission is possible for applicants who show exceptional academic performance within an undergraduate honours curriculum in Economics.

Individuals applying straight from their undergraduate studies need to prove strong results in economic theory, statistics, mathematics, and econometrics.

An academic average in the B+ category, which is roughly 76 percent, is normally requested by UBC, though the Economics PhD curriculum may enforce stricter standards.

English Language Requirements

English-language proficiency test results must be provided by international candidates if English was not the primary language of instruction at their prior universities.

An IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5, with minimum component scores of 6.0 in each section, is demanded by UBC. An overall score of 125 must be reached by applicants submitting the Duolingo English Test, alongside minimum component scores of 115 in Reading and Listening and 120 in Writing and Speaking.

Applicants taking TOEFL iBT exams prior to January 21, 2026 must attain an overall score of 93, with at least 22 in every section.

Required Documents for the UBC Economics PhD Scholarship

Before sending in their online applications, candidates must gather their academic records and supporting paperwork.

Transcripts from every post-secondary school attended, together with three confidential academic recommendation letters, are requested by UBC.

A statement of intent detailing academic history, research focus, and reasons for pursuing doctoral studies must also be provided by candidates.

This statement cannot go beyond two pages, and applicants must format it using US letter-size paper, single spacing, one-inch margins, and a 12-point professional font.

English-language proficiency results must be included when needed, alongside GRE scores if requested by the department.

How to Apply for the Doctor of Philosophy in Economics Scholarship

Submissions must be sent through the official online graduate admissions platform of the University of British Columbia by interested candidates.

The UBC Economics PhD program page should be visited first by applicants to check admission prerequisites, funding details, and application steps.

A UBC Campus-Wide Login account must be set up or used by candidates to finish the online graduate application.

Academic credentials, research interests, and contact details for three academic referees must be entered by applicants, who must also upload the necessary documents and pay the required application fee.