Faculty of Arts

Department of Economics

Economics studies the choices that individuals, governments and corporations make using limited resources and under uncertainty. Our students gain analytical skills and a historical perspective as we analyze complex topics including employment, health, environment, commodity prices, economic growth and more.

Our strength lies in our range, diversity and strong commitment to an open and inclusive intellectual environment. We offer a full range of modern programs from a variety of critical perspectives at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Our faculty and staff
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Why economics?

Our department has a strong record of teaching excellence and a commitment to an environment that facilitates student learning. Students develop core skills and a competitive edge in careers where an understanding and analysis of the economy is desirable.

With multiple streams of study available, student research opportunities and a co-op program to gain on-the-job skills, students get a broad view of economics and an understanding of the choices and problems facing individuals and society.

Areas of study

When entering a four-year Advanced or Honours program in economics, students will select from one of two available streams:

Economics and econometrics, which emphasizes theory (micro and macro), mathematics and statistical methods.

Economics and society, which focuses on how the distribution of wealth and power affects the socioeconomic and physical environment.

Two additional honours programs are offered jointly with the Faculty of Science:

  • Economics-Mathematics
  • Economics-Statistics

Visit the Academic Calendar for program information and course lists.

Co-op option

The Department of Economics offers a co-op education program attached to the Single Advance Major or Single Honours degree options.

As a student in the co-op program, you will have the opportunity to meet employers, get career support and complete 12 months of paid work experience before graduation.

A career in Economics... it's much more than you think.

Economics is much more than the study of finance, banking, business and government. A degree in economics is useful to all individuals and can lead to many interesting career choices.

Watch this brief educational video, developed by The American Economic Association.

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Programs of study

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Economics at the Faculty of Arts Watch Video

What is Economics all about?

Learn about what to expect in your first year of study, typical courses and career opportunities.

One-page printable overview (PDF)

Student resources and opportunities

Financial aid and awards

  • Undergraduate students in Economics may be eligible for awards including:

    • A.J. Averbach Memorial Prize
    • Louis Lercher Memorial Scholarship

    Undergraduate students in Economics can apply for awards such as the:

    • Ruben Bellan Bursary
    • Ruben Simkin Memorial Prize (essay competition)

    Visit the Awards database to find details on each award.

  • Graduate students in Economics may be eligible for awards such as:

    • Clarence Barber Memorial Award

    Check the Graduate Awards database to find details.

University of Manitoba Economics Society (UMES)

The UMES provides students with a common interest in economics the opportunity to engage and participate in the growth and development of the community through talks and student representation.

Follow UMES on Instagram

Undergraduate research awards (URA)

Undergraduate students have the opportunity to work with our leading faculty researchers and gain valuable experience.

Learn more and apply for a UM URA

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Events

Each year the Department of Economics hosts a variety of lectures and other events. These include seminars, panel discussions, invited lectures, brownbag lunch talks and honours and graduate student conferences. The Economics Seminar Series supports the interaction of ideas and intellectual discussion of economics from a variety of perspectives. It has been running for over 50 years and is the oldest in the Faculty of Arts.

Economics Seminars

The Labor Market Returns to Unobserved Skills: Evidence from a Gender Quota

Economics & Econometrics Seminar Series with
Dr. Safoura Moeeni, University of Regina
Friday, March 24, 2023
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Room 307 Tier Building

All are welcome. No registration required.

We estimate the effects of unobserved skills on labor market outcomes by investigating a change in the distribution of unobserved skills. Among people with the same levels of observed skills such as education and work experience, there are still disparities in labor market outcomes. To explain the disparities and find the effect of unobserved skills, we exploit a discontinuity generated by the 2012 education policy in Iran. This policy restricting female students in specific college majors changes the size and skill distribution of the pool of high school graduates workers. We find three main findings. First, the education quota lowers women's college attendance. Second, young high school graduate women are more likely to participate in the labor market and have a job. Third, the gender wage gap decreases among high school workers due to both within and between occupation changes treated women are paid more and they take up higher paying middle skilled positions that used to be non-traditional occupations for them.

Economics resources

 

Contact us

Department of Economics
Room 501 Fletcher Argue Building
15 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 5V5 Canada

economics@umanitoba.ca
204-474-9207
General Office Hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm