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
Skyline of city from below.

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.

Students walking outdoors together at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.
Two students walking together.
Open laptop showing a dashboard of graphs and data on the screen.
Two open laptops with two sets of hands overlooking papers in between.

Programs of study

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 & Society Seminar Series: 
    Entrepreneurship vs. Democracy: American Business Culture and the Road to Trump

    With Erik Baker, Harvard University 

    Friday, February 28, 2025
    2:30 p.m.
    409 Tier building

    American business culture prizes little else as highly as entrepreneurship, which seems like a synonym for prosperity, innovation, and even freedom itself. But the United States’ celebration of entrepreneurship has a dark side. As Erik Baker will argue, efforts to promote entrepreneurship have often encouraged deference to charismatic leadership and suspicion of collective action, laying the groundwork for the unfolding crisis of American democracy.

    Erik Baker is a lecturer in the History of Science Department, Harvard University and the author of Make Your Own Job: How the Entrepreneurial Work Ethic Exhausted America (Harvard University Press, 2025).

    A joint Economics & Society and History Seminar sponsored by the Departments of Economics and History.

  • Headshot of Erik Baker.

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