MA Financial Economics

The program's core courses build a strong foundation in financial economics. In addition, students can choose electives in finance and/or economics to customize the program according to their interests.

Advancing your knowledge in core economic theory and quantitative methods will prepare you to work in public policy and conduct economic research that will help solve any economic and business problem. Developing extensive financial knowledge and excellent quantitative research skills will enable you to become an expert analyst, understand market trends and risk, and manage financial portfolios. Our MA program features courses in asset pricing, corporate finance, and financial econometrics.

The core courses consist of macroeconomics, econometrics, asset pricing and one of corporate finance or microeconomics.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:

1. A 4-year honours degree at the baccalaureate level from a recognized undergraduate program in economics, finance or a related field, normally with a 'B+' average as a minimum.
2. Rigorous training in economics and econometrics as demonstrated by prior course work.
3. Students must demonstrate familiarity with calculus, optimization, and simple regression analysis through prior course work.

For undergraduates at the University of Guelph, we typically expect ECON*3740 Introduction to Econometrics, ECON*3710 Advanced Microeconomics, and ECON*3810 Advanced Macroeconomics.

Students whose background is not in economics but who are otherwise outstanding should consult the Department of Economics and Finance at the Lang School. Applicants whose background in economics is difficult to evaluate may be granted admission as a provisional graduate student for one semester. If, at the end of the semester, the Department is satisfied with the student's progress, it will recommend to the Assistant Vice-President (Graduate Studies) that the student be transferred to regular graduate student status.

Application deadlines for Fall 2026 admission:

• January 15 -- submission of the online application form for consideration in the first round. Consideration of qualified applicants will continue past the deadline.
• February 1 -- submission of all required supporting documents for consideration in the first round. Consideration of qualified applicants will continue past the deadline.

Graduates of the MA in Financial Economics program can be found in a range of organizations across Canada and around the world

• International Monetary Fund, World Bank
• Statistics Canada
• Federal Privy Council Office
• Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal
• Ontario Ministry of Finance
• Hydro Québec
• Ontario Securities Commission
• Informetrica​

Click here for information regarding tuition of the MA Financial Economics program.

Click here for more information about graduate student scholarships.

Are you an international student considering applying to the MA Financial Economics program? The digital international student viewbook provides you with an overview of our programs, admission requirements, and supports available for international students at the University of Guelph and Lang.

View Lang's International Student Viewbook

There are two options to the MA in Financial Economics (i) by course work, and (ii) by course work and major research paper.

Course based option

You will take a minimum of four credits (eight courses) that include financial economics core courses and electives. The program can be completed in 8 months (two semesters).

• Four core courses (2.0 credits): Macroeconomic Theory, Econometrics, Asset Pricing, and one of Corporate Finance or Microeconomic Theory.
• Four additional courses (2.0 credits): Students who take corporate finance in the core must take at least one elective course in the subject area of economics. Students who take microeconomic theory in the core must take at least one elective course in the subject area of finance.

Major research project option

You will take a minimum of four credits that include economics and finance core courses, electives and the MRP. The program can be completed in 12 months (three semesters).

• Four core courses (2.0 credits): Macroeconomic Theory, Econometrics, Asset Pricing, and one of Corporate Finance or Microeconomic Theory.
• Two additional courses (1.0 credit): Students who take corporate finance in the core must take at least one elective course in the subject area of economics. Students who take microeconomic theory in the core must take at least one elective course in the subject area of finance.
• Major research projects (1.0 credit): Written in the summer semester, under the supervision of a faculty member.