Doctorate in Philosophy Economics at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy Economics program at the University of Ottawa is a prestigious joint doctoral program offered in collaboration with Carleton University. This program is designed for students who wish to engage in advanced research and specialize in various fields of economics. The curriculum includes a core of theory and applied economics subjects, comprehensive examinations, and a thesis component. Students will benefit from a rich academic environment that encourages the cross-fertilization of ideas and innovative research methodologies.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Economics program is structured to be completed within a maximum of five years from the date of initial enrollment. The program typically requires four years to fulfill all requirements. Key features of the program structure include:

Joint doctoral program with Carleton University
Core courses in theory and applied economics
Workshops to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration
Comprehensive examinations
Thesis requirement

Students are expected to maintain a minimum grade of B in all courses, and a Thesis Advisory Committee will be formed during the second year to guide the student throughout their research journey. The program emphasizes rigorous academic standards and provides a supportive environment for students to thrive.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Economics program offers several unique experiences that enhance the educational journey:

Joint doctoral program with Carleton University, providing access to a broader range of resources and expertise.
Workshops designed to foster collaboration and the exchange of ideas among students and faculty.
Opportunities for intensive study and research in specialized fields such as Public Economics, Industrial Organization, and International Economics.
Access to a vibrant research community at the University of Ottawa, known for its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Engagement in comprehensive examinations that prepare students for their thesis work.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Economics program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Economist: Analyze economic data and trends to provide insights for businesses, governments, and organizations.
Policy Analyst: Evaluate and develop policies that address economic issues, working for government agencies or think tanks.
Researcher: Conduct academic or applied research in universities, research institutions, or private sector organizations.
Consultant: Provide expert advice to businesses and organizations on economic strategies and market analysis.
Professor: Teach and mentor students in higher education institutions, contributing to academic research and scholarship.

These career options reflect the diverse skill set and knowledge base that graduates acquire through their rigorous training in economics.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Economics, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's degree

You must have taken the following courses: Micro 4, Macro 4, Econometry or their equivalent.

Average time to completion

16 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Industrial Organization/Public Economics/Monetary Economics/International Economics/Economic Development/Economics of the Environment

Work Economy and Econometry

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation. Academic references preferred.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Paper-based) English Program: TOEFL 580 / IELTS Overall 6.5 - Individual 6.0 (Paper-based) French Program: DALF C1, C2/ TCF B2 (note globale)/TEF B2 (Note globale) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 92-93/New TOEFL 4.5 / IELTS 6.5 overall – Individual 6.0 (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	A very good knowledge of English language Resume required Applicants are advised that all admission documents are considered final once submitted. Revised, updated, or replacement documents will not be accepted after submission. Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

Proficiency in the English language is required for entry into the doctoral program.

Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French, or who have not graduated from a French-speaking or an English-speaking university, must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other.

Fast-Track from Master's to Doctoral program

Students who achieve outstanding academic performance and demonstrate high promise for advanced research during the master's program may, with the permission of the Graduate Studies Committee, transfer into the PhD progam without completing the MA, provided they have completed ECO 6120 (ECON 5020), ECO 6122 (ECON 5021), and ECO 5185 (ECON 5027) with an average of "A" or higher. Such students must take a total of at least eleven regular courses (MA and PhD levels combined) and do not receive an MA degree. However, students who transfer but do not complete the PhD can receive an MA by fulfilling all the requirements of the MA program. Please note that the minimal admission average requirements for the doctoral program must also be met.

The request for permission to transfer must be made during the second term of enrollment of earlier. The student must enroll in the PhD in the third or, at the latest, in the fourth term.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!