Universities / McMaster University
Economics at McMaster, four ways
McMaster degrees are 120 units, and a typical one-term course is 3 units. Most one-term courses are 3 units. Every figure below is given in McMaster's own units so it matches the calendar, and as a percent of the degree so it can be compared with other schools.
Where the units go
Select a program to load it into the comparison below. Unit counts assume the most common course choice where there are options; categories are The Visible Hand's grouping, not the university's.
Side by side
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Select any course above to see its title, what it covers, and which programs require it.
The differences in one table
| Attribute | Honours Economics (BA) | Honours Economics, Specialist Option (BA) | Honours Economics and Mathematics (BA) | Combined Honours in Economics and Another Subject (BA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | BA (Honours) | BA (Honours) | BA (Honours) | BA (Honours) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences | Faculty of Social Sciences | Faculty of Social Sciences | Faculty of Social Sciences (with Humanities or Arts and Science) |
| Total units | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| How you get in | From any Level I program (normally Honours Economics I) with a GPA of at least 5.0, an average of at least 5.0 in ECON 1B03 and 1BB3, and one of ECON 1ME3, MATH 1MM3, 1A03 or 1LS3. Economics I students move into Honours Economics without applying; other options need the April Level II application. | Same entry as Honours Economics, through the April Level II application. From any Level I program (normally Honours Economics I) with a GPA of at least 5.0, an average of at least 5.0 in ECON 1B03 and 1BB3, and one of ECON 1ME3, MATH 1MM3, 1A03 or 1LS3. | From any Level I program with a GPA of at least 5.0, an average of at least 5.0 in ECON 1B03 and 1BB3, first-year calculus I and II (calculus II with at least C+), and MATH 1B03 (which must be done by the end of Level II and is strongly recommended in Level I). | From any Level I program (normally Honours Economics I) with a GPA of at least 5.0, an average of at least 5.0 in ECON 1B03 and 1BB3, and one of ECON 1ME3, MATH 1MM3, 1A03 or 1LS3, plus the Honours admission requirements of the other subject. |
| GPA to continue | — | — | — | — |
| GPA to graduate | — McMaster uses a 12-point scale (5.0 is about a C). A GPA of 5.0 is needed to continue in Honours; 4.5–4.9 allows one probation period | — McMaster uses a 12-point scale (5.0 is about a C). A GPA of 5.0 is needed to continue in Honours; 4.5–4.9 allows one probation period; several Specialist courses need B- or better in their prerequisites | — McMaster uses a 12-point scale (5.0 is about a C). A GPA of 5.0 is needed to continue in Honours; 4.5–4.9 allows one probation period | — McMaster uses a 12-point scale (5.0 is about a C). A GPA of 5.0 is needed to continue in Honours; 4.5–4.9 allows one probation period |
| Math & computing (units, % of degree) | 3 (3%) | 6 (5%) | 48 (40%) | 3 (3%) |
| Statistics & econometrics (units, % of degree) | 6 (5%) | 9 (8%) | 6 (5%) | 6 (5%) |
| Economic theory & topics (units, % of degree) | 42 (35%) | 36 (30%) | 30 (25%) | 33 (28%) |
| Writing, research & breadth (units, % of degree) | 6 (5%) | 6 (5%) | 6 (5%) | 6 (5%) |
| Other required (units, % of degree) | 9 (8%) | 9 (8%) | — | 36 (30%) |
| Open units | 54 (45%) | 54 (45%) | 30 (25%) | 36 (30%) |
| Best suited to | Applied economics, policy, business, law and public administration. | An M.A. or PhD in economics; research and analyst roles. | Quantitative economics, graduate school, finance and data roles. | Economics alongside political science, philosophy, psychology or another field. |
| Source | Academic calendar Report an error | Academic calendar Report an error | Academic calendar Report an error | Academic calendar Report an error |
Getting in
Where students are admitted
Honours Economics I (Level I) in the Faculty of Social Sciences
When the program is declared
After Level I; Economics I students move into Honours Economics automatically if they meet the grades, other options need an April application
Worth knowing
McMaster uses a 12-point GPA scale. Co-op is a selective five-year option.
Things worth knowing before choosing
Economics I flows into Honours automatically
Students who finish Honours Economics I with a 5.0 GPA, a 5.0 average in ECON 1B03/1BB3 and a first-year math course move into Honours Economics without applying. Every other option, including the Specialist and Economics and Mathematics, needs the April Level II application.
A 5.0 here is roughly a C
McMaster grades on a 12-point scale. Honours students need a 5.0 GPA to continue; 4.5–4.9 gives one probation period, and 3.0–4.4 means transferring to another program.
Upper-year courses have B- gates
ECON 3G03 needs a B- in intermediate micro and macro, ECON 4AA3 needs a B- in ECON 4FF3 and in 3EE3 (or an A- in 3E03), and ECON 4G03 needs a B- in 3EE3 (or an A- in 3E03).
Economics and Mathematics starts in first year
Entry needs two terms of first-year calculus, the second with at least a C+. MATH 1B03 linear algebra is strongly recommended in Level I, and MATH 1C03 is recommended there too.
Co-op is selective and takes five years
The co-op option is limited, chosen by grades and an interview, with applications due March 1. It normally runs five years.
There is a cap on economics
No more than 60 units of ECON above Level I can count, not including the econometrics courses (ECON 2B03, 3E03, 3EE3).
Economics + another subject: 4 ways to combine them
McMaster also has an accelerated three-year Honours Economics option and a combined BA Specialist and M.A. in Economics. Economics and Computer Science was last offered to new students in September 2026.
| Attribute | Combined Honours in Economics and Another Subject | Honours Economics + a Minor | Honours Economics and Mathematics | Honours Economics Co-op |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics side | 39 units of ECON beyond Level I | Honours Economics | 30 units of ECON beyond Level I, plus a statistics route | Honours Economics plus a career preparation course |
| Other side | 36 units in the other subject | A Minor, such as Business or Finance | 30 units of MATH beyond Level I | Paid work terms |
| Room left | 15 units of electives | Part of the 42 elective units | 15–18 units | Similar to Honours Economics |
| Entry hurdle | Both subjects’ Honours entry rules | 5.0 GPA | C+ in second-term calculus | Interview; March 1 deadline |
| Best for | Economics with political science, philosophy, psychology and more | Adding business skills; MATH 1MM3 is strongly recommended for a Business or Finance Minor | Quantitative economics | Work experience before graduating |
Students who plan to transfer into Commerce need MATH 1MM3.
Students in other programs can enter Honours Economics later with a 5.0 GPA and a 5.0 average in the intermediate theory courses.
Sources
- McMaster Undergraduate Calendar 2026-2027: Honours Economics (B.A.)
- McMaster Calendar: Honours Economics (Specialist Option)
- McMaster Calendar: Honours Economics and Mathematics
- McMaster Calendar: Combined Honours in Economics and Another Subject
- McMaster Calendar: Honours Economics I (Level I) and Co-op option
- McMaster Calendar: Faculty of Social Sciences continuation rules
- Course titles are from the calendar; course summaries are paraphrased. Unit tallies are planning estimates, and open units also have to cover McMaster's breadth and writing requirements.