You are now in the main content area

International Economics and Finance

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Administered by: Department of Economics
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U courses in: English and Mathematics (one of Grade 12 U Advanced Functions (MHF4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Mathematics of Data Management (MDM4U).

Notes:

  1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English. 
  2. Grade 12 U Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Advanced Functions (MHF4U) are the preferred Mathematics courses.
  3. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 70 percent range) will be determined subject to competition.
  4. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Few contemporary trends are as significant as the integration of the global economy. With the rapid expansion in international trade and cross-border investment flows, businesses throughout the world are being forced to meet foreign competition with improved products and streamlined production methods, in markets at home as well as abroad. These trends have produced rewarding new career opportunities for graduates who possess a solid understanding of the global economy and have the skills required to evaluate and manage risk in a global setting. These careers require not just a practical grasp of economic theory, but also a capacity to access relevant data sources and judge their reliability, model economic relationships, and provide forecasts of key economic variables.

Upon graduation, students will be ready to take on challenging positions in global business, finance, or the public sector, in fields such as international market research, global mutual funds, or policy evaluation. Graduates of the program can also further their education through graduate studies such as an MA in Economics or an MBA. Whatever a student’s particular career path, their future success will be based in large part on the broadly based proficiency they have acquired with this degree.

The goals of the program are:

  • To provide students with a highly structured and rigorous program of study combining both analytical depth and hands-on practical experience.
  • To develop graduates with a range of skills and knowledge in high demand in today’s workplace:
    • analytical proficiency in economic theory, statistical techniques (including forecasting), and finance (in areas such as foreign exchange and derivative securities)
    • a knowledge of international agreements and organizations (e.g. NAFTA, WTO, the IMF), basic business practices (financial accounting and managerial finance), and a range of historical, political and cultural issues (through core courses in subjects such as economic history, international relations, and non-Western philosophy)
    • well-developed communications skills with a series of oral reports, written essays, and computer-based assignments spread throughout the four years of study
    • integrated learning, with three capstone courses (a special project, a seminar course on a geographic region or economic sector, and country risk analysis) in the final year of study, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills while exploring specialized topics in the same professional manner as expected during their future careers

During their years of study at Toronto Met, students will benefit from the professional expertise of the Economics faculty. Department members specialize in areas as diverse as trade theory, financial theory, econometrics, economic development, industrial organization, economic history, and public finance. The Department also has a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.

Students have a chance to interact with professional economists in private industry and government, who participate in the program as guest lecturers, advisers on special projects and sponsors of work placements. These professional economists include members of the program advisory committee.

Internship

Integral to the degree is an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical context. The benefits of this work placement are considerable. Students gain a valuable employment record while forging vital professional contacts for their future careers. They also deepen their understanding of real world opportunities and challenges as they refine their career goals. Moreover, the internship’s position between the third and fourth years of the program means it will help enrich each student’s final year of study.

Liberal Studies

Students must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Economics (ECN) courses and PHL 214 are not available for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Economics (ECN) courses are not available for credit.  

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Revised curriculum begins 2024-2025 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from Table I.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

  • ECN 201 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • SSH 205 Academic Writing and Research

OPEN ELECTIVE: Two Open Electives.

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies

Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

Last offered 2024-2025 to students admitted Fall 2023 and before. Students admitted Fall 2024 and after see revised curriculum below.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

  • ECN 129 Statistics for Economics I
  • ECN 220 Evolution of the Global Economy
  • ECN 230 Mathematics for Economics II
  • ECN 320 Introduction to Financial Economics

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window) .

Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

  • ECN 329 Statistics for Economics II
  • ECN 301 Intermediate Macroeconomics I
  • ECN 504 Intermediate Microeconomics I

OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window) .

Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

Revised curriculum begins 2025-2026 for students admitted Fall 2024 and after.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

  • ECN 129 Statistics for Economics I
  • ECN 189 Mathematics for Economics I
  • ECN 220 Evolution of the Global Economy
  • ECN 320 Introduction to Financial Economics

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window) .

Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

  • ECN 230 Mathematics for Economics II
  • ECN 329 Statistics for Economics II
  • ECN 301 Intermediate Macroeconomics I
  • ECN 504 Intermediate Microeconomics I

OPEN ELECTIVE: One Open Elective

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies (opens in new window) .

Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:

                        OR

LIBERAL STUDIES: One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

*Students will normally enrol in the Required Group 1 course during the term of their placement. 
†This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

REQUIRED GROUP 1: One course from the following:

                       OR

*Students will normally enrol in the Required Group 1 course during the term of their placement. 

†This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.

  

7th & 8th Semester

REQUIRED:

CORE ELECTIVE: One course from the following:

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.
Course selection must not include any courses with an ECN prefix.

CORE ELECTIVE: Three courses from Table II.

OPEN ELECTIVE: Four Open Electives.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Jonathan Bendiner
Economist

TD Bank

Brien Convery
Director of Campus Recruitment

RBC

Kim Ferreira
Director of Professional Search & Campus Recruitment

BMO

John Johnston
Chief Strategist

Davis Rea Ltd.

Cristian Mandachescu
Chief Risk Officer

Scotiabank US

Don Mikolich
Executive Director
Corporate Solutions, Global Distribution
Capital Market Trading, CIBC

John Parker
Chief Economist
Impact Infrastructure, LLC Toronto

Surinder K. Suri
President

Global Economic Management and Associates

Jane Voll
Senior Regional Representative (Economics)

Bank of Canada

David Watt
Chief Economist

HSBC (Canada)