Requirements for Admission and Aid

To qualify for admission, you should have a solid record in courses such as intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, calculus, and statistics.  An economics major is not required.  Recommended mathematics preparation includes: advanced calculus, linear algebra, and mathematical statistics (taught in a Mathematics Department). Additional math courses, such as real analysis or differential equations, are useful. Applicants must provide official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and GRE aptitude test scores. The GRE advanced test in economics is not required.  Most of the incoming students have a GRE quantitative score that exceeds the 90th percentile.  Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores .  Please use the institutional code 5820; no departmental code is necessary.
 
Most financial aid is distributed on a merit basis in late March and early April, so it is important to complete the application process by February 1.  Early application is critical for international students, since mailing delays and communication problems are common. Currently, our department is able to provide financial aid packages ranging from a teaching assistantship of $8,800 (which generates tuition remission and health insurance) to fellowship stipends of up to $26,000.
 
An master's degree is not a prerequisite for our doctoral program. Students in our program earn an M.A. while working towards the Ph.D.; however, it is not a terminal master's degree program.  Students who are primarily interested in a terminal M.A. degree are advised to consider other universities with more applied master's level courses.

Students interested combining law and economics must be admitted by both the Department of Economics and the Law School .  There is no formal joint program, but a few students have worked on law and economics degrees simultaneously.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

If you would like an application form, you can download the forms from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. You will probably find it more convenient to apply online .

Send all application forms and related material directly to GSAS, not to the Department of Economics.  Please remember that GSAS must receive the $60.00 fee and the application before they will begin to process your material.

Inquiries regarding application materials should be made to grad-a-s@virginia.edu, or to GSAS, Admissions Office, 437 Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400775, Charlottesville, VA  22904-4775.  Telephone: (434) 924-7184, fax (434) 924-6737.