Financial Economics

Master of Financial Economics (MFE)



Meet Xi Zhou, MFE candidate in Financial Economics

“Hard work is very important. Graduate life can be overwhelming sometimes, but all the effort you put into your studies will pay off eventually.”

Where’s your favourite place on campus to work?
I have two favorite places: one is the study room provided by the program, where I can focus on my projects, and communicate with the other MFE students. The other is the graduate students’ collaborative work room equipped with screens and a whiteboard which is an ideal space for group projects.

What is it about your grad program that enables you to thrive and be successful?
The best part of my program is the combination of a co-op term and a wide range of courses and electives from the Department of Economics, Ivey Business School, the Department of Statistics, and the Faculty of Law. This exposure ensures students obtain the knowledge and quantitative skills required for their future careers. By applying analytical skills to the real financial market during the co-op term, I’m able to develop a deeper understanding of how it relates to what I learned in the MFE program.

Have you worked as a research assistant?
Yes, I worked as a research assistant (RA) for a DAN Management professor. It was a great experience and provided me the opportunity to work closely with faculty members.

What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Remain positive and trust yourself no matter what the circumstances. There’s always going to be difficulties, especially when you are entering a new chapter in your life. No one could get through it without challenges, and it’s not something you can simply escape from. Sometimes you even start to question yourself, but remember that challenges will help you become more capable of what you’re pursuing. Therefore, keep up the effort, and don’t forget to seek assistance from faculties or professors who are always prepared to support you along the journey.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Megan Luckovitch (mfe@uwo.ca)
MFE Program Coordinator

Department of Economics

Western University
Social Science Centre Rm 4076
London, Ontario N6A 5C2

t. 519-661-2111 ext. 84150

The Western Master of Financial Economics (MFE) is a 16-month, course-based graduate program which includes a summer internship. This interdisciplinary program includes the Department of Economics, the Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, the Ivey Business School, and the Faculty of Law. These academic units have joined forces to provide MFE students with a broad understanding of Financial Theory and the Economics framework upon which that theory is based, as well as the understanding of Quantitative Finance and Securities Law, required for today's complex financial world. Graduates pursue careers in a variety of industry areas including risk management, financial modelling, investor and treasury services, and portfolio management.

Program Length

  • 4 Terms

Program Design

  • Full-time study
  • Course-based

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

  • BA or international equivalent i.e. four-year degree from an accredited university preferably in Economics, Business (Finance), Math, Science or Engineering.
  • Achieved a minimum 78% average overall in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree.

Additional Requirements

  • Additional courses/tests may be required depending on an applicant's academic background. Please visit MFE Admissions Requirements for more information.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • All candidates are encouraged to take the Graduate Record Examination General test and submit their scores. Applicants whose previous degree is not from a Canadian university are required to submit the GRE. A minimum GRE score of 150 (new scale) on the Quantitative component is required.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language. If an applicant has been studying for more than two years toward a degree at an accredited institution in Canada, or hold a degree from a country where the primary language is English, the English language proficiency requirement may be waived.

Application Deadline

  • January 15

No applications will be considered after the deadline, except in extraordinary circumstances. First round offers are expected to go out in late February with the possibility of second round offers in late March/early April.