An undergraduate degree in economics is not required for admission to the Ph.D. program, provided that applicants have achieved an adequate background in economics and mathematics at the undergraduate level.

Economics
All applicants are expected to have completed intermediate math-based economic theory courses. Further education in economics and economic theory is helpful, but not required.

Math
Applicants must have knowledge of multivariate calculus, basic matrix algebra, and differential equations; completion of a two-year math sequence, which emphasizes proofs and derivations.  Some knowledge of statistics and elementary probability is highly desirable, as is additional coursework in algebra and real analysis.  Descriptions of the Math courses offered at UC Berkeley which fulfill this requirement are as follows:

MATH 1A: An introduction to differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, with applications and an introduction to transcendental functions.MATH 1B: Continuation of 1A. Techniques of integration; applications of integration. Infinite sequences and series. First-order ordinary differential equations. Second-order ordinary differential equations; oscillation and damping; series solutions of ordinary differential equations.MATH 53: Parametric equations and polar coordinates. Vectors in 2- and 3-dimensional Euclidean spaces. Partial derivatives. Multiple integrals. Vector calculus. Theorems of Green, Gauss, and Stokes.MATH 54: Basic linear algebra; matrix arithmetic and determinants. Vector spaces; inner product spaces. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors; linear transformations. Homogeneous ordinary differential equations; first-order differential equations with constant coefficients. Fourier series and partial differential equations.MATH 104: The real number system. Sequences, limits, and continuous functions in R and R. The concept of a metric space. Uniform convergence, interchange of limit operations. Infinite series. Mean value theorem and applications. The Riemann integral.MATH 110: Matrices, vector spaces, linear transformations, inner products, determinants. Eigenvectors. QR factorization. Quadratic forms and Rayleigh's principle. Jordan canonical form, applications. Linear functionals.STAT 134: An introduction to probability, emphasizing concepts and applications. Conditional expectation, independence, laws of large numbers. Discrete and continuous random variables. Central limit theorem. Selected topics such as the Poisson process, Markov chains, characteristic functions.

Admit Profile

Admission is based primarily on four factors:

  1. Mathematical ability and training as evidenced by courses taken in mathematics and related subjects, grades in those courses, and the quantitative GRE score.
  2. General academic ability as evidenced by the applicant's academic record, including both grades and the difficulty of courses taken.
  3. Training in economics as evidenced by the applicant's academic record in economics and related fields, letters of recommendation, and work experience related to economics.
  4. Evidence of motivation and aptitude for research judged primarily on the basis of the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, work experience in economics, and previous research projects.

In past years most applicants recommended for graduate admission were in the following profile areas:

  • Major GPA of 3.8 or higher with consideration for the degree of difficulty of the course work.
  • Upper level mathematical course work including real analysis or honors advanced calculus with grades of A- minus or better.
  • Quantitative GRE score of 165 or higher.*
  • Grades of A-minus or better in intermediate level theory courses (microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics) with a strong preference for honors or mathematical track versions of all three courses.
  • Advanced undergraduate or graduate-level course work in economics.
  • Proven independent research ability (e.g., honors thesis).
  • Very strong letters of recommendations from at least two faculty members who know the candidate in both classroom and out-of-class settings (e.g. independent research).
  • Statement of purpose that expresses coherent ideas about why the candidate is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in economics and describes likely areas of research interest.
  • TOEFL (if applicable) at least 90 for the Internet-based test (iBT).
  • IELTS (is accepted) most recent overall Band score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale.

*GRE scores are REQUIRED for the 2024-25 admissions season (for matriculation in Fall 2025).

Admission is based primarily on four factors:

  1. Mathematical ability and training as evidenced by courses taken in mathematics and related subjects, grades in those courses, and the quantitative GRE score.
  2. General academic ability as evidenced by the applicant's academic record, including both grades and the difficulty of courses taken.
  3. Training in economics as evidenced by the applicant's academic record in economics and related fields, letters of recommendation, and work experience related to economics.
  4. Evidence of motivation and aptitude for research judged primarily on the basis of the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, work experience in economics, and previous research projects.

In past years most applicants recommended for graduate admission were in the following profile areas:

  • Major GPA of 3.8 or higher with consideration for the degree of difficulty of the course work.
  • Upper level mathematical course work including real analysis or honors advanced calculus with grades of A- minus or better.
  • Quantitative GRE score of 165 or higher.*
  • Grades of A-minus or better in intermediate level theory courses (microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics) with a strong preference for honors or mathematical track versions of all three courses.
  • Advanced undergraduate or graduate-level course work in economics.
  • Proven independent research ability (e.g., honors thesis).
  • Very strong letters of recommendations from at least two faculty members who know the candidate in both classroom and out-of-class settings (e.g. independent research).
  • Statement of purpose that expresses coherent ideas about why the candidate is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in economics and describes likely areas of research interest.
  • TOEFL (if applicable) at least 90 for the Internet-based test (iBT).
  • IELTS (is accepted) most recent overall Band score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale.

UPDATE 12/18/2020 (a note on P/NP grades since the Covid-19/Coronavirus Pandemic):

UC Berkeley evaluates applicants for admission to its graduate and professional schools holistically, meaning that we consider an applicant’s combination of personal accomplishments, letters of recommendation, personal statements, academic record, and test scores in making our admissions decisions. Such a review will take into account the significant disruptions of COVID-19 when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials during the pandemic. Thus, we will not penalize students for the adoption of P/NP grades and reduced research experiences during this unprecedented period, whether the choices were made by institutions or by individual students. What is most important is that applicants demonstrate that they pursued a challenging curriculum that was relevant to their plan for graduate or professional school.

As we have continued to observe in admissions cycles, Berkeley graduates have a remarkable track record of success in graduate school admissions to the most competitive programs in the country. Our graduates are admired for their academic abilities and resilience, and are assessed, as always, on their overall performance. We are confident that graduate admissions committees will make generous allowances for the academic challenges produced by the COVID-19 pandemic.