Does Carleton University give transfer credit for IB Economics HL?

Ottawa, ON

Faculty: General Transfer Credit

Yes, Transfer Credit Available!

Minimum Grade Required

5or higher

Credit Granted

ECON 1001 + ECON 1002 (1.0 credit)

💡Expert's Take

A score of 5 or higher on IB Economics HL earns 1.0 Carleton credit: ECON 1001 (Introduction to Microeconomics) and ECON 1002 (Introduction to Macroeconomics). Carleton's IB transfer credit page authorizes awards only for Higher Level subjects with a grade of 5 or better and only for the HL subjects listed in its equivalency table, so SL Economics is not addressed there and should be treated as out of scope until an advisor confirms otherwise.

These two courses are the first-year micro and macro foundation that a B.Econ. path is built on, but the way they carry students into intermediate coursework is course-specific, not uniform. At the course-entry level, ECON 2020 (Intermediate Microeconomics I) requires ECON 1001 or FYSM 1003 with a grade of C- or higher plus ECON 1401 and ECON 1402 or an approved math pair; ECON 2102 (Intermediate Macroeconomics I) requires ECON 1002 or FYSM 1003 with the same math pair; and ECON 2210 (Introductory Statistics for Economics) requires only the ECON 1401 and ECON 1402 math pair or equivalent. A separate program-level progression note ties intermediate ECON progression to one or both of ECON 1001 and ECON 1002, or FYSM 1003, or ECON 1000, plus the math pair. Transfer credit satisfies the ECON 1001/1002 slot but is unevaluated for grade, so students whose program reads these as graded prerequisites should confirm how advanced-standing credit is treated for the C- floor.

What to watch for:

  • The course entries for ECON 1001 and ECON 1002 each say the course "precludes additional credit for FYSM 1003", and FYSM 1003 in turn precludes ECON 1000, 1001, and 1002. Students awarded the IB credit cannot also hold FYSM 1003 for credit.
  • The 3.0-credit cap on total IB advanced standing applies across all Higher Level subjects at faculty discretion; Carleton does not publish a formal procedure for electing which IB awards apply under that cap.
  • The math pair is separate. ECON 1401 and ECON 1402 (or an approved math course pair) sit alongside the ECON 1001/1002 credit at the intermediate stage and are not covered by this IB award.

If the target program is Economics, Commerce, or BPAPM, the Economics HL credit generally lands in programs that already require ECON 1001 and ECON 1002, including the Bachelor of Commerce first-year plan and all BPAPM specializations, so accepting the credit typically clears two required slots. If the goal is a strong Economics GPA, some students prefer to take ECON 1001 and ECON 1002 at Carleton anyway to build a graded foundation before intermediate coursework; Carleton's IB page does not publish a formal decline-credit procedure, so a student who wants to waive an awarded IB credit should contact the Undergraduate Admissions office or their Faculty advisor directly.

Official IB table entry (Economics HL):
Credit granted: ECON 1001 (0.5) and ECON 1002 (0.5), total 1.0 credit

Synthesized from surrounding policy text on the same page:
Minimum score: 5, with awards made at the discretion of the appropriate faculty and within an overall 3.0-credit cap on IB advanced standing.

Carleton University — Transfer/Advanced Standing Credit: International Baccalaureate

Your Potential Savings

Credits Earned

1

Tuition per Credit*

~$1365

Est. Savings*

~$1,365

*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with Carleton University's official sources before making decisions.

📊 Compare Economics HL at Other Universities

See how Economics HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.

UniversityMin GradeCredit GrantedEst. Savings
McGill UniversityMontreal, QC5/7ECON 1XX (6 credits)$2,520
Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS5/7Economics 1101.03 + Economics 1102.03 = 6 credit h…$2,052
Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC5/7SFU ECON 103 (4), Q/B-Soc; SFU ECON 105 (4), Q/B-S…$1,864
University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK5/7ECON 111.3 + ECON 114.3 = 6 credit units$1,554
York UniversityToronto, ON5/7AP/ECON 1000 3.0 + AP/ECON 1010 3.0 (6 credits)$1,458
Western UniversityLondon, ON5/7Economics 1021A + 1022B (1.0 credit)$1,440
Queen's UniversityKingston, ON5/7ECON 110 (6.0 units)$1,398
University of OttawaOttawa, ON5/7ECO 1102 + ECO 1104 (6 units)$1,320
University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB6/7ECON 101 (3 units) + ECON 102 (3 units)$1,302
University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC5/7ECON_V 1st-year level (6 credits)$1,242
McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON5/7ECON 1B03 + ECON 1BB3 (up to 6 units)$1,200
University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta5/7ECON 201 and ECON 203$1,194
University of GuelphGuelph, ON5/7ECON 1050 (0.50 credits)$720
University of TorontoToronto, ON5/7ECO1**Y (1.0 credit)$659
University of VictoriaVictoria, BC4/7ECON 103 (1.5 units) and ECON 104 (1.5 units)$555
University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON5/7ECON 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit$450
16 universities grant credit0 do notBest savings: $2,520

Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.

Data Disclaimer

This information is compiled from Carleton University official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.

Official University Website

Last updated: December 2025

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