Does Queen's University give transfer credit for IB Economics HL?
Kingston, ON
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
ECON 110 (6.0 units)
💡Expert's Take
A strong credit that covers the full introductory economics sequence, with a useful Commerce angle. A score of 5 or higher grants ECON 110 (6.0 units) across Arts, Science, Commerce, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Computing. ECON 110 is a full-year course that spans both microeconomics and macroeconomics, so this credit satisfies the entire first-year economics requirement in a single award.
ECON 110 serves as the gateway prerequisite for all upper-year economics courses at Queen's, including ECON 212 (Microeconomic Theory I) and ECON 222 (Macroeconomic Theory I). Accepting this credit means you can move directly into second-year economics without delay.
For Smith Commerce students, this credit carries particular weight. Commerce first-years normally take COMM 171 (Fundamentals of Economics), which is excluded with ECON 110, meaning you cannot hold credit for both. If you accept ECON 110, you effectively satisfy that Commerce economics requirement and free up space in your first-year schedule. The ECON 110 credit also satisfies the prerequisite for COMM 172 (Managerial Economics), so you remain on track for the second-year Commerce curriculum.
Be aware of an important exclusion rule that applies across all faculties: you cannot hold more than 6.0 units from the group of ECON 110, ECON 111, and ECON 112. Accepting this credit means you cannot later enrol in ECON 111 (Introductory Microeconomics) or ECON 112 (Introductory Macroeconomics) separately.
What to watch for:
- Engineering is different: Smith Engineering does not grant ECON 110 for IB Economics HL. Instead, it awards a "Humanities and Social Sciences" complementary studies credit (6.0 units). This still counts toward your degree, but it fills a complementary studies slot rather than replacing a specific course, and Engineering students are capped at 6.0 units of complementary studies transfer credit total.
- Economics majors still need math: If you plan to pursue an Economics degree plan, upper-year theory courses like ECON 212 and ECON 222 require ECON 110 and calculus (MATH 120, MATH 121, or equivalent). The ECON 110 credit handles one prerequisite, but you will still need to complete your math requirements independently.
- Deadline pressure: You must apply for transfer credit no later than the end of fall term of your first year. Missing this deadline means you are considered to have declined the credit, and requests submitted after that point will not be assessed.
- Maximum cap: Queen's grants a maximum of 18.0 transfer credit units for HL IB courses across all subjects, so plan your credit claims strategically if you have several HL courses with scores of 5 or above.
For most students, this is a straightforward credit to accept. It covers a full 6.0-unit course, satisfies prerequisites for the entire upper-year economics sequence, and applies cleanly to Arts, Science, Commerce, Health Sciences, Nursing, and Computing degree plans.
Commerce students benefit the most from this credit, since it replaces COMM 171 and opens room for non-Commerce electives in first year, a schedule that is otherwise tightly packed with required courses.
For Arts and Science students, this credit satisfies your introductory economics requirement or counts toward elective units. It is a particularly efficient way to create space for a minor, a second major, or simply a lighter first-year course load.
Official award line (IB Economics HL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted (most faculties): ECON 110 (6.0 units)
Smith Engineering: Humanities and Social Sciences complementary studies (6.0 units)
Exclusion: No more than 6.0 units from ECON 110/6.0; ECON 111/3.0; ECON 112/3.0.
ECON 110 in the Academic Calendar
Queen's IB Transfer Credit Tables (Science) Health Sciences Smith Engineering Smith Commerce Nursing Computing Arts
Need help preparing for IB Economics HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
6
= Full-year equivalent
Ontario Resident
~$200-494/credit
~$1,200 - $2,964
Est. Savings
Out-of-Province
~$200-600/credit
~$1,200 - $3,600
Est. Savings
International
~$1,126-1,844/credit
~$6,756 - $11,064
Est. Savings
(Commerce/Eng higher)
*Tuition rates are for 2025-2026 and vary by faculty. Always verify with Queen'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.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | ECON 1XX (6 credits) | $2,520 | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | Economics 1101.03 + Economics 1102.03 = 6 credit h… | $2,052 | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | Economics 1010 + 1020 + three unspecified credit h… | $2,025 | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 5/7 | SFU ECON 103 (4), Q/B-Soc; SFU ECON 105 (4), Q/B-S… | $1,864 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | ECON 111.3 + ECON 114.3 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | AP/ECON 1000 3.0 + AP/ECON 1010 3.0 (6 credits) | $1,458 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Economics 1021A + 1022B (1.0 credit) | $1,440 | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | ECON 1001 + ECON 1002 (1.0 credit) | $1,365 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | ECO 1102 + ECO 1104 (6 units) | $1,320 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | ECON 101 (3 units) + ECON 102 (3 units) | $1,302 | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 5/7 | ECON_V 1st-year level (6 credits) | $1,242 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | Economics 1B03 and 1BB3 | $1,200 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | ECON 201 and ECON 203 | $1,194 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | ECON 1050 (0.50 credits) | $720 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | ECO1**Y (1.0 credit) | $659 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | ECON 103 (1.5 units) and ECON 104 (1.5 units) | $555 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | ECON 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit | $450 | → |
Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.
Other IB Subjects at Queen's University
Related subjects you might be interested in at Queen's University
Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from Queen's University official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.
Last updated: December 2025
Save Your Transfer Plan
Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for Economics HL at Queen's University.