Cultivate and challenge modern insights into critical global issues affecting communities and societies worldwide. We are united by our common humanity but often divided by race, culture, class, gender and citizenship. Develop a deep understanding of complex problems like armed conflict, refugees, economic development, environmental change, and human rights, and learn how individuals, communities, and governments drive positive change.
Graduate with skills to tackle complex problems and contribute meaningfully to your community and workplace.
Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete, and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:
Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):
Choose 8 more courses in topics that interest you.
Global Studies gives you flexibility to shape your degree according to your own interests. You can choose to take a range of courses across our curriculum, follow our research specialization track, or do a concentration in one of our three fields of study:
The Department of Global Studies hosts the Social Entrepreneurship Minor, a specialized degree component that will engage you in active social innovation, informed by principles of social justice and environmental sustainability.
Other popular options and minors that you should consider as ways to customize your degree include:
Check out other options to enhance your degree.
Apply for the Global Studies BA + MA and receive an offer of admission to the Honours BA and a conditional offer to graduate studies in either:
You can combine this program with a Master of Arts in International Development from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
You'll complete four years at our Waterloo campus. Students who meet the progression requirements may then apply to the Sussex MA in International Development and are guaranteed an offer of admission to study in the UK for one year. Apply directly on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.
Enhance your degree with a Management Option or get a head-start on graduate studies by applying to the BA in Combination with a Master of Business Administration with co-op. Apply directly to either on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.
Note: Apply on OUAC by selecting 'Honours Arts' with the options/co-op as desired and then select Global Studies as your subject of major interest.
*You will choose from a Master of Arts in related program or Master International Public Policy once you’ve begun your undergraduate degree.
Global Studies (BA):
Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum must present the following:
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed above. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.
Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.
Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.
We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.
If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.
The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.
Students applying to this program from another post-secondary institution are encouraged to review our transfer-specific requirements. This page will show you the admission requirements for your unique transfer situation and provide more details about transferring to Laurier.
College graduates applying to Laurier’s Global Studies program may be eligible for admission with one of our block transfer agreements.
Note: Students who have completed or will be completing 2.5 or more attempted credits at other postsecondary institutions will not be considered for admission to the direct entry co-op program.
Learn more about our college pathway opportunities.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.
Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate future-ready.
Future Laurier Arts students have two options to engage in co-op. You can apply in first-year to our co-op program and complete three-work terms of four months’ duration and gain valuable experience during their studies.
You can also get a head-start and apply for direct admission to our brand-new co-op program straight from high school in select Arts programs. In both pathways, you will gain 12 months of career experience.
Interested? Learn more about co-op in the Faculty of Arts.
98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024
Getting a university education is an investment in your future.
At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.
Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.
Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.
Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?
