Follow your passion for Arts — and be business savvy, too
Honours Arts and Business is where the things you’re passionate about intersect with business. Pick one of 30 majors — a subject you’re curious about or something you’ve always loved — then layer on business classes that teach you the practical skills employers look for.
Want your degree to be even more customized? Add on a second honours major or a minor. Choose the regular system of study and finish in four years, or add 20 months of serious work experience to your résumé through co-op. You’ve even got the option of studying abroad.
You can co-register and complete your Waterloo degree through St. Jerome's University or Renison University College, smaller academic communities located on campus.
Program highlights
30 majors to choose from. Pick one of 30 majors in humanities, social sciences, languages, and fine or performing arts. Then round out your degree with courses in other subjects that spark your interest.
14 business courses. Through your business courses, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of accounting, management, economics, marketing, entrepreneurship, ethics, and communication.
- Available as a regular or co-op program
- Include minors and options as part of your degree
- Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts
- Offered by the Faculty of Arts
30 majors to choose from
- Anthropology
- Classical Studies (2 majors)
- Communication Studies (2 majors)
- Economics
- English (4 majors)
- Fine Arts (2 majors)
- French
- Gender and Social Justice
- German
- History
- Legal Studies
- Liberal Studies
- Medieval Studies
What will you learn?
First-year courses
During your first year, you'll take four introductory business courses. Plus, you'll have electives to explore two majors of your choosing. In upper years, 40% of the classes you'll take will be in your chosen major while 30% will be in business.
Learn about courses you'll take for your Arts and Business degree.
Customize your degree
You can also add additional areas of interest and expertise by including a minor (or minors) as part of your Bachelor of Arts degree.
Get tips from Waterloo students
Join our newsletter for tips such as choosing a program, life at Waterloo, and finances.
Contact a student ambassador
Ask a Faculty of Arts student about their program, classes, getting involved on campus, and more!
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience – and make money!
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2026).
Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
---|---|---|---|
First | Study | Study | Off |
Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
Fourth | Study | Co-op | Co-op |
Fifth | Study | Study | - |
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- any Grade 12 U English (final grade of at least 70% is required)
Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)
Recommended courses
Interested in majoring in Anthropology; Economics; Psychology; Political Science; Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies; Social Development Studies; or Sociology? Grade 12 Mathematics of Data Management is recommended as helpful background.
Plan to major in Economics? Calculus and Vectors is also recommended, however you can choose to take a first-year calculus course to acquire additional background.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
Connect with us
Questions about courses, programs, requirements, careers?
Please contact our Faculty of Arts recruitment team who can answer any questions you have.