History
![students in a lecture](/future-students/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/uploads/images/history-banner1920x600.jpg?itok=xX0V5OwA)
Develop a world view that goes back centuries
Today, the past is more relevant than ever. At Waterloo, you’ll explore history to make sense of the present.
Our small classes create lots of opportunity for animated discussions, while the co-op option offers relevant work experience before you graduate.
In your upper years, an impressively wide range of courses let you focus on the events, themes, or historical time periods that intrigue you most. Delve deep with four possible specializations, or broaden your education with courses from other disciplines.
Whichever way you shape your degree, you’ll develop an invaluable set of skills — technical, creative, critical, and analytical — that will serve you well in almost any career.
What courses will you take in History?
First-year courses
As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.
You will also take an Arts First course in either the fall or winter term of your first year. In this course, instead of going to a lecture hall, you and your classmates will work together to respond to an intriguing challenge. With only 25 students in this course, you might address topics such as The Science of Happiness, Are We Erasing History?, Games and Culture, and Writing About Poems and Songs.
You can choose to study History through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
Honours Arts
September to December
- One 100-level history course
- Arts First requirement or elective
- Prospective major #2
- Two electives
January to April
- One 100-level history course
- Arts First requirement or elective
- Prospective major #2
- Two electives
This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.
Honours Arts and Business
This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.
After first year
About 40% of the classes you’ll take will be History courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the areas of focus within the program.
- Digital and Public History
- Global Interactions
- International Relations
- Revolution, War, and Upheaval
You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. A popular area of focus for History students is English Language and Literature.
Faculty:
Faculty of Arts
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in History
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
Yes
Award-winning teachers. Our professors have racked up a number of honours for their teaching and research, including six student-nominated Distinguished Teaching Awards.
Study in China. Take a portion of your degree at Nanjing University, where you can immerse yourself in the history and culture of China.
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!
Sample co-op job titles
- Archives assistant
- Marketing and publishing assistant
- Technical writer
- Web content publisher
- Tutoring and learning coordinator
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.
If you choose to study History through Honours Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).
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 | - |
or after second year (which can be May to August 2027), if you choose Honours Arts
Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
---|---|---|---|
First | Study | Study | Off |
Second | Study | Study | Co-op |
Third | Study | Co-op | Study |
Fourth | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
What can you do with a degree in History?
Waterloo History graduates commonly pursue careers in writing, teaching, and research, often working in museums, schools, and libraries.
Recent graduates
- Museum Educator — Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum
- Teacher — Waterloo Region District School Board
- Lawyer — Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
- Corporate Account Manager — CDW Canada
- Senior Public Relations Consultant — The iPR Group
- Educational Assistant — Waterloo Region District School Board
Learn about the future of careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts.
Tuition fees
First-year tuition
Type of fees | Tuition (8 months of school) |
---|---|
Domestic (Ontario residents) | $9,000 |
Domestic (Out of province students) | $9,000 |
International (visa students) | $57,000 |
- Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
- Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.
Admissions
Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose History as your major at the end of first year.
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)
Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, careers?
Please contact our Faculty of Arts recruitment team who can answer any questions you have.