Political Science Degree

hanging canadian flags

Calling all political junkies.

From civil unrest to global trade negotiations, today’s political landscape is complex. Learn how to navigate (and shape) that terrain with a Political Science degree from Waterloo.

Investigate a wide range of topics, or dive deep with a specialization in International Relations. Either way, you’ll hone your analytical, writing, critical thinking, and research skills in a mix of lectures, seminars, and workshops.

You’ll also get an insiders’ perspective, studying with top scholars involved in current international policy debates. Gain an understanding of comparative politics, international relations, social sciences, and political theory.

Graduate ready to make a difference. Now more than ever, the world needs savvy movers and shakers equipped to respond to current events.

What courses will you take in Political Science?

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. 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 each of the two first-year courses, 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 Political Science through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Honours Arts

September to December

  • PSCI 100 – Power, Politics, and Policy: An Introduction
  • Arts First requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives

January to April

  • PSCI 150 – Introduction to Global Politics
  • Arts First requirement or elective
  • Prospective major #2
  • Two electives

Honours Arts and Business

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • PSCI 100 – Power, Politics, and Policy: An Introduction
  • Prospective major #2

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • Arts First Requirement or elective
  • PSCI 150 – Introduction to Global Politics
  • Prospective major #2

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

40% of the classes you’ll take will be Political Science courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

Sample upper-year courses

PSCI 281 – World Politics
PSCI 369 – The Politics of Decolonization
PSCI 387 – Globalization
PSCI 488 – Global Food and Agricultural Politics

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including an International Relations specialization within the program.

You can also include minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus for Political Science students include International Studies and Politics and Business.

Faculty:
Faculty of Arts

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
Yes

Get serious work experience. Explore potential careers while earning your degree. Choose the co-op system and graduate with 20 months of paid experience.

90+ undergraduate courses. Sink your teeth into Chinese foreign policy, women and politics, global security, or dozens of other highly topical courses.

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

  • Junior policy analyst
  • Public affairs coordinator
  • Information technology communications coordinator
  • Economic analyst
  • Junior business systems analyst
  • Talent acquisition assistant
  • Research analyst

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 do Political Science 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 -

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a Political Science degree?

Graduates frequently pursue careers in policy and risk analysis, public service, research, marketing, and public relations. They often work in financial institutions, non-profit organizations, law firms, and all levels of government.

Recent graduates

  • Lawyer – Legal Aid Ontario
  • Executive Director – Ontario Human Rights Commission
  • Trade Policy Officer – Government of Alberta
  • Research Analyst – Legislative Assembly of Ontario
  • Project Control Officer – Loblaw Companies
  • Legal Counsel – MADD Canada
  • Investment Auditor – CIBC

Learn about the future of careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts.

Hear from some recent graduates

Ola Idris (BA '22) looks back on her time as a Political Science student and shares what she learned along the way. Learn about what it's like to be a Political Science graduate.

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.

Admission requirements

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Political Science 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.

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!

Connect with us

Questions about courses, programs, requirements, careers?