Honours Arts and Business

Three students outdoors in nature in purple shirts smiling for the photo.

Follow your passion — and be business savvy, too

Yes, it's real — a degree that allows you to build the business fundamentals you need to start your career while you study the subjects you're most passionate about. 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, a smaller academic community located on campus.

What courses will you take in Honours Arts and Business?

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.

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Two courses in your potential major(s)
  • Elective

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
  • Two courses in your potential major(s)

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

After first year

About 40% of your time will focus on your honours major while 30% of your courses will be in business. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

Sample upper-year courses

ARBUS 200 – Entrepreneurship Principles and Practices
ARBUS 301 – International Business
ARBUS 302 – Principles of Marketing

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.

Faculty:
Faculty of Arts

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Include minors and options?
Yes

28 majors to choose from. Pick one of 28 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.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

In the world's leading co-op program, you'll 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 in the winter term of second year.

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 -


Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in Honours Arts and Business?

With expertise in both business and your major, you'll have the skills and knowledge needed for a career in an incredible range of areas such as business, government, marketing, project management, communications, law, human resources, public relations, and more.

The careers listed below are examples of what you might be able to pursue. Through the courses you take, specializations you choose, extracurriculars, and any work experience you gain, you'll graduate with a degree that's uniquely you and be ready to pursue a career that's right for you!

Marketing coordinator

You’d help plan and run marketing campaigns, manage social media, and analyze how customers respond to promotions. The Arts side helps you craft messages, while Business teaches you how marketing supports company goals.

Business analyst

In this role, you would study how organizations operate and recommend improvements. You’ll use data and clear communication to help managers make smarter decisions.

Human resources coordinator

You’d support hiring, training, and workplace communication. A Bachelor of Arts and Business helps you understand both people and organizational structures.

Management trainee

You would rotate through different departments in a company to learn how the business works from the inside. Employers like this degree because you bring both analytical thinking and strong communication skills.

Sales or account representative

You’d build relationships with clients and help match products or services to their needs. Understanding people and markets gives you an advantage in building trust and closing deals.

Public relations or communications specialist

You would manage how an organization communicates with the public through media, events, or written content. Your Arts background helps with messaging, while Business supports strategic planning.

Entrepreneur or startup founder

You could start your own business or creative venture. This degree helps you combine innovative ideas with budgeting, strategy, and practical management skills.

Project coordinator

In this role, you’d help manage timelines, teams, and deliverables. Strong organization and communication are key strengths developed in an Arts and Business program.

Consulting associate

You would help businesses or organizations solve problems by analyzing information and presenting solutions. This career suits students who like variety and real‑world problem‑solving.

Nonprofit administrator

You’d manage programs, budgets, or fundraising efforts for mission‑driven organizations. The combination of social awareness and business skills is especially valuable in the nonprofit sector.

Supply chain or operations coordinator

You would help ensure products or services are delivered efficiently. Business courses provide technical knowledge, while Arts courses strengthen communication across teams.

Policy or government program officer

You’d support public programs related to economics, culture, or community development. This path is ideal if you’re interested in public service with a practical business lens.

Corporate communications analyst

You would assess how effectively a company communicates internally and externally. Clear writing and analytical thinking are central to this role.

Graduate studies in business, law, or public policy

Many students use this degree as preparation for advanced study. You’ll already be comfortable balancing theory, analysis, and applied problem‑solving.

General manager or operations manager

Over time, you could move into roles that oversee people, budgets, and strategy. Employers value the flexibility and broad perspective that comes from combining Arts and Business.

If you enjoy learning about people, ideas, and creativity—but also want practical business skills—a Bachelor of Arts and Business offers a balanced and highly flexible pathway into many exciting careers.

Learn about the future of careers in business.

Common questions about the program

Can I change my major after I apply? Can I do a double major?

When you apply to Waterloo, you'll indicate a major that you'd like to pursue. (A major is the subject you'd like to be the focus of your degree.)

You’re not committed to this major — and you don’t need to confirm the major(s) you want to explore in first year until June, which is when you'll select courses for the term starting in September. You’ll take some courses in your major in first year even though you don’t officially choose it until the end of first year. We recommend that you explore two majors in first year to keep your options open.

As an Honours Arts and Business student, you can do a major and minor (you can do a double major if you want to take more than the 40 required courses for your degree).

Not sure what a major or minor are? Check out our guide to university terminology. Advisors in the Faculty of Arts will be able to help you with choosing courses and potential majors.

Can I switch to co-op if I change my mind?

If you’re even slightly interested in including co-op work terms as part of your degree, you should apply to co-op when you apply to Waterloo. You’ll automatically be considered for the regular system of study if you aren’t accepted for co-op, but the admission ranges are often very similar between the two systems of study.

If you’re in good academic standing it is possible to switch into co-op later in your studies, but it's not guaranteed as decisions are based on how many spaces are available in co-op and how far through your degree you are.

What's the difference between Honours Arts and Business and Honours Arts?

Most of the requirements are similar, however, Honours Arts and Business requires 14 business courses, which means less time for electives, but a strong business foundation. Watch this video for more details on both programs.

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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: High 70s

Recommended courses

  • Interested in Anthropology; Economics; Psychology; Political Science; Sexualities, Relationships, and Families; Social Development Studies; or Sociology? Grade 12 Mathematics of Data Management or equivalent 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.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

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