Pursue your passions. Postpone the commitment.

Stavros, an Honours Arts student at Waterloo, looks smiling into the camera, wearing a shirt and tie

The flexibility of Waterloo's Honours Arts program – along with a first-year course in public speaking and a love for Lord of the Rings – led Stavros to a double major in Communication Studies and Medieval Studies.

If you have a wide variety of interests, Honours Arts gives you the freedom to explore them.

In Waterloo's largest and most flexible first-year program, you’ll use your first two terms to test the waters. Sample courses from the humanities, social sciences, fine and performing arts, and languages and cultures. Discover subjects you weren’t exposed to in high school, or delve deeper into your favourite subject at the university level.

Whatever direction you end up taking, Honours Arts will give you the critical thinking skills to analyze issues, make persuasive arguments, write well, and speak with conviction — skills that will serve you well along any career path.

You can also co-register and complete your Waterloo degree through St. Jerome's University or Renison University College, smaller academic communities located on campus.

Program highlights

  • Choose from 30 majors. At the end of first year, it’s your choice. Pick one (or two!) of 30 different Arts majors. And then you can easily combine majors and minors to customize your degree to your interests.
  • Use paid co-op work terms to explore potential career areas, gain valuable work experience, and earn money to help pay for school.
  • Room for extracurriculars. Honours Arts gives you plenty of time outside the classroom to join clubs, run for student government, study abroad, volunteer, or explore other interests.


30 majors to choose from

 

You'll choose your major at the end of first year. 


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Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

  • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors is recommended if you plan to major in Economics.

Grade 12 Mathematics of Data Management is recommended if you plan to major in Political Science; Psychology; Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies; Social Development Studies; or Sociology.

Admission average: Low 80s

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

Connect with us

Questions about courses, programs, requirements, careers?

Please contact our Faculty of Arts recruitment team who can answer any questions you have.

 


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