Psychology (Bachelor of Science)

Get inside the human mind (and earn a science degree at the same time)

If you have a passion for psychology and a strong scientific orientation, we have the program for you. As it happens, it's one of the top 100 psychology programs worldwide, according to the 2020 Shanghai World University Rankings. And it offers co-op, which is paid work experience, on top of that.

You’ll take a blend of psychology, science, and math courses with an emphasis on research methods and data analysis. In your third and fourth years, you’ll have the chance to work in small groups, get hands-on laboratory training, and work one-on-one with professors.

Your Bachelor of Science in Honours Psychology is the perfect launchpad for a career in behavioural neuroscience, forensic psychology, or cognitive psychology — or for a medical career specializing in neurology, psychology, or pediatrics.

Learn from top researchers

Waterloo’s Department of Psychology is one of the strongest in North America, with an international reputation for excellence in clinical and research programs.

Build an impressive résumé

Enrol in one of our apprenticeship courses, or choose the co-op system of study. Meanwhile, if you opt for an honours thesis in fourth year, you’ll pursue your own scientific research project.

A student in the Psychology degree program flips through a book with a younger child.

As part of your Psychology degree, you'll be able to get hands-on experience through research projects.

in Canada for psychology research productivity and impact

Breifcase Available as a co-op and regular program

Cap Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Psychology

Psychology admission requirements

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

English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, Physics (Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics are recommended)

Admission averages: Low 80s

We recommend completing the Admission Information Form one you've applied.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Physical Sciences (which is the entry program for Psychology majors).

How to apply

Apply to Life Sciences and select Psychology as your major at the end of first year. To continue on to second year as a Psychology major, your average in all first-year courses must be at least 60%, your average in first-year Science courses must be at least 60%, and your average in your first-year Psychology courses must be at least at 75%

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First-year Psychology courses

September to December

CHEM 120/120L - Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter/Laboratory
MATH 127 - Calculus 1 for the Sciences
PSYCH 101 - Introductory Psychology
ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 - Communication in the Sciences
Any 100-level BIOL course and associated lab

January to April

CHEM 123/123L - Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics/Laboratory
MATH 128 - Calculus 2 for the Sciences
Any 100-level Biology course and associated lab
200-level Psychology course (choose from PSYCH 207, 211, 238, 253, 257, or 261)
One elective

After first year

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

View a list of all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

PSYCH 226 – Positive Psychology
PSYCH 253 – Social Psychology
PSYCH 314 – Cognitive Development
PSYCH 356 – Personality

Click Apply to Life Sciences, select Psychology as your major

Beaker Offered through the Faculty of Science

Research areas within the Department of Psychology

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

Child & youth program assistant
Marketing assistant
Personal care worker
Health promotion assistant
Undergraduate research assistant
Science peer tutor

Sample co-op employers

Toronto District School Board
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
University Health Network
Ontario Health Quality Council
L'Arche

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of expertise to your degree by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular areas of focus for Psychology students include Biology, Cognitive Science, and Human Resource Management.

What can you do with a degree in psychology?

Graduates typically find a wide variety of career opportunities in counselling, therapy, mental health services, neuroscience, human relations, psychiatry, speech pathology, research, and education.