BA Political Science (Honours) at University of Victoria

Programme overview

An honours Bachelor of Arts in the Department of Political Science that explores democracy, conflict, human rights and Indigenous governance while building skills in policy analysis, research and persuasive communication. Honours students complete a seminar and essay.

Faculty: Faculty of Social Sciences | Department: Department of Political Science | Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

What you will study

Years 1 and 2 include introductory courses such as Canadian Politics, The Worlds of Politics, Comparing Politics around the World, Global Development and An Introduction to Political Theory, plus an Indigenous politics course. Years 3 and 4 include political thought, Introduction to Research Methods in Politics, Approaches to Political Analysis and the Honours Seminar and Essay (POLI 499), with 6 units from one group of fields or a specialized concentration.

Career pathways

Careers in government, business and non-profit organizations; the Legislative Internship Program places students with BC Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Political Science (BA): Direct entry from secondary school: British Columbia and Yukon applicants need approved English 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11 or Pre-calculus 11, approved science 11, approved social studies 11/12, English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (minimum 73%) and three approved academic Grade 12 courses; estimated admission average minimum 82% on the Grade 12 courses. Ontario applicants need English 4U (minimum 73%) and five additional 4U/4M courses. International Baccalaureate applicants need the full diploma with three Higher Level subjects and English HL or SL (minimum 3), with an estimated score of 28 points. Transfer applicants: 12 UVic units (eight or more university-transfer courses) with a minimum C (2.00 on the UVic 9-point scale) on the most recent 12 units, or a diploma program with an A- (7.00) after one year or a B (5.00) when completed. English language proficiency: applicants whose first language of home and school is not English must demonstrate proficiency (for example four years of full-time study in English, or an approved English test). Honours entry to the program also requires a minimum grade of C+ in the required first-year POLI courses and a GPA of 6.0 in at least 7.5 units of 100- or 200-level Political Science courses.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Undergraduate entry points: September (fall), January and summer (May) entry; Engineering summer entry is for high school graduates only.

September entry: most degree programs January 31; Elementary Curriculum and Secondary Curriculum teacher education post-degree programs January 2; Indigenous Education ongoing; Public Administration diploma and certificate programs May 31. Early admission is possible for high school students who submit grades by early December. Late applications may be accepted where programs remain open.

January entry: Art History and Visual Studies, Computer Science, Computer Science and Health Information Science, Music (Bachelor of Arts) and all Humanities, Science and Social Sciences programs September 30; Health Information Science October 31; Public Administration diploma and certificate programs September 30.

Summer entry: Art History and Visual Studies, Computer Science, Music (BA) and all Humanities, Science and Social Sciences programs March 31; Engineering programs December 31 (high school graduates only); Public Administration diploma and certificate programs February 15.

Applications are submitted through EducationPlannerBC. The application fee is $89.50 if all transcripts come from institutions within Canada and $184.00 if any transcripts come from outside Canada.

Apply through the official page: https://www.uvic.ca/undergraduate/

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