Honours Arts and Business at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Leads to the Bachelor of Arts. 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. 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. Available in the regular system of study or the co-op system.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

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 include Entrepreneurship Principles and Practices, International Business, Principles of Marketing.

Career pathways

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.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Ontario applicants: 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. How to apply: Apply directly to this program on your application.

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.

First-year students are admitted for the September (fall) term only. Terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), spring (May to August). Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies can start in the winter, spring or fall term.

Applications for September 2027 entry close on 1 February 2027 for programs other than Engineering (documents due 15 February 2027) and on 15 January 2027 for Engineering programs other than Architecture (documents due 1 February 2027). International students have the same deadlines. Full-time applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies: winter 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 for degree and non-degree (13 November 2026 for post-degree); spring 2027 applications close 26 February 2027 for degree and non-degree (12 March 2027 for post-degree). Optometry closes 12 November 2026 and Pharmacy closes 6 January 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply

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