Global Studies (BA)

Cultivate and challenge modern insights into critical global issues affecting communities and societies worldwide. We are united by our common humanity but often divided by race, culture, class, gender and citizenship. Develop a deep understanding of complex problems like armed conflict, refugees, economic development, environmental change, and human rights, and learn how individuals, communities, and governments drive positive change.

Graduate with skills to tackle complex problems and contribute meaningfully to your community and workplace.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete, and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Tailor Your Studies: Choose from concentrations in Peace and Conflict, Culture and Globalization, or International Development, or study broadly across the program. Enhance your degree with French or Spanish and gain practical translation skills.
  • Career-ready Academics: Take courses with practical modules to develop essential skills like project management in global development contexts, or opt for the Social Entrepreneurship Minor to gain hands-on experience. 
  • Explore Critical Issues: Delve into global challenges such as conflict, inequality, and environmental sustainability. Address these complex issues through innovative classroom teaching and experiential learning opportunities.
  • Pathway to Grad Studies: Enhance your BA Global Studies application with a conditional offer to study an MA or MIPP at Laurier, or an MA in International Development abroad. 

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Co-op: Apply for the co-op program to complete three four-month work terms, gaining valuable real-world experience during your studies.
  • Real-World Projects: Participate in the Social Innovation in the City course through our partnership with the City of Waterloo. Gain practical experience, work on impactful projects, and apply for a paid summer internship to continue your work with community experts.
  • Field Courses Abroad: Participate in international field placements focusing on themes like peace and conflict resolution or economic development, often including volunteer experiences.
  • Develop Language Skills: Add a language such as French or Spanish to your degree and gain practical translation skills to enhance your resume.

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Core Courses

  • Introduction to Global Studies
  • Mapping Global Studies: Culture, Conflict, Development

Choose 8 more courses in topics that interest you.

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Culture Today
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Economics Without Numbers
  • Politics Beyond Borders
  • Revolution in the Modern World
  • Literature and Catastrophe
  • French, Italian, Arabic, German, or Spanish (1.0 credit in non-English language courses is required before you graduate)

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Introduction to International Development
  • War, Culture, and Conflict
  • The Global Economy
  • Global Migrations, Refugees, and Diasporas
  • Tourists, Tourism and the Globe
  • Peacebuilding in the Shadow of War
  • UN Sustainable Development Goals

Concentrations

Global Studies gives you flexibility to shape your degree according to your own interests. You can choose to take a range of courses across our curriculum, follow our research specialization track, or do a concentration in one of our three fields of study:

  • Globalization and Culture
  • International Development
  • Peace and Conflict Studies

 

Options and Minors

The Department of Global Studies hosts the Social Entrepreneurship Minor, a specialized degree component that will engage you in active social innovation, informed by principles of social justice and environmental sustainability

Other popular options and minors that you should consider as ways to customize your degree include:

  • Legal Studies Option
  • Sociology Minor
  • Teaching Option
  • Anthropology Minor
  • Political Science Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Graduate Degree Pathways 

At Home: Laurier MA or MIPP 

Apply for the Global Studies BA + MA and receive an offer of admission to the Honours BA and a conditional offer to graduate studies in either:  

Abroad: Sussex MA in International Development

You can combine this program with a Master of Arts in International Development from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. 

You'll complete four years at our Waterloo campus. Students who meet the progression requirements may then apply to the Sussex MA in International Development and are guaranteed an offer of admission to study in the UK for one year. Apply directly on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre. 

Business Pathways

Enhance your degree with a Management Option or get a head-start on graduate studies by applying to the BA in Combination with a Master of Business Administration with co-op. Apply directly to either on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre.

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • communications, public relations and outreach
  • global business development
  • international development
  • interpretation / translation
  • journalism
  • law (fields such as human rights, migration, trade)
  • negotiation and dispute resolution
  • refugee settlement and support
  • tourism management
  • urban planning

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate future-ready.

Future Laurier Arts students have two options to engage in co-op. You can apply in first-year to our co-op program and complete three-work terms of four months’ duration and gain valuable experience during their studies.

You can also get a head-start and apply for direct admission to our brand-new co-op program straight from high school in select Arts programs. In both pathways, you will gain 12 months of career experience.

Interested? Learn more about co-op in the Faculty of Arts.

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98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?