Arts and Social Science Degrees in Canada Explained

What a BA covers in Canada

In Canada, most humanities and social-science subjects — history, English, philosophy, sociology, political science, psychology, economics, communications and many others — are studied through a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Some social sciences (such as psychology or economics) may also be offered as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) when the program is more quantitative or lab-based.

A BA is built from courses worth credits (often counted in credit hours or course units). You combine required courses, courses inside your chosen subject, and electives from across the university to reach the total needed to graduate. The exact rules live in each university's official academic calendar, which is the document you should rely on.

• Humanities: history, English, philosophy, languages, classics
• Social sciences: sociology, political science, economics, psychology, anthropology, communications
• Some quantitative social sciences may be offered as a BSc as well as a BA

General BA vs honours BA

Many Canadian universities offer two versions of a BA: a general (or "major") degree and an honours degree. An honours BA usually requires more courses in the main subject, a higher level of specialization, and sometimes a stronger academic standing or a final-year research project or thesis. A general BA is broader and often shorter in required depth.

Honours is frequently expected if you plan to apply to graduate school in that discipline, but a general degree is a complete, valid credential for many careers. Because the difference between general and honours — and any academic-standing rules — varies by university, confirm the specifics in the official academic calendar.

• General/major BA: broad, fewer required major courses
• Honours BA: more depth, possible thesis, sometimes a standing requirement
• Honours is often preferred for graduate-school applications — verify per program

Majors, minors, and combinations

Your major is the subject you concentrate in. On top of a single major, Canadian BA students can often build several structures: a major plus one or two minors (smaller secondary concentrations), a double major (two full majors), or a joint/combined major (one integrated program spanning two subjects, such as economics and political science).

These combinations let you tailor a degree to your goals — for example pairing sociology with communications, or economics with mathematics. The available combinations, and how many credits each requires, are set by the faculty of arts and published in the calendar.

• Major: your main concentration
• Minor: a smaller, secondary concentration
• Double major: two full majors in one BA
• Joint/combined major: one integrated program across two subjects

Declaring a major and credit requirements

At many Canadian universities you can begin a BA undeclared, take a mix of introductory courses in first year, and then declare (choose) your major before second year. Some programs admit you directly into a department instead. Entry into competitive or limited-space majors can have its own course or grade requirements set by the department.

Graduation depends on completing the total credits the degree requires, including a minimum number within your major and a spread of breadth or distribution requirements across subject areas. Always plan against the official program requirements rather than a general assumption, because credit totals and rules differ by university and faculty.

How this fits the study-permit framework

A BA in the arts or social sciences is a normal undergraduate degree at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). For international students, what matters for a study permit is that the school is a DLI and that you meet the program's admission requirements — not the specific arts subject you choose.

This is general information, not immigration advice. Study-permit rules change, so confirm current requirements and DLI status on the official Government of Canada (IRCC) website before you act.