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2023-2024

The Undergraduate Calendar

 

 

Arts Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts

Second Bachelor Degrees

Before applying for another bachelor's degree, both external and University of Waterloo applicants are urged to determine whether a second degree is actually required for their purposes (in many cases, post-degree studies might be more appropriate). For details, students should consult the admissions office of the desired post-secondary education. Once students have decided to pursue a second degree at Waterloo, they should consult the Arts Undergraduate Office, the Office of the Registrar, or the academic advisor of the desired major.

Graduates of the University of Waterloo

Second Degree

Applicants who have previously completed a three-year or four-year undergraduate degree from the University of Waterloo will be considered for entry to an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. This option is intended for students exploring a new and distinct area of study, including students interested in a second BA degree. The Faculty offering the second degree will consult the department(s) concerned and will consider admission requirements in determining whether the request can be granted. 

Normally, transfer credits will be awarded for courses meeting the transfer credit criteria.

Admitted students are required to satisfy:

  • the BA degree and plan-level requirements current at the time of admission, and 
  • the requirements for the calculation of plan average(s) (see Transfer Credit for more details).

Degree Upgrade

Students who previously earned a general BA degree at the University of Waterloo may pursue a degree upgrade within the same major (e.g., from a Three-Year General History to an Honours History degree or from a Three-Year General Liberal Studies to a Four-Year General Liberal Studies). Graduates with a general degree who wish to upgrade will be admitted on a case-by-case basis.

Admitted students are required to satisfy the plan-level requirements current at the time the prior BA was awarded. Courses and grades used for the general degree are retained and also used for the upgrade degree.

Graduates of Other Post-Secondary Institutions

Applicants who have previously completed a three-year or four-year undergraduate degree at other post-secondary institutions will be considered for entry to an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. This option is intended for students exploring a new and distinct area of study, including students interested in a second BA degree.

Normally, transfer credits will be awarded for courses meeting the transfer credit criteria.

Admitted students are required to satisfy:
  • the BA degree and plan-level requirements current at the time of admission, and
  • the requirements for the calculation of plan average(s) (see Transfer Credit for more details).

Office of the Registrar
University of Waterloo
Ira G. Needles Hall
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519-888-4567