Canadian Studies

at UBC's

Vancouver Campus

In this interdisciplinary program, you’ll explore and think critically about questions like, “What did the masses of red and white at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics mean?” “What are the politics of apology?” “Is multiculturalism successful?” “How should Canada tackle climate change?” Learn about how the environment, indigenous cultures, urban planning, sovereignty, and even maple doughnuts add up to make a country.

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Program information

  • Campus: Vancouver
  • Faculty: Faculty of Arts
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
  • Length 4 yrs
  • Co-op Yes
    You can combine your studies with full-time, paid work at top local and international organizations.
  • Honours Yes
    You can study intense specialization in a single field.

Canadian Studies is an interdisciplinary program, with a large range of course selection – Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, Film Studies, Sociology, and History to name just a few – taught by professors from various departments in the Faculty of Arts. You may pursue a Major in Canadian Studies or a Minor concentration that complements other Major and Honours programs within the faculty.

Campus features

The UBC Library has a number of unique Canadian and British Columbian collections including both historical and literary material. Many rare publications, manuscripts, and other documents relate to pre-Confederation history, ethnic histories, and literary figures, and there is also an extensive photographic archive.

Your future

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including government, non-profit, business, law, communications, museums, the arts, tourism, education, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests, including:

  • Indigenous affairs officer
  • Indigenous outreach worker
  • Archivist
  • Biographer
  • Charitable organization director
  • Communications specialist
  • Community programs director
  • Conservator
  • Copywriter
  • Cultural anthropologist
  • Diplomat

Careers with Canadian Studies

Program requirements

English-language requirements

English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.

General admission requirements

IB Diploma Programme

  • Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.

IB Certificate Courses

  • IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
  • IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the UBC Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.

Degree-specific requirements: Arts

  • No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission

Related courses

The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.

  • Language Arts
  • Mathematics and Computation
  • Second Languages
  • Social Studies
  • Visual and Performing Arts
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