Step into a world where language and storytelling come alive. Our English program invites you to delve into historic novels, contemporary works, graphic novels, and more, all within their rich cultural and historical contexts. Master the art of interpreting fiction, drama, poetry, and non-fiction while honing your critical reading, analytical, and writing skills.
This dynamic program not only prepares you for careers in professional writing, communication, editing, publishing, law, and education, but also equips you with the expertise needed to thrive in today’s interconnected world.
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:
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!):
You'll have the option to select two of the following courses:
In addition, choose 8 courses in topics that interest you, including Film Studies, Communication Studies, Language and Literature, Anthropology and many more.
The English program offers you the opportunity to work towards a concentration in Creative Writing.
This concentration will help you think and practice beyond the usual forms of academic writing; and offer you real-world experience in using your creative, analytical, and editorial skills to develop writing for professional publications.
Add an option or a minor to your program of study. Popular choices include:
Check out other options to enhance your degree.
Enhance your degree with a Management Option or get a head-start on graduate studies by applying to the BA + Master of Business Administration with co-op. Apply directly to either on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.
You can combine this program with a law degree (LLB) from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. Our Bachelor of Laws (University of Sussex, UK) and Bachelor of Arts (Laurier) can be completed in six years.
You'll complete your first two years at our Waterloo campus. Students who meet the progression requirements may then apply to the UK law program and are guaranteed an offer of admission; there is no requirement to write the LSAT entrance exam. After three years abroad for your LLB, you'll return to Laurier for one and complete the BA.
The Vancouver Film School (VFS) pathway gives you the opportunity to train at Canada’s leading school for filmmaking. In only four years, students in the VFS pathway complete an honours BA from Laurier and a diploma from VFS. English students (or combined English and Film Studies students) attend VFS's Writing for Film, Television and Games program.
The BA+MA pathway allows to graduate in 5 years with a BA and Masters of Arts at Laurier. Apply for the BA+MA and receive an offer of admission to the Honours BA and a conditional offer to graduate studies, where you’ll earn a MA.
Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.
Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.
Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.
We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.
If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.
The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.
Students applying to this program from another post-secondary institution are encouraged to review our transfer-specific requirements. This page will show you the admission requirements for your unique transfer situation and provide more details about transferring to Laurier.
College graduates applying to Laurier’s English program may be eligible for admission with one of our block transfer agreements or articulation agreements with specific college partners.
Note: Students who have completed or will be completing 2.5 or more attempted credits at other postsecondary institutions will not be considered for admission to the direct entry co-op program.
Learn more about our college pathway opportunities.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
Laurier English students have gone on to pursue a wide range of exciting careers in traditional and non-traditional areas. Our alumni stress the importance of writing, communication and analytical skills — command of language is crucial to all fields — and demonstrate how fundamental English and literary studies have been to success in postgraduate education and careers straight out of undergraduate degrees.
Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
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.
98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024
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.
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.
Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.
Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?
