Important note for students admitted to the BA as of Fall 2025:聽you will be required to complete at least one program component offered by an academic unit in the Faculty of Arts in order to graduate with a B.A. degree (list of Arts programs available here). Details to follow by December, 2024.

B.A. Program Options

For the Bachelor of Arts degree, complete any of the following four options:

1. The Multi-track system:
   • Select the following (from at least two different academic units - As of Fall 2025:聽one program must be selected from our list of Arts programs):
     • At least one Major concentration; and
     • At least one Minor concentration (unless enrolled in two Major concentrations)
       • This may be an approved non-Arts Minor offered by another Faculty.
     • Note for U0 students: Select courses from a variety of areas in your first year, from where you will be able to narrow your program choices later.
     • Note for all students: you may enrol in as many as four different Major and Minor Concentrations.
2. Honours programs:
   • You must satisfy specific departmental and Faculty requirements while maintaining strong academic standing (CGPA thresholds vary by program).
   • Honours programs demand a high degree of specialisation and are designed to prepare you for graduate study within a specific discipline.
   • NOTE: You must also complete a Minor concentration in a different academic discipline.听As of Fall 2025: one program must be selected from our list of Arts programs.
3. Joint Honours programs:
   • These allow you to study at the Honours level in two disciplines, combining Joint Honours components from any two Arts disciplines.听
4. Faculty program;
   • This is an approved selection of courses constituting a concentration in an intellectually coherent and inter-faculty field of studies.

Selecting Your Programs.

Step 1: Choose an area that fits your general academic interests and background. Your undergraduate bachelor's degree is intended to serve as a general preliminary step in the pursuit of major career or educational goals.

Step 2: Familiarize yourself with the academic regulations of the Faculty of Arts. An intended course plan may not be feasible if it requires the completion of too many credits from other faculties, or if it is not listed in the eCalendar.

Step 3: Enter your programs on Minerva by the listed periods for making program changes.

If you are undecided, consider the following:

• What are your preferred subjects, and in which departmental programs are they featured?
• Have you previously completed courses in these disciplines?
• Which programs contain more than one of these subjects?
• Is there a program which stands out to you above all others?
• Is an Honours or Faculty program a viable option for you?
• Do you still have room for electives in your degree?
• Which programs are related to your vocational or personal interests?
• What are your academic and career goals? Are there certain academic prerequisites that must be completed to pursue these?
• Are you seeking to develop or refine certain skills (analytical reasoning, writing, verbal communication, teamwork, independent work, laboratory research, computer skills, etc.)?
• Are there program requirements which will serve to help you focus on weak points (eg.: are you interested in a program requiring statistics, despite not being strong in math)?

If you are still unsure about you program choice:

• Consult the Degree Planning section of this website.

• Alternatively, you can consult the following resources:
  • Departmental academic advisors
  • Faculty advisors in Arts OASIS
  • Career Planning Service
  • Counselling Service
  • Reference Librarians

It is possible to change programs, if necessary, when you have consulted with Departmental advisors and Faculty academic advisors!