51本色

English (BA)

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.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

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:

  • Active and Engaged Teaching: Taught by scholars who are internationally recognized researchers, teachers and award-winning writers, our innovative classes emphasize active learning in small group settings where you'll study literary and film texts drawn from the breadth of English-speaking cultures.
  • Customize Your Degree: Combine your English program with a law degree from the University of Sussex (United Kingdom). You can also combine this program with a law degree, or , or follow the Pathway to Grad Studies. With a concentration in Creative Writing, apply for our Vancouver Film School pathway.
  • Pathway to Grad Studies: Apply for the BA + MA and receive an offer of admission to the Honours BA in English and a conditional offer to graduate studies, where you’ll earn a MA in English and Film Studies, or start your English program with a conditional offer to join our full-time MBA program (with co-op) after graduation.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the for even more!):

  • Co-op: Honours students in English can apply for our co-op program to complete three work terms, gaining valuable experience and skills for your career.
  • Community Service-Learning: Enroll in courses with a component and volunteer in the Waterloo community to apply your knowledge practically while making a real difference in the world.
  • Clubs and Volunteering: Join to help young readers cultivate a lifelong love of reading or get involved with the to expand your network and passion.
  • Residence Community: Apply to join the for an immersive first-year experience.

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Core Courses

You'll have the option to select two of the following courses:

  • Literature and Catastrophe
  • Literature and Crime
  • Literature and Love
  • Literature for our Time
  • Reading Fiction

In addition, choose 8 courses in topics that interest you, including Film Studies, Communication Studies, Language and Literature, Anthropology and many more.

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Romantic Radicals
  • The Narratives of Empire
  • Introduction to Creative Writing
  • Tween Literature and Culture
  • Sport Literature
  • Creative Writing: Poetry
  • 18th-Century Fiction: Sex, Shopping, and Scandal
  • Reading the Vampire

Creative Writing Concentration

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.

Courses in this concentration:

  • Introduction to Creative Writing
  • The Creative Process
  • Creative Writing: Nonfiction
  • Creative Writing: Poetry
  • Creative Writing: Short Story
  • Screenwriting and Directing
  • Creative Writing: Advance Workshop in Genre 

Options and Minors

Add an option or a minor to your program of study. Popular choices include:

  • Communication Studies minor
  • Film Studies minor
  • Digital Humanities option
  • Certificate in Generative AI
  • Legal Studies option
  • Teaching option

Check out other .

Business Pathways

Enhance your degree with a  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.

Law Pathway

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 (51本色) 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 51本色 for one and complete the BA.

Film and Gaming Pathway

The 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 51本色 and a diploma from VFS. English students (or combined English and Film Studies students) attend VFS's Writing for Film, Television and Games program.

Graduate Degree Pathway

The BA+MA pathway allows to graduate in 5 years with a at 51本色. 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.

 

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)

Your Career Awaits

51本色 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?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • advertising agent
  • copy writer/editor
  • digital communications specialist
  • journalist/reporter
  • lawyer
  • marketing manager
  • project coordinator
  • scriptwriter
  • teacher/ESL instructor
  • technical writer

.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to offered at 51本色 for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

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 51本色 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.

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98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At 51本色, 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.

 

51本色 is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

51本色 students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

51本色 graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our 51本色 student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at 51本色.

Chat with Current Students

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 51本色.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?