Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate AdmissionsGraduate Admissions

Communication Studies (BA)

waterloo

The ways people communicate are changing every day, yet the human need and ability to connect is stronger than ever. Gain critical skills that will enable you to negotiate the communication demands and challenges of contemporary industries. Your knowledge of mass media and critical perspective will prepare you to work in professional communications, politics, non-profit work, public relations or many professional postgraduate programs.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll have access to in the Communication Studies program:

  • Attend the Meet the Professors Night and have a one-on-one conversation with you professors.
  • Live in the Film and Media Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
  • Submit your academic work to the Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts for a chance to be published.
  • Work with faculty members on grant-funded projects.
  • Participate in experiential learning opportunities through simulated workplace projects within your courses.

Check out the Communication Studies Experience Guide.

 

2020 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2019/20

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term)     OUAC code: UKL
Ontario High School Admission Requirements
  • Minimum admission range: low 70s.
  • Competitive admission range based on last year’s admitted students: low 80s.
  • English at 60%.
Canadian Admission Requirements (Outside of Ontario)

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 Ontario High School Admission Requirements.
International Admission Requirements

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements; you must also meet all program-specific requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.

English-Proficiency Requirement

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 experience success 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.

Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program

The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) program is an academic English program for Laurier applicants who have to prove English proficiency. 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 LEAF program.
College Pathways

Graduates from a two-year general Arts and Science diploma program can apply to Communication Studies on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. To be considered for admission to the Faculty of Arts, graduates must have an overall average of 75% in their program, as well as have achieved a minimum of 60% in a 4U English course or equivalent.

Learn more about our college transfer agreement.

Other Admission Requirements

Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for university students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more. 

Your Next Steps

Apply Now Strengthen Your Application Important Dates

Program Options and Courses

Concentrations

Communication Studies examines the forms and practices of communication through six areas of emphasis. Choose up to two concentrations to focus on:

  • media and communication history
  • media and cultural theory
  • visual communication
  • global communication
  • cultural and creative industries
  • digital media studies

Options and Minors

Looking to add more to your degree? These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

  • Media History
  • Canadian Communication in Context
  • 4.0 elective credits in courses that interest you

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introduction to Criminology
  • Introduction to Psychology I
  • Environment, Sustainability and Society

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Introduction to Creative Industries
  • Critical Advertising Studies
  • Internet Studies

Similar Programs

Co-op

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 with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

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.

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"This program opens up many doors for students. It helped me develop critical thinking, writing techniques and advanced social skills. I really enjoyed how course content was applicable to everyday life and courses were taught by passionate instructors value the opinions of students."

Victoria Vercillo, Communications Studies graduate

"Choosing a university and a program can be daunting. But Communication Studies at Laurier is a degree you can take anywhere you want to go. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, students can apply what they learn in the classroom to many different industries and roles."

Laura Neil, Communications Studies graduate

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • advertising planner / buyer
  • announcer / broadcaster / host
  • corporate communications
  • editor / copywriter / publisher
  • journalist / reporter / photographer
  • marketing coordinator
  • social and digital media director
  • technical writer

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

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 Laurier 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 Laurier.

"Television Studies was an incredible course. It taught me how to look at media differently through analyzing television shows – something most of us watch on a daily basis. It was insightful and interesting! And the professors are great!"

Julia Collis, Communications Studies graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.

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