In the trend of multi-country applications this year, more and more study-abroad families are also considering Canadian institutions. Not all international students are in computer science; there are always those who prefer liberal arts and business. So, what are the popular liberal arts and business majors in Canada?
We have also compiled popular liberal arts and business programs such as Education, Business, Economics, Communication, and Sociology at top Canadian universities, summarizing course introductions, application requirements, employment prospects, and other abundant information for your reference.
Education
Education has always been a popular major for studying abroad in Canada and is one of the top ten majors with the best employment prospects. The field of Education includes pedagogy, teacher training, educational research, and more.
Representative institutions: University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Montreal, University of Alberta, etc.
University of Toronto OISE
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto is the top-ranked education school in Canada and 5th in the world, with a century-long history. It is also one of the largest education schools in North America, with over 100,000 alumni worldwide.
OISE is a purely graduate-level faculty, offering programs at the master's and doctoral levels. Currently, there are over 3,000 graduate students enrolled, including approximately 200 international students.
OISE comprises four departments: Applied Psychology and Human Development, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Leadership, Higher and Adult Education, and Social Justice Education. The teaching areas covered are very broad, and the curriculum is extremely rich.
Its master's degrees are divided into three categories: the research-focused Master of Arts (MA), the practice-oriented Master of Education (MEd), and the specialized teacher training program Master of Teaching (MT). Among them, both MEd and MT are highly suitable for international students to apply.
Popular Program: Master's in Developmental Psychology and Education
OISE's Master's in Developmental Psychology and Education (DPE) integrates psychology and education, emphasizing the combination of theory and practice. The program lasts one and a half years and aims to cultivate students for future careers in mental health, child development, early education, and special education.
Sample Curriculum
The program requires 10 major courses (8 completed at OISE, 2 can be taken remotely). Core courses include: Psychological Development and Educational Issues in Global Contexts, Special Education and Inclusive Education, Learning Disabilities, Emerging Technologies in Education and Special Education, Proactive Behavior Management, and Adolescent Mental Health.
Basic Application Requirements
Transcripts
Two letters of recommendation
Resume and personal statement
Non-English degree holders must submit TOEFL (93+) or IELTS (7+) scores
Some programs require GRE scores (waived for Fall 2021 applications)
Employment Prospects
As Canada's top university, the University of Toronto boasts an employment rate ranked third in North America. Taking the Master of Teaching (MT) and Child Studies & Education (CSE) as examples, graduates not only obtain a U of T master's degree but also an Ontario teaching certificate. 82% of graduates secure a job within one year of obtaining their teaching certificate.
However, the employment prospects of education are not limited to teaching. Much of the knowledge in education is interdisciplinary, such as psychology, social sciences, public policy, and leadership studies. Graduates can also pursue careers as consultants, researchers, psychologists, mental therapists, and more, with broad employment opportunities.
Business
Business has always been one of the most popular target majors for international students, with many choosing to study accounting, finance, economics, management, business analytics, and more.
Representative institutions: University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, Western University, McMaster University, York University, etc.
Western University Ivey Business School
Western University is one of the strongest business schools in Canada. Its Ivey Business School is on par with Harvard Business School and is one of the birthplaces of case-method teaching in North America.
Popular Program: Master of Science in Management
Ivey's Master of Science in Management (MSc) program lasts 16 months and emphasizes practical case-method teaching to develop students' leadership and professional skills. The program offers four specializations: Business Analytics, International Business, Digital Management, and International Business + CEMS-MIM.
Sample Curriculum
The core courses of the MSc program cover areas such as accounting, finance, leadership, marketing, operations, strategy, and business communication, with variations across the four specializations.
Taking the Business Analytics specialization as an example, core courses include: Big Data, Business Statistics, Programming, and Modeling.
Basic Application Requirements
Recent undergraduate graduates within two years with strong academic backgrounds
School transcripts
Resume
Two letters of recommendation
Non-English degree holders must provide TOEFL (100+) or IELTS (7+) scores
GRE/GMAT: Encouraged but not mandatory
Specific requirements vary slightly across specializations
Class Profile
Taking the Business Analytics specialization as an example, the 2021 cohort had 86 students with an average age of 23. The student body is diverse, hailing from 11 different countries, with 43% male and 57% female. 56% of students have a business background.
Employment Prospects
Ivey Business School boasts extensive networks and resources, providing excellent employment prospects for its students.
Using the 2019 Business Analytics cohort as an example, 96% of graduates found employment within six months of graduation, with an average annual salary of $73,988. 28% were non-Canadian citizens.
Economics
Western University Department of Economics
Western University's Department of Economics is equally top-notch, ranked as the number one economics graduate school in Canada, offering master's and doctoral programs.
Popular Program: Master of Financial Economics
Western University's Master of Financial Economics (MFE) is a 16-month graduate program that includes a summer internship.
Launched jointly by the Ivey Business School, the Faculty of Law, and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science in 2013, the program aims to cultivate students' quantitative analysis skills for careers in banking, investment banking, funds, and consulting firms in areas such as financial investment and risk management.
Sample Curriculum
Students must complete 9 required courses and 3 electives, covering areas such as finance, economics, business, and law, over 3 academic terms plus a summer internship.
Basic Application Requirements
Relevant undergraduate background
Transcripts (minimum GPA of 3.14)
Two letters of recommendation
Resume
Supplementary essays
GRE or GMAT scores
Non-English degree holders must provide TOEFL (86+) or IELTS (6+) scores
Employment Prospects
MFE graduates primarily pursue careers in risk management, investment analysis, trading, investment advising, and analysis, or in fields such as finance, financial modeling, compliance, wealth management, investment banking, and equity research.
Communication
Communication is a popular major among many liberal arts students, with relatively good employment prospects. Communication studies in Canada have significant advantages, offering comprehensive program options, advanced educational philosophies, and a more international atmosphere. The field is typically divided into several specializations, including journalism, advertising and marketing, mass communication, media production, and creative and performing arts.
Representative institutions: Carleton University, University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, Queen’s University, etc.
Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication
Carleton University's School of Journalism and Communication is widely recognized as the best journalism school in Canada. Founded in 1945, it has evolved into an innovative, diverse, and multidisciplinary school with about 1,900 students, offering research programs in journalism, communication and media studies, and media production and design.
Popular Program: MA in Communication
Carleton University's MA Program in Communication offers research studies in five areas:
- New communication technologies and their impact on society
- Communication, citizenship, and social relations
- Political economy of communication
- Communication and cultural policy
- History of media systems
Sample Curriculum
Students must choose two areas for research and thesis writing, and complete a designated research project and elective courses.
Basic Application Requirements
Two letters of recommendation
Resume
Statement of Intent
Writing sample
Transcripts
Non-English degree holders must provide TOEFL (86+) or IELTS (7+) scores
Employment Prospects
The school offers extensive co-op programs, frequently arranging internships at various media outlets, local radio stations, and TV stations. In a 2019 report, it ranked among the top 10 in Canada for employment rates.
Sociology
As an emerging liberal arts discipline in recent years, sociology encompasses aspects of society, economy, religion, politics, and more, making it relatively suitable for liberal arts students. However, it requires a relatively high level of English proficiency for international students.
Representative institutions: University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Ottawa, University of Montreal, etc.
UBC Department of Sociology
UBC's Department of Sociology enjoys global renown, ranking among the top two in Canada, with graduates spread across academic research and professional fields. In recent years, the admission rate has hovered around 20%.
Popular Program: MA in Sociology
UBC's MA program in Sociology combines coursework with a research thesis, spanning two years.
Students can choose one or more research areas from the following:
- Environment, community, and social movements
- Family and life course
- Gender
- Health and well-being
- Knowledge, culture, and power
- Race and immigration
- Work, economy, and globalization
Sample Curriculum
Students in the MA in Sociology must complete required courses, electives, and a research thesis.
Basic Application Requirements
Transcripts (overall B+)
Three letters of recommendation
Statement of Intent
GRE scores
Non-English degree holders must provide TOEFL (100+) or IELTS (7+) scores
Employment Prospects
UBC's Department of Sociology offers robust co-op programs, collaborating deeply with local businesses and organizations, ensuring broad employment prospects for graduates.
Alumni work at Statistics Canada, provincial healthcare departments, public service and non-profit organizations, and private enterprises of all sizes. Additionally, graduates have achieved significant success in academia, securing positions at top Canadian universities such as U of T, Western University, and University of Waterloo, as well as renowned international universities.
Furthermore, Canada's psychology, tourism, and hospitality management, among other liberal arts and business programs, are also highly popular.
Whether choosing sought-after quantitative programs or current popular liberal arts majors, it is essential to consider one's own background and future development ideas and to prepare adequately with a solid application plan.
With the trend of multi-country applications, competition for top Canadian universities is increasingly fierce. Applicants are advised to apply early rather than late. We wish everyone success in receiving offers from their dream schools!
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