Co‑op
Examine how communication shapes media, culture, institutions, and governance, both locally and globally, in Wilfrid Laurier University's Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication Studies. This program is ideal for students who want to build a meaningful career in a world where communication has never mattered more.
You’ll develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills that are highly adaptable across all industries. You can also gain hands-on experience by applying to the accredited Arts co-op program and graduate ready to pursue a career in public relations, journalism, politics, non-profits, media and related fields.
Discover what makes this Laurier program unique and how you'll gain real-world experience.
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 on:
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!):
Explore a sample weekly schedule to see what your day-to-day might look like in this program.
Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses, and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.
Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.
Management Minor
The Management Minor is for students interested in adding management-specific education to their degree. This is a direct-entry, 4.0-credit minor that includes courses covering all the core pillars of business and economics.
Apply directly to Communication Studies with Management Minor on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) by choosing ‘Management Minor’ as your program enhancement.
These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:
Once you’re at Laurier, you can connect with an academic advisor in your first year for more information about pursuing a minor. In the meantime, check out other electives and minors to enhance your degree.
You can specialize in your degree by selecting elective courses in an optional concentration, for example:
The following opportunities allow you to pursue additional, related qualifications from another postsecondary institution:
Business Pathways
Enhance your degree with a Management Minor or get a head-start on graduate studies by applying to the BA + Master of Business Administration. Apply directly to either on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.
Graduate Degree Pathway
The BA+MA pathway allows you 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.
Media and Journalism Pathway
Laurier's exciting new partnership with Cardiff University in Wales offers you the opportunity to earn both a BA in Communication Studies and an MA from Cardiff's School of Media, Journalism and Culture in just 5 years.
OUAC Codes
When you apply on OUAC:
Communications (BA) with Co-op
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 must present the following:
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 above. 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.
If you've completed studies at another college or university, you may be eligible to transfer into Wilfrid Laurier University's Communication Studies (BA) program. Admission requirements vary depending on your academic background and the number of postsecondary courses you've completed.
To find out if you can transfer into this program, we encourage you to:
1. Review our transfer admission requirements to find the criteria that applies to your unique situation, including information about transfer credits and academic requirements.
2. Explore our transfer pathway opportunities to see how your previous studies may count toward this program.
Important Transfer Credit Information
Students who have completed (or will complete) 2.5 or more attempted postsecondary credits at another institution are not eligible for direct-entry co-op admission in this program.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.
Our Communication Studies (BA) graduates go on to a wide range of rewarding careers.
Here are just a few examples:
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
As a Laurier alum, you'll have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
The Faculty of Arts' accredited co-op program at Wilfrid Laurier University offers two co-op pathways and both give you 12 months of paid career experience before you graduate.
Here’s what you need to know:
Interested? Learn more about co-op in the Faculty of Arts.
99%employment rate for co‑op students – 2025 / 2026
Below is a breakdown of tuition fees and expenses for Laurier Arts students for one year (or two terms) studying full time. Fees are based on 2026/27 rates and are subject to increase. All fees are shown in Canadian dollars.
| Fee Type | Domestic Students | International Students |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,180 | $36,624 |
| Student Fees | $2,133 $4,018 with co-op |
$3,082 $4,967 with co-op |
| Textbook Fees | $500 | $500 |
See a full breakdown of your first-year expenses.
When you apply to Laurier you’ll be automatically assessed for entrance scholarships (based on your final admission average) and for in-course scholarships in your upper years (based on your Laurier GPA from the previous academic year). We also offer more than 700 competitive scholarships and awards, which require separate applications and may be awarded throughout the academic year.
This is primarily an in-person program, meaning you'll attend classes on campus and learn face-to-face with professors and classmates. When you register for courses, you'll be able to select from available sections and create your timetable.
In-person delivery gives you direct access to faculty, hands-on learning opportunities and a traditional university student experience.
Become a Laurier insider to get quick, fun and informative updates along your application journey.
Have 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?
