Study Humanities & Social Sciences in Canada

Have you ever wondered why humans behave the way they behave? Driven by curiosity, humans never stop seeking an explanation for interaction between humans. If you are seeking for something that is not technology and mathematics, humanities and social sciences are for you!

The wide range of fields provides you with plenty of freedom to choose what you are passionate about. In many ways, it is a more enjoyable option for students who are all about colouring their opinions about the world and build a deeper understanding and interest in ourselves. 

What is Humanities & Social Sciences about?

In short, humanities and social sciences are those subjects which examine and explain human beings. From experience, relationship to communication, humanities and social sciences teach you to understand and appreciate values in society. 

Also read: 

• Study in Canada Guide
• Why study in Canada?

What are the differences between Humanities & Social Sciences?

However, there are some stark differences between humanities and social sciences. Before jumping right into the courses, check the table below:

What are the major fields in Humanities & Social Sciences?

There are multiple disciplines in this field that can teach you more than memorizing histories and studying literature. No matter which discipline you chose, you can definitely leverage the potential you have! Here are some major fields you should know:

1. Political Science
Political science is a social science which deals with systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts, and political behaviour. It tries to explain human behaviour from politics and how to maximize one’s influence through politics.

2. Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It involves analysing language form, language meaning, and language in context. Generally, poems, novels and literature would be your resources to study.

3. Law
Law is a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behaviour. It has been defined both as "the science of justice" and "the art of justice". Law regulates and ensures that individuals or a community adhere to the will of the state.

4. Psychology
Psychology is the science of behaviour and mind. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as feeling and thought. It is a very popular choice among students as it is interesting to understand human scientifically.

5. Economics
Economy includes everything related to the production and consumption of goods and services. Students in economics can produce economic forecasts, perform risk analysis and advising on policy or business strategy accordingly.

6. History
A subject that everyone would be taught in school. History is beyond memorizing major events that happened but through history, you can learn about the motives and rationale behind every historical decision and experience.

What are the entry requirements and qualifications?

The minimum entry requirements vary between programs and level, so read the course information on the website of the institution of your choice carefully and contact them to ask for advice if you need. Generally, in order to study Humanities and Social Sciences in Canada, there is a range of entry requirements that you have to take note of.

English language requirement
You may need to submit the results of an English language test to apply for the course. The level of English language skill required can be different for your student visa application and institution enrolment. IELTS is one of the English language tests you can consider as it is widely accepted including Canada. 

Academic requirements
Again, the minimum requirements for each institution are different so make sure that you check with the institution.  A Foundation Course, also called a bridging study, can help you meet the entry requirements that are same as the academic requirements of a Canada high school qualification. It is usually a year-long and are offered by most tertiary education institutions. 

Also read: General Visa Requirement for Canada

How long will I be studying this programme?

In Canada, the programme is available for a different level of studies including Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree and PhD and the duration of study for these levels are different. The duration of study for a programme of the same level offered by different institutions could be different too.

How much does it cost to study Humanities & Social Sciences?

The cost of studying a Humanities and Social Sciences related course depends on your level of study level and institution. Studying in Canada can be relatively more expensive. Here are the estimated fees of studying Humanities and Social Sciences in Canada according to study levels:

Also read:

• Economic outlay of Canada
• Lifestyle in Canada
• Cost of Living in Canada

What are the job opportunities?

There are plenty of opportunities depending on your chosen field. Here to name a few job opportunities that you can find in this current market:

• Journalist
• Teacher
• Lawyer
• Social worker
• Campaign director
• Political Secretary
• Economist
• Psychologist
• Therapist
• Author
• Human Resource Executive

Also read: 

• Salary outlay in Canada
• Study and Work in Canada

Universities in Canada that offer Humanities & Social Sciences courses

The demand for Humanities and Social Sciences graduates is on the rise. Many universities and colleges offer related programmes to produce more graduates in the industry. Here are some institutions in Canada that provide programmes in this discipline:

1. University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo started operations in 1957 at the height of the Cold War. The University was among the first in the world to offer students access to powerful computers of that era. Today, it is ranked 173 in the QS World University Rankings 2020. Studying for a degree in the University of Waterloo can cost a whopping RM160,000 per year!

2. Thompson Rivers University

Thompson Rivers University is a university located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The University offers over 140 on-campus programs across its nine faculties and schools. International enrolment exceeds 1,750 students per semester, with students coming from 85 nations worldwide.It offers a great variety of Humanities and Social Sciences related programmes which have 2 intakes annually.

3. University of Alberta

University of Alberta is one of the top five universities in Canada and the top 100 in the world. There are more than 200 undergraduate programs and 18 faculties across five campuses with more than 7,000 international students. 

4. Queen’s University

Queen’s University is located in Kingston Ontario. The school is home to international students from more than 100 countries. Queen's is a co-educational university with more than 23,000 students and over 131,000 alumni living worldwide. Students may apply for financial aid such as the Ontario Student Assistance Program and Canada Student Loans and Grants through the federal and provincial governments.

The financial aid provided may come in the form of loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, fellowships, debt reduction, interest relief, and work programs. According to Maclean’s magazine, it is in the top ten for Canadian universities in major subjects such as Computer Science, Math, Engineering, Nursing, Environmental Science, Education, and more.

5. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a public research university with campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, UBC is British Columbia's oldest university. The university has ranked among the top three universities in Canada.

6. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. As of Fall 2017, the University of Toronto offers over 700 undergraduate programs in Humanities & Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Commerce & Management, Computer Science, Engineering, Kinesiology & Physical Education, Music and Architecture.

7. Western University

The University of Western Ontario, corporately branded as Western University as of 2012 and commonly shortened to Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. Campus life there mirrors the variety of the city itself with numerous clubs and organisations offering students everything from career services to health and wellness to competitive athletics.

8. McMaster University

McMaster University is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It operates six academic faculties: the DeGroote School of Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Science, and Science. It is a member of the U15, a group of research-intensive universities in Canada. McMaster University is co-educational and has over 27,000 undergraduate and over 4,000 post-graduate students. Alumni and former students reside across Canada and in 139 countries.