Program overview
Admission Requirements
Intakes

Last updated on 2025-11-18

Program overview

Program overview

Earn an English degree at Waterloo and gain valuable paid work experience through the co-op program. This program allows you to specialize in various areas such as Digital Media Studies, Global Literature, or Technical Writing. With over 150 undergraduate courses available, students can explore their passion for the written word while developing essential skills in communication, critical thinking, and analysis. The program is designed to prepare graduates for diverse career paths, whether in technical communication, creative writing, public relations, or other fields. The faculty consists of internationally recognized scholars, ensuring a high-quality educational experience.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Arts - Honours Arts and Business - English - Literature (Co-op) program is structured to provide a comprehensive education over a four-year period. Students will:

  • Choose one of four majors at the end of the first year: Creative and Professional Writing, Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication, Literature, or Literature and Rhetoric.
  • Engage in a co-op program that alternates between study and work terms, typically starting in the second year.
  • Participate in a study/co-op sequence that integrates classroom learning with real-world experience.
  • Have the option to customize their degree with additional areas of focus, such as Communication Design, Creative Writing, or Technical Writing.

Students can also choose to study abroad, enhancing their educational experience and global perspective. The program is available as both a co-op and regular program, allowing flexibility in how students wish to pursue their education.

Featured Experiences

The Bachelor of Arts - Honours Arts and Business - English - Literature (Co-op) program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

  • Co-op opportunities that provide relevant paid work experience, allowing students to apply their education in real-world settings.
  • Small class sizes, typically capped at 40 students, fostering a close-knit learning environment where students can connect with peers and professors.
  • Access to a wide range of undergraduate courses, with the flexibility to explore different areas of interest within the English discipline.
  • Engagement in projects that encourage collaboration and critical thinking, such as the Arts First course in the first year.
  • Possibility to gain up to two years of valuable work experience through the co-op program, enhancing employability upon graduation.

Career Options

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts - Honours Arts and Business - English - Literature (Co-op) program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

  • Marketing and Communications Specialist: Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote products and services.
  • Communications Coordinator: Manage internal and external communications for organizations, ensuring clear messaging.
  • Technical Writer: Create user manuals, guides, and documentation for technical products and services.
  • Content and Project Specialist: Oversee content creation and project management for various media platforms.
  • Teacher: Educate students in English language and literature, fostering a love for reading and writing.

Other potential roles include Digital Publishing Assistant, Communications Specialist, and Junior Editor, showcasing the diverse opportunities available to graduates in writing, publishing, and communications fields.

 

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

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