Political science (BA major)
Admissions
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic student, from choosing a program and reviewing admission requirements to submitting your application and reporting your grades.
If you have questions, talk to a student recruiter or attend one of our events.
Courses
You’ll need to complete 9,0 units of political science courses at the 100- and 200-levels and 15 units of political science courses at the 300- or 400-level to earn a major in political science.
Honours program
The honours program helps students develop skills designed for graduate school or for writing/research intensive careers. You will be part of a close-knit student cohort and work closely with a faculty supervisor on your honours thesis.
Admission to the honours program requires a GPA of 6.0 in at least 7.5 units of political science courses numbered at the 100- or 200-level. We recommend that students take a broad range of political science courses including at least one on Canadian politics, one on comparative politics, one on international politics and one on political theory.
If you're interested in pursuing an honours degree, contact the Honours Advisor, Dr. Scott Watson, before your third year.
Congratulations to our 2025 Honours students!
Maci Clements, "Paternalism under the Guise of Partnership: How Modern Treaties in Canada Fall Short in Building Nation-to-Nation Relationships Between Indigenous Governments and the Crown" (Committee: Gina Starblanket, Heidi K. Stark)
Coco Cunningham, “Double Veterans: An Analysis of Multiple Perpetrator Rape During the Vietnam War as an Indirect Strategic Tool for Bonding and Camaraderie among American Troops” (Committee: Feng Xu, Sujin Lee)
Mackenzie Duggan, "Federalism, Fear, and Fairness: Affective Politics in Alberta's Equalization Discourse" (Committee: Justin Leifso, Penny Bryden)
Hannah Gardner, "Feeding the Anti-Woke Appetite: An Analysis of Jordan Peterson's Appeal to an Anti-Woke Audience on YouTube" (Committee: Andrew Wender, Simon Carroll)
Lily Gaetz, "Pronouns, Populism, and Panic: Framing Alberta's Gender Identity Politics" (Committee: Justin Leifso, Thea Cacchioni)
Aiden Kliesch, "Citizen-Soldiers, Civic Virtue, and South Korea: Why Universal Conscription is not an Inculcator of Republican Virtue" (Committee: Simon Glezos, Colin Macleod)
Bella-Sol Roy-Gelinas, "Natural Resources, Local Responses: Exploring Critical Mineral Policy Approaches in the Arctic" (Committee: Will Greaves, Scott Watson)
Gaby Rumohr, "A Permanently Temporary Workforce: Examining Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program and its Role in Nation-Building" (Committee: Oliver Schmidtke, CindyAnn Rose-Redwood)
Bethany Shymko, "Wife-Battering or Domestic Violence? A Foucauldian Genealogy of Intimate Partner Violence Policy in Canada" (Committee: Justin Leifso, Eugene Dim)
Skyla Thomas, “The Future of European Democracy: Youth Voting in the 2024 European Parliament Elections and the Influences of the Far-Right and Euroscepticism” (Committee: Amy Verdun, Oliver Schmidtke)
Double major
You can pursue a double major of political science in combination with other disciplines. Reasons you might want to pursue a double major:
- political science and environmental studies for a career as an environmental policy analyst
- political science and gender studies for a career in women's advocacy and policy development
- political science and economics for a career in international relations and economic development
There are a few combinations not allowed, but generally you can be creative.
Minors & specializations
A minor is an optional program that allows you to study in an area outside of your major program area. A minor in political science requires:
- 6 units of courses numbered at the 100 or 200 level
- 9 units of courses numbered at the 300 or 400 level
Option in European Studies
The European Studies Option is designed for majors and honours students in political science who want to graduate with a concentration in European politics.
Opportunities include internships and study tours to the EU institutions in Brussels, exchange opportunities, West Coast Model EU and many others.
Related programs
Funding
UVic offers scholarships, bursaries, awards and other funding opportunities to help you further your education and succeed in your studies.
Political science scholarships
Most scholarships are awarded based on recommendations made by the department. However, some require a separate application form.
Awards for political science students
Our recent scholarship winners
Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)
The Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Award (JCURA) supports students who complete a research project under the mentorship of a faculty supervisor.
Full-time third and fourth year students with a GPA of 7.0 or above are eligible to apply. Each successful student receives a $1,500 credit in their UVic account.
Our recent JCURA award winners
Valerie Kuehne Undergraduate Research Awards (VKURA)
The Valerie Kuehne Undergraduate Research Award is an internship opportunity for first- and second-year students to gain research-enriched and applied experiences in their field of study. Students gain experience working within a research environment that is collaborative and collegial with direct support from a faculty mentor.
Career options
Our graduates are well-trained and learn skills in research, writing, data and policy analysis and public presentation. Political science students find work with government agencies and non-profit organizations. They also work across the private sector, in journalism and consulting. Many of our students go on to law school or graduate school.
Co-op
Our optional co-operative education (co-op) program gives you hands-on paid work experience related to what you're studying. It's the perfect way to develop your skills and find a career you love.
Learn more about what co-op is, how it works with your degree and what to expect as a co-op student.
Political Science co-op students get work experience in research, policy analysis and development, project management, community development and media/communications.
Sample jobs and employers
- BC Healthy Communities – Victoria Youth Council coordinator
- National Defence and the Canadian Forces – Geopolitical and Maritime Security research assistant
- Victoria Disability Resource Centre – workshop program coordinator
- Land Trust Alliance of BC – community outreach officer
- Parks Canada – Gulf Islands National Park Reserve survey coordinator
Questions? Contact the Political Science Co-op adviser
Hands-on learning
Legislative and Parliamentary Internship Programs
The BC Legislative Internship Program lets Canadian university graduates observe the daily workings of the Legislature first-hand and assist Members of the Legislative Assembly during the parliamentary session. The program is open to BC residents who have a recent bachelor’s degree from a Canadian university. Application deadline: January 31. For more information, contact Dr. Justin Leifso.
The Parliamentary Internship Program welcomes young professionals to Parliament Hill September-June. The paid, non-partisan interns are selected through a national competition. Parliamentary interns meet with senior policymakers, diplomats, journalists, scholars, politicians and leaders in civil society. Application deadline: January 31.
Thailand Field School
We’ve partnered on a new field school in northern Thailand examining policies of development and the environment. Read about the Thai Field School in the Ring.
The 1.5 unit, third-year level cross-listed course (POLI 391 / GDS 391) involves a week of intensive classroom study at UVic then it’s off to Thailand for 2.5 weeks of experiential learning.
This field school is unique as priority is given to students usually underrepresented in overseas opportunities. Funding covers the entire costs of the field school for up to 7 students and partial funding for another 3.
For more information about the next Thai Field School, contact Robyn Fila in the Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives (CAPI).
Community Engaged Learning
With community-engaged learning (CEL), you'll connect course content with real-world experiences. You’ll contribute to communities and build your understanding, your CV and your network. There are over 100 opportunities for CEL in the social sciences at UVic.
Examples of CEL activities in Political Science:
- The B.C. Legislative Internship program offers first-hand experience in our parliamentary system and contribute directly to the work of the executive and legislative branches of government.
- The Model UN Club simulates UN discussions and formats. Students organize conferences in Victoria and attend the annual National Model UN conference in New York City.
To find out more about CEL opportunities in Political Science, contact celc1@uvic.ca or 250-472-5667.
Forms
Program planning worksheets