What Are the Different Bachelor's Degrees in Canada?

Planning for postsecondary education is not just selecting a career but understanding the path one needs to take to achieve their professional goal. One of the important steps is to learn about the different degrees, diplomas and certificate programs offered by higher education institutions. Once you understand the options available to you, it will be easier to select the right pathway.

Different Bachelor's Degrees

If you decide to do a bachelor’s degree, understand the different terms used for undergraduate studies and the classification of bachelor's degrees.

Universities in Canada refer to institutions that can award degrees. Canadian universities offer undergraduate (bachelor’s) degrees, and many universities offer graduate (master’s and doctoral) degrees.

Colleges in Canada refer to institutions that typically award diplomas and certificate programs. However, some of these colleges may grant a few bachelor’s degrees. Unlike the U.S., the term ‘universities’ and ‘colleges’ are not the same for postsecondary institutions in Canada.

Major is your main area of study. It involves in-depth learning of a particular discipline. Students should choose a major they enjoy, be good at, and be motivated to perform.

Minor is your side interest in study. You can take it alongside your major to help in your intended career plans. A minor is not a degree. It is a way to learn other subjects.

Different Bachelor's Degrees in Canada

Undergraduate degree is the first degree a student completes at a university. It is also called a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree. Students who pursue a bachelor’s degree are called undergraduates.

The two major categories of undergraduate degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). Within these two categories, there are degrees like the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), and Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.), and many more.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree is awarded to students who pursue an undergraduate degree in humanities, social science, languages and culture, or fine arts.

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree is awarded to students who pursue an undergraduate degree in engineering, computer technology, physical science, or natural science.

A bachelor’s degree is further classified as general or honours.

General bachelor’s degree is typically a three-year full-time study program. The focus is often on a range of subjects. Students can customize their studies to their interests and intended careers. One should not confuse it with the Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.), one of the many general bachelor’s degrees.

Honours bachelor’s degree is typically a four-year full-time study program with higher credit requirements than a general degree. The focus is often on a particular discipline with a wide range of course options. Honours degree programs may be suitable for students who are strong academically, enjoy a challenging learning environment, and wish to pursue a master’s degree.

In Canada, universities may write an honours degree with an “H” preceding the degree abbreviation. For example, the Ivey Honours Business Administration (HBA) program is a reputed and recognized four-year honours bachelor’s business administration program. In this HBA program, students can also do a dual degree in five years—an HBA degree and a bachelor’s degree in another academic field.

Some universities offer bachelor’s degrees ‘with’ honours. For this degree, students undertake an honours project requiring a higher specialization and maintaining high academic standards.

In short, an honours bachelor’s degree (typically four years) requires more courses and higher academic achievement than a general degree (typically three years).

Most universities in Canada offer three-year and four-year bachelor’s degree programs depending on the province or whether the program is general or honours. For example, in Quebec, a general undergraduate degree is a three-year program since most students in Quebec complete the two-year cégep program before enrolling for a bachelor’s degree. In British Columbia and most universities in Ontario, a general undergraduate degree is a four-year program. A four-year bachelor’s degree is required to enter most postgraduate courses in Canada.

Some universities may offer five-year bachelor’s degree programs with a year of co-op/internship built into the program. It is a great way to get first-hand work experience, especially for international students.

Dual bachelor’s degree usually takes five years of full-time study to complete the requirements of two bachelor’s degrees simultaneously in two different fields. The courses you take are not different from regular degree programs, but you are likely to do more courses at one time. If you are interested in two areas of study, look into universities offering dual degree programs.

Bachelor’s degree with double major is a single undergraduate degree with a specialization in two same or different fields. Having a double major provides a deeper understanding of two subjects. It can lead to better opportunities and potentially a higher salary.

Which Bachelor’s Degree is Better?

Some universities give the option to choose between a B.A. and a B.Sc. degree for the same major. A B.A. degree allows one to study a wide range of subjects, whereas a B.Sc. degree focuses on science and mathematics. For example, the University of Waterloo offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Psychology. In the B.A. program, 40% of the upper-year classes are Psychology courses, and the remaining classes are elective courses. In the B.Sc. program, most upper-year classes are in Psychology and Science courses. Both degrees offer equal value to students, but it depends on your preference and what you want to do after graduation. A B.Sc. degree in the same major is better than a B.A. degree if you want to do postgraduate studies or work. A B.A. degree is good if you want to work right after your bachelor’s degree.

Conclusion

Many universities in Canada offer different bachelor’s degree options to students. Depending on the university and the program, you can pursue either a general bachelor’s degree, an honours bachelor’s degree, a bachelor’s degree with honours, a dual bachelor’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree with double major.

Research university websites to find the program you are interested in and check the program length, admission requirements, and program details offered by different universities. If you want to know more about the different degree options at a university, and guidance on what degree and university would be a good fit for you, contact us at admissionelements@gmail.com or book a 1-Hour Session Package.