Political Science

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Political Science

BA, iBA

Offered by

Liberal Arts & Professional Studies


Offered at

Keele Campus


Degrees offered

BA, iBA


Ways to study

Full-Time, Part-Time


Entry

  • Fall - Yes (first and upper year)
  • Winter - Yes (first and upper year)
  • Summer - Yes (first and upper year)

Applied Learning Opportunities


OUAC Code

  • YUE (iBA)
  • YUE (BA)

About the Program

Explore and understand the actions of governments, judicial systems and political parties. Analyze significant political movements and how power relations function while also learning how the democratic process works. Led by internationally renowned faculty, our Political Science program encourages you to analyze social and political trends through rich, diverse courses that focus on global politics, political economy and power, international development and inequality, social justice, democracy and security. The program supports discussion, critical thinking and analysis of current issues, global and local, helping you understand today’s most important challenges. You’ll build strong research, writing and analytical skills that are valuable across many careers. If you’re interested in politics, global issues or social change, this program provides a solid foundation for careers in government, law, policy and international organizations. 

Requirements

iBA

Requirements for admission:
  • Alberta High School Diploma
  • ELA30-1 or English 30
  • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

      BA

      Requirements for admission:
    • Alberta High School Diploma
    • ELA30-1 or English 30
    • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
      • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

        iBA

        Requirements for admission:
      • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
      • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
      • And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
        • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

          BA

          Requirements for admission:
        • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
        • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
        • And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
          • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

            iBA

            Requirements for admission:
          • Baccalauréat Général
              • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
              • A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

              BA

              Requirements for admission:
            • Baccalauréat Général
                • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                • A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

                iBA

                Requirements for admission:
              • Successful completion of the final year of senior studies
                • Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
                • Some programs require a higher GPA.
                  • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                  BA

                  Requirements for admission:
                • Successful completion of the final year of senior studies
                  • Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
                  • Some programs require a higher GPA.
                    • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                    iBA

                    Requirements for admission:
                  • Diploma with a total of at least six units, including prerequisites, and grades of 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.
                      • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                      • CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

                      BA

                      Requirements for admission:
                    • Diploma with a total of at least six units, including prerequisites, and grades of 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.
                        • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                        • CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

                        iBA

                        Requirements for admission:
                      • One year of CEGEP
                      • 2 semesters of English (code 603) / Français (code 601)
                      • And ten additional academic courses (high-school equivalent courses not accepted)
                          • Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
                          To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                          BA

                          Requirements for admission:
                        • One year of CEGEP
                        • 2 semesters of English (code 603) / Français (code 601)
                        • And ten additional academic courses (high-school equivalent courses not accepted)
                            • Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
                            To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                            iBA

                            Requirements for admission:
                          • Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate
                              • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                              BA

                              Requirements for admission:
                            • Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate
                                • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                iBA

                                Requirements for admission:
                              • Lise Diplomasi
                                  • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                  BA

                                  Requirements for admission:
                                • Lise Diplomasi
                                    • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                    iBA

                                    Requirements for admission:
                                  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations
                                      • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                                      • GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
                                      To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
                                      The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

                                      BA

                                      Requirements for admission:
                                    • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations
                                        • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                                        • GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
                                        To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
                                        The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

                                        iBA

                                        Requirements for admission:
                                      • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
                                          • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                          BA

                                          Requirements for admission:
                                        • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
                                            • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                            iBA

                                            Requirements for admission:
                                          • International Baccalaureate Diploma
                                            • IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
                                              • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                                              • Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
                                              To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
                                              The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

                                              BA

                                              Requirements for admission:
                                            • International Baccalaureate Diploma
                                              • IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
                                                • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                                                • Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
                                                To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
                                                The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.

                                                iBA

                                                Requirements for admission:
                                              • Completion of one of the following:
                                                • All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
                                                • Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
                                                • Indian School Certificate (ISC)
                                                • Intermediate Examination Certificate
                                                • Pre-University Examination Certificate
                                                  • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                  BA

                                                  Requirements for admission:
                                                • Completion of one of the following:
                                                  • All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
                                                  • Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
                                                  • Indian School Certificate (ISC)
                                                  • Intermediate Examination Certificate
                                                  • Pre-University Examination Certificate
                                                    • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                    iBA

                                                    Requirements for admission:
                                                  • Manitoba High School Diploma
                                                  • English 40S
                                                  • And four additional 40S level academic subjects (no more than one at the 40G level)
                                                    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                      BA

                                                      Requirements for admission:
                                                    • Manitoba High School Diploma
                                                    • English 40S
                                                    • And four additional 40S level academic subjects (no more than one at the 40G level)
                                                      • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                        iBA

                                                        Requirements for admission:
                                                      • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma
                                                      • English 120, 121 or 122
                                                      • And five additional Grade 12 academic subjects (college preparatory 120, 121 or 122)
                                                        • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                          BA

                                                          Requirements for admission:
                                                        • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma
                                                        • English 120, 121 or 122
                                                        • And five additional Grade 12 academic subjects (college preparatory 120, 121 or 122)
                                                          • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                            iBA

                                                            Requirements for admission:
                                                          • Newfoundland and Labrador High School Graduation Diploma
                                                          • English 3201
                                                          • And nine additional credits at the 3000 level
                                                            • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                              BA

                                                              Requirements for admission:
                                                            • Newfoundland and Labrador High School Graduation Diploma
                                                            • English 3201
                                                            • And nine additional credits at the 3000 level
                                                              • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                iBA

                                                                Requirements for admission:
                                                              • Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma
                                                              • English 12
                                                              • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (university preparatory academic or advanced)
                                                                • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                  BA

                                                                  Requirements for admission:
                                                                • Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma
                                                                • English 12
                                                                • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (university preparatory academic or advanced)
                                                                  • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                    iBA

                                                                    Requirements for admission:
                                                                  • Nunavut High School Graduation Diploma
                                                                  • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                                                  • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                                                    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                      BA

                                                                      Requirements for admission:
                                                                    • Nunavut High School Graduation Diploma
                                                                    • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                                                    • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                                                      • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                        iBA

                                                                        Requirements for admission:
                                                                      • Northwest Territories High School Graduation Diploma
                                                                      • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                                                      • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                                                        • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                          BA

                                                                          Requirements for admission:
                                                                        • Northwest Territories High School Graduation Diploma
                                                                        • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                                                        • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                                                          • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                            iBA

                                                                            Requirements for admission:
                                                                          • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
                                                                          • ENG4U
                                                                          • And five additional 4U or M courses
                                                                            • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.
                                                                              OUAC code YUE

                                                                              BA

                                                                              Requirements for admission:
                                                                            • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
                                                                            • ENG4U
                                                                            • And five additional 4U or M courses
                                                                              • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.
                                                                                OUAC code YUE

                                                                                iBA

                                                                                Requirements for admission:
                                                                              • Completion of a diploma program or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time academic study at an accredited college
                                                                              • Overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                                                              • BA

                                                                                Requirements for admission:
                                                                              • Completion of a diploma program or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time academic study at an accredited college
                                                                              • Overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                                                              • iBA

                                                                                To be considered a mature student, you must:
                                                                              • be at least 21 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
                                                                              • have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
                                                                              • have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
                                                                              • BA

                                                                                To be considered a mature student, you must:
                                                                              • be at least 21 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
                                                                              • have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
                                                                              • have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
                                                                              • iBA

                                                                                Requirements for admission:
                                                                              • Completion of at least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university
                                                                              • Applicants to Honours-level program: Overall average of 2.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                                                              • Applicants to Bachelor-level program: Overall average of 2.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                                                              • BA

                                                                                Requirements for admission:
                                                                              • Completion of at least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university
                                                                              • Applicants to Honours-level program: Overall average of 2.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                                                              • Applicants to Bachelor-level program: Overall average of 2.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                                                              • iBA

                                                                                Requirements for admission:
                                                                              • Prince Edward Island Senior Secondary School Diploma
                                                                              • English 621
                                                                              • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (numbered 611 or 621)
                                                                                • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                  BA

                                                                                  Requirements for admission:
                                                                                • Prince Edward Island Senior Secondary School Diploma
                                                                                • English 621
                                                                                • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (numbered 611 or 621)
                                                                                  • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                    iBA

                                                                                    Requirements for admission:
                                                                                  • Quebec Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation
                                                                                  • Grade 12 English
                                                                                  • And five additional academic (university preparation level) subjects
                                                                                    • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                      BA

                                                                                      Requirements for admission:
                                                                                    • Quebec Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation
                                                                                    • Grade 12 English
                                                                                    • And five additional academic (university preparation level) subjects
                                                                                      • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                        iBA

                                                                                        Requirements for admission:
                                                                                      • Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
                                                                                      • English Language Arts 30 or English Language Arts A 30 or English Language Arts B 30
                                                                                      • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects numbered 30
                                                                                        • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                          BA

                                                                                          Requirements for admission:
                                                                                        • Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
                                                                                        • English Language Arts 30 or English Language Arts A 30 or English Language Arts B 30
                                                                                        • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects numbered 30
                                                                                          • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                            iBA

                                                                                            Requirements for admission:
                                                                                          • General Secondary Education Certificate
                                                                                              • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                                                              BA

                                                                                              Requirements for admission:
                                                                                            • General Secondary Education Certificate
                                                                                                • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                                                                iBA

                                                                                                Requirements for admission:
                                                                                              • High School Diploma
                                                                                                  • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                                                                                                  • AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

                                                                                                  BA

                                                                                                  Requirements for admission:
                                                                                                • High School Diploma
                                                                                                    • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years
                                                                                                    • AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.

                                                                                                    iBA

                                                                                                    Requirements for admission:
                                                                                                  • West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
                                                                                                      • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                                                                      BA

                                                                                                      Requirements for admission:
                                                                                                    • West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
                                                                                                        • Requirement (or equivalent) must have been satisfied within the previous five years

                                                                                                        iBA

                                                                                                        Requirements for admission:
                                                                                                      • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
                                                                                                      • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
                                                                                                      • And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
                                                                                                        • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                                          BA

                                                                                                          Requirements for admission:
                                                                                                        • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
                                                                                                        • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
                                                                                                        • And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
                                                                                                          • To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the low-to-mid 70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70%.

                                                                                                            Start Your Application

                                                                                                            • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                                                                            • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                                                                            • Fall 2027 (September) entry - January 15, 2027
                                                                                                            • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                                                                            • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                                                                            • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027
                                                                                                            • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                                                                            • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                                                                            • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027
                                                                                                            • Winter 2027 (January) entry - November 18, 2026
                                                                                                            • Summer 2027 (May) entry - April 1, 2027
                                                                                                            • Fall 2027 (September) entry - March 24, 2027

                                                                                                            Applied Learning Opportunities

                                                                                                            Gain real-world experience, build marketable skills and apply theories learned in the classroom through Experiential Education (EE) at York. These hands-on learning experiences occur within many courses, including real-world simulation of political challenges. They also take place in community and work/professional settings, including opportunities such as optional paid co-op placements and community-based research.  During your degree, you will develop in-demand knowledge and skills, apply what you learn in real-world settings and graduate prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in your chosen field. 

                                                                                                            From co-op to career: How new graduate Nawshin entered the work force

                                                                                                            Recent grad Nawshin chats with us about her experience with the Career Centre and how she secured a full-time role within two months of graduating.

                                                                                                            Potential Career Paths

                                                                                                            • international relations expert
                                                                                                            • lawyer
                                                                                                            • policy analyst
                                                                                                            • government advisor
                                                                                                            • public affairs professional
                                                                                                            • non-profit professional
                                                                                                            • trade union operations
                                                                                                            Request more information