Undergraduate
Political Studies
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- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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- Peterborough
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- Paid Co-op Available
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Humanities & Social Sciences (Arts)
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Peterborough
- Work Experience Paid Co-op Available
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RPO - Peterborough RPL - Peterborough co-op
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Sharpen your thinking on democracy, power, and society through small seminars and hands-on experiences that build practical skills that prepare you for diverse career possibilities.
Build a broad understanding of politics while developing your own perspective on the issues shaping societies worldwide. Study topics such as political protest, global threats, green politics, populism, power and constitutional issues, with the option to specialize in public policy, world politics or political theory. Put your knowledge to work through research, community engagement projects, and opportunities to engage directly with political leaders and policymakers.
- Take on real research and policy questions through the Leadership & Democracy Lab working alongside Trent’s Jarislowsky Chair in Political Trust & Leadership.
- Gain an international perspective through the U.K. Summer Democracy Experience. Observe live debates, examine constitutional and policy issues, and connect with senior politicians and scholars.
- Gain paid professional experience with 12 months of work experience through Trent’s Political Studies co-op.
- Earn a B.A. and LL.B. in just six years through the Trent/Swansea dual-degree pathway, combining political studies at Trent with the opportunity to live, learn, travel, and experience life abroad in Wales.
Program Possibilites
Specialize your studies in Political Studies with a focus on a specific field within your degree
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Global Politics & International Studies
Develop expertise in foreign policy, world trade, power relations, and civil unrest, as you work towards a career in cross-border relations, international agencies, government organizations, and NGOs.
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International Law & Policy
The specialization provides a foundation in international legal frameworks, political institutions, and policy processes that shape economic and social systems. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will gain deeper insights into the political and policy dynamics that influence human rights and global governance. Students will explore the role of law and human rights institutions in shaping international relations and justice. Experiential learning opportunities, including policy-focused courses and placements, enable students to apply legal and political analysis to pressing international and global challenges, preparing them for careers in law, diplomacy, public policy, and international organizations.
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Political Theory
In this specialization you will explore how great minds from the past and present articulate big ideas that inform our world through political texts, literature, film, and theatre.
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Public Policy
Curious about careers creating, analyzing, and adapting innovative new policies? Strike a balance between the social, environmental, and economic needs of people today, with this ideal specialization for students looking to succeed in public service, think tanks, non-profit, and intergovernmental organizations.
Add an Option to your Political Studies degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Global Power & Politics
The most urgent political problems of our time pose fundamental moral problems that require not only goodwill and commitment, but a deep understanding of the mechanisms of global power and politics. This option is designed to enable you to develop a critical understanding of the formal, informal, visible and hidden structures of power in the global age and the mechanisms that propel global power and politics.
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Legal Studies
Understanding the legal system in Canada is valuable for everyone, not just lawyers and policy makers. A complement to virtually any B.A. or B.Sc. degree, this option provides students with fundamental knowledge about Canadian law. You’ll learn about rights and freedoms, what it takes to draft and pass new laws, and how the law influences and is influenced by society and culture.
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Leadership
What does it mean to be a leader? How does one learn to lead? In this option you will learn all about the importance of building relationships and directing people to work together to achieve common goals and objectives. With opportunities to learn from Trent University’s Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, and take courses from across disciplines, you will develop comprehensive perspectives on leadership and earn a formal designation that signals your leadership capacity to future employers.
Career experience while you learn
Every Political Studies student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Paid Co-op Available
- Graduate with paid work experience completing three 12–16-week work terms in the summer of years two and three, and the fall of year four, all as part of your four-year degree.
- Work in areas such as community development, evaluation and research, media and communications, policy analysis, and public service.
Research Opportunities
- Participate in faculty-led research practicums connected to ongoing research programs, or join the Leadership & Democracy Lab to research, write, and present on democracy, global affairs, and political leadership in a think-tank-style environment.
- Conduct community-based research, working with local organizations on research, planning and community-development projects for course credit.
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
- Join the U.K. Summer Democracy Experience and connect with senior politicians and scholars, observe live debates, and examine constitutional and policy change firsthand.
Placements
- Put political and policy knowledge to work through a field placement, working with a government office, non-profit, law clinic, community organization, or policy think tank. Past placements have included municipal offices, federal and provincial political offices, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Internships
- Gain professional workplace experience through a paid internship with a business or organization, including opportunities with the Ontario Public Service, Ontario Legislature, Canadian Parliament and federal public service.
Career Paths
- Policy Analyst
- Government Relations Specialist
- Political Advisor
- Legislative Assistant
- Diplomatic/Foreign Affairs Officer
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 70-75% | 80-85% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students