Psychology is an emerging field that studies complex human thoughts and behaviour. Today many students choose psychology as their career keeping in mind its need and demand. If you are the one looking for psychology courses in Canada after 12th, bachelors in psychology in Canada is the answer. In this blog, we take you through all aspects related to BA in psychology in Canada to help you make the right choice.
Why Study Bachelors in Psychology in Canada?
Let us begin our discussion by looking at the perks of pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology in Canada:
- Bachelors in psychology is offered by some top universities in Canada. It is worth mentioning that 20 universities in Canada were ranked in Maclean’s best psychology programs 2021 rankings.
- Bachelors in psychology in Canada courses offer the choice for students to select the courses that best suit their preferences. The courses are offered as Major, Minor, Specialist and Honors programs.
- The curriculum for bachelors in psychology in Canada not only prepares the students for a prosperous career but also a healthy lifestyle. It instills the values of discipline and humility in students to help them grow into humble and responsible individuals.
Program Overview for Bachelors in Psychology in Canada
Bachelor of psychology in Canada is a 3 to 4-year course for students successfully completing their 10+2 education from a recognized institution. As a full-time program, it consists of 90 to 120 credits in total. The number of credits depends on your academic background and course of study. The curriculum here aims to build the foundation of psychology and behavioral sciences knowledge. Some important topics included in the bachelor of psychology curriculum at Canadian universities are:
So that was a brief glimpse of the topics that you may expect from bachelors in psychology in Canada. Let us see the eligibility criteria now:
Eligibility Criteria for Bachelors in Psychology in Canada
There are certain eligibility criteria that must be met to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology in Canada. Although the requirements vary across universities, the basic ones remain the same. Let us have a look at them:
- High School Certificate
- Language Requirements
- Passport and Visa
Lets go into detail about each requirement one by one:
High School Certificate
To apply for BA or BSc in psychology Canada, it is compulsory for students to complete 10+2 exams from a recognized institution with an aggregate of 55% and above. Do visit the official university website to gather exact information about the same.
Language Requirements
The English proficiency test is mandatory for all international students to get admission to the universities of Canada. Minimum scores as per the tests are:
Passport and Visa
A valid passport and student visa are a must for all international students to study any course at any university in Canada. Do keep in mind to apply for your visa at least 3 months prior to the expected date of travel.
Suggested: Entrance exams Required to Study in Canada
Documents Required for Bachelors in Psychology in Canada
Admission to BA psychology colleges in Canada requires a set of documents. Some of the common documents are mentioned below:
- Transcripts of all educational qualification
- CV or Resume
- LOR or Letter of Recommendation
- SOP or Statement of Purpose
- Scorecards of IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/CAEL
Suggested: Masters in Psychology in Canada
Admission Process for BA in Psychology in Canada
Be it BSc or BA in psychology in Canada, the process of application is the same. A step-by-step guide to applying for an undergraduate degree in psychology in Canada is as follows:
- Finalize the course that you want to pursue and check for the best university offering that course.
- Visit the official university website and collect all data relating to eligibility and the admission process.
- Upload scanned copies of all the required documents (transcripts, CV, IELTS/TOEFL, CAEL scorecards)
- Fill the desired application form and pay the fee.
- Go through an interview with the respective university directors. This is a great opportunity to display your soft skills and presence of mind.
- Once you receive the conditional offer letter after clearing your interview, you may book your seat at the particular university.
- Pay your deposit by agreeing to the terms and conditions of the university. The deposit here is non-refundable.
Suggested: Know how to apply to Canadian universities?
Cost of Studying Bachelors in Psychology in Canada
The fees for BA psychology colleges in Canada depend on a number of factors. Broadly the overall cost can be divided into two categories: tuition fees and cost of living.
Tuition Fees
The cost to study psychology in Canada varies in accordance with the programs and universities you choose. On average, the psychology course fees across Canadian universities range from CAD 18,000 to CAD 29,000 per year.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Canada depends upon your lifestyle and preferences. An estimated cost for international students is CAD 900 - CAD 1500 per month. It covers all amenities like housing, food, travel, stationery, recreational activities, etc.
Suggested: Cost of Studying in Canada for International Students
Top Universities for Bachelor of Psychology in Canada
Bachelors of psychology is offered by many many Canadian universities in Canada. To talk of the best ones, the following come under the top universities for bachelors in psychology in Canada:
- University of Toronto
- McGill University
- University of British Columbia
- University of Alberta
- Simon Fraser University
Let us discuss each university in detail now:
University of Toronto
BSc Psychology Canada at University of Toronto focuses on the behaviour of the human mind as well as animals. The emphasis here is on individual characteristics rather than the group. The undergraduate program introduces students to the basic principles of psychology and the various methods used in psychological research. It offers BSc Major, Minor, Research Specialist and Certificate programs in Psychology of Economics and Management.
QS World University Ranking 2022 |
26 |
QS Subject Ranking 2021 |
19 |
Programs Offered |
BSc in Psychology |
Average Fees Per Year |
20,000 CAD |
McGill University
Bachelor’s degree in psychology in Canada at McGill University emphasis on the scientific study of human behaviour. The Department of Psychology here provides three undergraduate programs in total. They are: BA in Psychology under the Faculty of Arts, BSc in Psychology under the Faculty of Science and last but not least, BA & BSc in Psychology under the Faculty of Arts and Science.
QS World University Ranking 2022 |
27 |
QS Subject Ranking 2021 |
29 |
Programs Offered |
BA in Psychology, BSc in Psychology, BA & BSc in Psychology |
Average Fees Per Year |
25,000 CAD |
University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia is another top university offering BA psychology in Canada. The graduate qualify for various entry-level positions in the fields of healthcare, counseling and social work after completion of their course. From the winter term of 2022, UBC’s Faculties of Science, Arts, and Medicine have also started with an Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience (UPN) at the Vancouver Campus.
QS World University Ranking 2022 |
46 |
QS Subject Ranking 2021 |
16 |
Programs Offered |
BA in Psychology, BSc Behavioural Neuroscience |
Average Fees Per Year |
25,000 CAD |
University of Alberta
A reputed bachelor of psychology in Canada is offered by the University of Alberta by both Faculties of Arts and Sciences as BA and BSc programs. The core degree requirements for a bachelor’s degree in psychology (e.g., major or minor) within each of these programs are practically identical. But the general BA and BSc degree requirements are quite different. If you are more into humanities a BA degree is recommended, and vice versa.
QS World University Ranking 2022 |
126 |
QS Subject Ranking 2021 |
151 - 200 |
Programs Offered |
BA in Psychology, BSc in Psychology |
Average Fees Per Year |
18,000 CAD |
Simon Fraser University
The Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University is a part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. But the undergraduate level courses of psychology are a part of liberal arts education. Briefly, the prime aim of liberal arts education is to enhance students' interpersonal communication skills that include written and oral, analytic and research skills. The BA in psychology at SFU focuses on the overall growth of the students.
QS World University Ranking 2022 |
298 |
QS Subject Ranking 2021 |
151 - 200 |
Programs Offered |
BA in Psychology |
Average Fees Per Year |
29,000 CAD |
Suggested Read:
Scholarships for Bachelors in Psychology in Canada
Undergraduate scholarships in Canada are graciously funded by different sources to help students fund their studies. Some important scholarships for bachelor in psychology in Canada are discussed below:
Scholarship Name |
Awarded To |
Jock Abra Scholarship in Psychology and the Arts |
Meritorious students pursuing undergraduate degree under the Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Fine Arts, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Calgary.
Amount/ Benefit: 1,000 CAD |
Elizabeth Schonfield Memorial Scholarship |
Students achieving high GPA during 2nd and 3rd year of undergraduate studies at Department of Psychology, University of Calgary.
Amount/ Benefit: Upto 300 CAD |
Suggested: How To Finance Your Studies In Canada as an International Student?
Jobs After Bachelors in Psychology in Canada
Graduates of bachelors in psychology in Canada find employment in various beginner level job roles that help them to kick start their professional career. Some popular jobs along with their average salaries are mentioned below:
Job Title |
Average Salary Per Hour |
Assistant Child Counsellor |
18 CAD - 30 CAD |
Behavioural Interventionist |
15 CAD - 25 CAD |
Medical Assistant |
18 CAD - 25 CAD |
Rehabilitation Assistant |
20 CAD - 30 CAD |
Laboratory Assistant |
15 CAD - 20 CAD |
Suggested: Highest Paying Jobs in Canada for International Students
As we come to the end of this blog, we hope that it provided you the required insights regarding bachelors in psychology in Canada. If you wish to know more about the scope of psychology in Canada, do check out our blog Psychology Courses and Universities in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions for Bachelors in Psychology in Canada
- What is the course duration for bachelors in psychology in Canada?
Ans. BA or Bsc in psychology in Canada stretches over a duration of 3 to 4 years covering a total of 90 to 120 credits.
- What are the best universities for bachelor of psychology in Canada?
Ans. Apart from the ones mentioned above, other universities offering undergraduate degrees in psychology in Canada include:
- What is the cost of studying bachelor's in psychology in Canada?
Ans. The tuition fees for bachelor's in psychology in Canada per year on average is around 18,000 CAD to 29,000 CAD per year.