Bachelor of Arts in English (Honours)

As human beings, we understand ourselves and our place in the world through the stories that we tell. In our department, we approach stories as tools for self-reflection and self-understanding, creative thinking and problem solving. Our students learn to think deeply and write clearly in small, supportive and inclusive classes taught by award-winning professors who take pride in the personal attention they give their students. Our students are prepared for living in a complex world by studying the texts that anchor our diverse cultural and intellectual histories, from Beowulf to Bollywood, Jane Austen to comic books, Shakespeare to Indigenous drama.

Our highly successful Co-op program enables students to combine academic study with valuable paid work experience. Our majors also have the opportunity to apply to study abroad and register in one of two specialized concentrations: Creative Writing and Drama Studies. In collaboration with the School of Linguistics & Language Studies, we offer a minor in Professional Writing.

High school (secondary school) graduation is the normal minimum level of study to be considered for admission to the first year of an undergraduate program at Carleton University. If you have undertaken studies at a recognized college or university following your secondary school graduation, we will assess these post-secondary studies as your basis of admission, as your highest level and most recent studies. Academic performance in your previous studies is the main determining factor for admission.

You will need to provide transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, showing all courses undertaken and grades achieved, as well as any registration in courses in progress. If you have completed one year or less of post-secondary studies, please also submit your secondary school transcripts and any graduation exam results. If an application is submitted while studies are still in progress, we will review for an early/conditional offer.

You do not need to apply as a transfer student the application process is the same for all
Advanced standing (transfer credit) If you have taken university courses and wish to be considered for credit, please be sure to submit official course descriptions (and translations if necessary) from your university detailing content of the courses completed. These will be assessed on a course by course basis for credit. An audit will be provided after admission showing the Carleton credits granted.


Admission Requirements
International Baccalaureate
You will need the full IB (three standard [SL] and three higher level [HL] subjects), with a minimum of 28 points (please note that some programs are more competitive, and will require higher scores).
You may have one subject with a grade of 3, provided it is offset by a grade of 5 or better. Prerequisite subjects must have a grade of 4 or better.
IB students may be awarded advanced standing (transfer) credit for HL subjects with a grade of 5 or better subject to the discretion of the appropriate faculty, to a maximum of 3.0 credits.
If you are currently completing the IB in a Canadian high school, please refer to the admission requirements and application deadlines for your province.

Specific Requirements

Bachelor of Arts
All majors - SL or HL English

Transcripts from your most recent/highest level of education
English as a Second Language (ESL) test score
IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 IELTS (min 6.0 each band)
TOEFL Internet Based (iBT) - 86 (22 in writing and speaking, 20 reading and listening)