Business Administration (BBA)

Be part of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics - one of the first internationally accredited business schools in Canada (AACSB accreditation), that offers Canada’s largest business degree co-op program. Our Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is full time and direct entry, which means your business education begins on day one.

Through class discussions, case analysis exercises, competitions and training from professors and industry executives, this program delivers an immersive experience revealing the reality of today’s business world.

two students working in the lazaridis atrium

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on in this program:

  • Career-Ready Courses
    Learn about all areas of business including accounting, business and sustainability, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources, insurance and risk management, international business, marketing, strategic management and supply chain management.
  • Award-Winning Profs
    Our faculty are award-winning distinguished professors and industry executives who teach in a way that reflects the realities of today's business world.
  • Networking Starting Day One 
    Our cohort approach means you’ll progress through your program with the same group of students, allowing you to build and maintain personal and professional relationships during your studies and after graduation.
  • Accomplished Alumni
    With more than 600 alumni who are Presidents or CEOs and over 2,000 alumni who have founded their own companies, you’ll benefit from a strong and supportive network that opens doors to opportunities and mentorship.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more):

  • Co-op
    You can apply to co-op at the end of first year and complete three four-month work terms over the course of your four-year degree.
  • Live Case Solving Real Problems
    In your first semester you'll work in a group to answer a strategic business question posed by a real company. Check out some past case competitions.
  • Experiential Competitions
    Throughout your degree, you'll gain hands-on experience through team-based competitions that build your business skills. In the BDO Future Leaders Challenge, first year students collaborate to create and pitch a new business concept and plan. In your third year during the Integrated Case Exercise (ICE), you will tackle a live case from a real company, analyzing challenges and presenting strategic solutions.
  • World of Opportunities (WOO):
    A dynamic half-day conference where 4th year students collaborate in teams to develop and present poster proposals. Each group explores international business opportunities, identifying how a Canadian company could successfully enter a new, assigned global market.

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Courses

  • Understanding the Business Environment
  • Critical Thinking and Communication Skills
  • Introduction to Financial Accounting
  • Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • Introductory Calculus for Business and Social Sciences or Calculus I
  • 2.0 non-business electives

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Laurier Start-Up Fund
  • Leadership
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Applied Marketing
  • Procurement and Supply Management
  • Sustainability Management

Options and Minors

You also have the opportunity to earn all the university credits required for the major professional designations: CPA (accounting), CFA (finance) and CHRP (human resources).

Looking to do more with your degree? Add an option or minor to your BBA degree.

Concentrations

You'll build a solid foundation and become a well-rounded business graduate, as well as a specialist that will lead directly to the career you want by having the freedom to choose one of 9 business concentrations in upper years:

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AACSB Accreditation

The Business Administration (BBA) program is offered by the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – delivering on excellence and the highest standards for business schools in the world. 

Admissions

  • Format: full time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • accountant
  • brand strategist/manager
  • business development manager
  • entrepreneur
  • financial analyst
  • investment banking analyst
  • lawyer
  • project manager
  • recruiter
  • senior consultant
  • supply chain analyst

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete three work terms of four months’ duration, between second and fourth year, enabling you to obtain 12 months of full-time work experience.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

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99%employment rate for co‑op students – 2024 / 2025

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Center for World University Rankings

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2024

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2024

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot. With more than 60 programs in arts, science, business and music, you can customize your degree, gain hands-on learning opportunities and join in the community beyond the classroom.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

students in a classroom

Delivered In Person

Join us on campus and experience university life firsthand.

You can complete your program primarily through in-person courses where you will attend classes in a physical classroom on scheduled days and times, which you will see and choose from when you register for courses. 

Connect face-to-face with your professors, learn alongside your classmates and be part of the campus community from day one.  

Hear From Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be a Laurier Golden Hawk? Student Life at Laurier is your social media source to get unfiltered content, first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?