Develop the skills to lead people, projects and organizations, from foundational principles to advanced strategies, with Wilfrid Laurier University’s Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Leadership, offered in-person and online.
You’ll explore leadership theories and practices while building practical skills in communication, negotiation, project management and ethical decision-making.
Through hands-on learning, you’ll develop the self-awareness, collaboration and problem-solving abilities needed to navigate complex challenges and inspire positive change. If you can see yourself as a future leader in business, government, non-profit organizations, community leadership or other fields where effective leadership makes an impact, this program is for you.
Discover what makes this Laurier program unique and how you’ll gain real-world experience.
Your future professors 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:
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!):
Explore a sample weekly schedule to see what your day-to-day might look like in this program.
Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.
Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.
These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to broaden your knowledge:
Once you’re at Laurier, you can connect with an academic advisor in your first year for more information about pursuing a minor. In the meantime, check out other electives and minors to enhance your degree.
Expand your field of expertise by pairing your Leadership degree with another major:
Connect with an academic advisor in your first year for information about pursuing a second major.
BA + MBA Graduate Degree Pathway
The Arts BA + MBA is available in three programs:
You will complete your BA on the Brantford campus and your MBA on the Waterloo campus. Explore each program for first-year core courses, sample first-year electives and sample upper-year courses.
When you apply on the OUAC application, select Criminology, Game Design and Development or Leadership as your subject of major interest.
OUAC Code: UQ
When you apply on the OUAC application:
Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum must present the following:
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed above. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.
Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.
Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.
We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.
If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.
The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you're going.
Our Leadership (BA) graduates go on to a wide range of rewarding careers.
Here are just a few examples:
As a Laurier alum, you'll have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
Below is a breakdown of tuition fees and expenses for Laurier Human and Social Sciences (HSS) students for one year (or two terms) studying full time. Fees are based on 2026/27 rates and are subject to increase. All fees are shown in Canadian dollars.
| Fee Type | Domestic Students | International Students |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,180 | $36,624 |
| Student Fees | $1,830 | $2,778 |
| Textbook Fees | $1,500 | $1,500 |
See a full breakdown of your first-year expenses.
When you apply to Laurier you’ll be automatically assessed for entrance scholarships (based on your final admission average) and for in-course scholarships in your upper years (based on your Laurier GPA from the previous academic year). We also offer more than 700 competitive scholarships and awards, which require separate applications and may be awarded throughout the academic year.
You’ll attend some scheduled classes in a physical classroom and participate in some online. Some online components may be live at scheduled times (virtual synchronous), while others can be completed independently (virtual asynchronous). When you register for classes each term, you’ll choose from online and in-person course options.
While part of the program is delivered online, some courses may require in-person exams, either on campus or at an approved testing location near your home.
Become a Laurier insider to get quick, fun and informative updates along your application journey.
Have questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548‑889‑8888 or see all contact information.
Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?
