Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Economics and Political Science] From Lakehead University

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science is a four-year honours undergraduate programme combining economic theory with political systems analysis. It requires a 75% minimum average and IELTS 6.5 for international entry. The total tuition cost is approximately C$160,000 (INR 1.09 Crore) over four years, with additional living expenses. Fall intake opens in September; Winter and Spring intakes are also available. This programme trains students to analyse policy, understand economic drivers of political decisions, and pursue careers spanning government, international organisations, law, and think tanks. The dual-major structure is distinctive—graduates emerge as economists AND political analysts, not generalists in either field alone. Ideal applicants are analytically minded, curious about real-world problems, and prepared for quantitative coursework combined with qualitative research.

Lakehead’s Economics and Political Science programme leverages the university’s strength in research mentorship and co-op placements. Small cohort sizes mean direct faculty interaction and customised thesis supervision. The Thunder Bay location offers lower tuition than Toronto or Vancouver, making it cost-effective for Indian families. Indian students at Lakehead report strong peer networks, accessible international student services, and realistic visa timelines.

• Dual expertise in economics and political analysis opens careers across government, NGOs, law, and international development.
• Four-month paid co-op terms during the degree provide salary offset and real-world experience.
• Smaller class sizes and rural campus foster one-on-one mentorship rare at larger Canadian universities.

Also Check: Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts Admission Requirements

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts Economics and Political Science Fees 2026

The total cost of study comprises tuition, ancillary fees, health insurance, and deposits. All figures below are in Canadian dollars with INR equivalents at the current exchange rate.

Source: Lakehead University Official Tuition & Fees Schedule 2026; UHIP rate valid for 2026–27 intake

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of C$ 1 = INR 68.14 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily; verify before applying.

• Tuition varies slightly by academic performance in year 2+ due to scholarship renewal conditions (if eligible); ensure 80%+ GPA to maintain entrance scholarships.
• Health insurance is mandatory and auto-billed to your student account; dependents (spouse/children) require separate plans.
• The tuition deposit (C$1,000) is credited toward your first term tuition after enrolment confirmation.
• International students are not eligible for domestic on-campus employment wage subsidies; co-op placements are paid at market rates (typically C$18,000–22,000 per four-month term).

Key Insight: Lakehead’s tuition is 15–20% lower than comparable BA programmes at University of Toronto or UBC. With co-op income, year 2–4 net cost drops significantly for Economics and Political Science students entering professional work terms.

Cost of Living in Thunder Bay for Economics and Political Science Students

Thunder Bay is one of Canada’s most affordable mid-size university cities. Monthly living costs for a single student typically range from C$1,800 to C$2,200, depending on accommodation choice and lifestyle.

Tip for Indian Students: Thunder Bay rents are 40–50% lower than Toronto or Vancouver. Sharing a house with 2–3 other students cuts monthly housing to C$900–1,000. The university provides affordable on-campus residence (C$700–900/month) for first-year students; use this to orient and then move off-campus for years 2–4.

Read More: Cost of Living for International Students in Canada

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts Economics and Political Science Admission

Lakehead welcomes international high school graduates and those with completed undergraduate transfers. Academic eligibility and English language proficiency are assessed together; neither waives the other.

The Fall 2026 intake remains the largest cohort, with the most scholarship funding and co-op placements. Economics and Political Science is an open-enrolment programme, meaning admissions are rolling once you meet the minimum GPA and ELP thresholds.

• Canadian high school students and international applicants follow identical academic requirements.
• Lakehead University ranks #401–500 globally (QS 2026) and is among Canada’s research-intensive regional institutions.
• The university is fully accredited by Ontario’s higher education regulator and recognized by all Canadian employers.

Academic Eligibility for Economics and Political Science

All applicants must meet the following minimum standard:

• High school transcript showing a minimum 75% cumulative average; courses in Grade 11–12 math and social sciences (economics, history, or geography) are strongly preferred.
• Successful completion of a four-year secondary education programme recognised by Canadian provinces; Indian applicants must submit Grade 10 and 12 board exam transcripts with official marksheets.
• Competitive applicants typically have 80%+ averages and prior coursework in accounting, calculus, or government studies.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) for International Students

Every international applicant whose first language is not English must submit one of the following test scores. Minimum per-component requirements exist for every test; a single band below the minimum may require placement in Lakehead’s Academic English Program (AEP).

• IELTS is the most widely used test for Indian applicants; most achieve the 6.5 band within 2–3 months of targeted preparation.
• TOEFL iBT 80 is equivalent to IELTS 6.5 and equally accepted; the speaking section is automated and less intimidating for some test-takers.
• If you score 6.0 IELTS overall but 5.5 in writing, you enter Lakehead’s AEP (Academic English Program) concurrently with year 1, adding no extra tuition cost and taking 8–12 weeks.
• Test scores are valid for 2 years from the test date; submit within the application deadline to avoid retest delays.

Tip for Indian Students: IELTS centres in India are widely available and exam results arrive within 13 days. Most Indian graduates of Class 12 English-medium schools achieve 6.5–7.0 after 6–10 weeks of targeted coaching. Start IELTS prep immediately after submitting your application to meet the 1 March deadline.

Check Out: Canadian Student Visa Requirements and Processing for Indian Students

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts Economics and Political Science Application

Apply directly through Lakehead’s online portal or via official partner agents recognised by the university. Submissions require secondary transcripts, ELP test scores, and a brief statement of intent.

Early submission (by 1 March for Fall) prioritises your name for co-op placements and scholarship consideration. After 30 June, limited co-op spots remain; late applicants admitted in August may not secure paid terms until year 2.

• Official high school transcripts and marksheets must be submitted directly from your school or education board; photocopies require official notarisation.
• ELP test results (IELTS or TOEFL) should be sent electronically to Lakehead’s admissions office (code: IELTS 0807, TOEFL 0888).
• No entrance exam (SAT, ACT, GRE) is required for undergraduate entry from any country.
• Accepted students must submit a tuition deposit of C$1,000 within 30 days and obtain a study permit from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Application Tip: Submit by mid-February to have your complete application reviewed before the 1 March priority deadline. Processing is fast (2–3 weeks), so you gain 4–6 weeks to prepare visa documents after receiving your acceptance letter.

Also Check: Scholarships and Financial Aid Available for Indian Students in Canada

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts Economics and Political Science Scholarships

Lakehead awards automatic entrance scholarships based on your high school grade point average. No separate scholarship application is required; all eligible international undergraduates are considered.

For a typical BA Economics and Political Science student entering with an 80% average, the C$7,500 annual scholarship reduces year 1 net cost from C$42,083 to C$34,583 (INR 23.56 Lakhs). Over four years, if you maintain 80%, this scholarship saves INR 2.04 Lakhs total.

• International graduate students in MSc Computer Science or MSc Engineering may qualify for an additional C$2,000–4,000 scholarship; undergraduates in BA programmes are not eligible for graduate awards.
• Scholarships are credited automatically to your tuition account after admission; no reapplication is necessary.
• Co-op income (C$18,000–22,000 per four-month term) provides additional cost offset in years 2 and 3.

Scholarship Reality: Entrance scholarships are generous but do not cover full tuition. Combined with co-op earnings and living cost offsets, international students typically fund 30–40% of total four-year cost through scholarship + work income, requiring family support of C$100,000–120,000 (INR 68–82 Lakhs) over four years.

Read More: Full Scholarship Information and Financial Aid at Lakehead University

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts Economics and Political Science Salary

Graduates with a BA in Economics and Political Science pursue careers in government policy, international development, law, consulting, and corporate strategy. Salary depends on sector and role; economics graduates typically earn more than political science graduates initially, but combined expertise opens management roles faster.

Source: Statistics Canada Job Bank 2026, Canadian salary surveys; Lakehead career outcomes reports

Gross salary becomes net income after federal (14–33% marginal tax), Ontario provincial (5–13%), CPP (5.95%), and EI (1.62%) deductions. A C$60,000 entry salary nets approximately C$43,500 annually (INR 29.65 Lakhs) after tax.

• Government positions (policy analyst, foreign service officer) offer job security and pensions but lower starting pay (C$45,000–55,000).
• Private sector consulting and think tanks pay 10–20% higher salaries but expect longer hours and performance-based bonuses.
• Co-op placements during your degree (C$18,000–22,000 per term) count as paid work experience; employers weight demonstrated skills over degree pedigree.
• Law school preparation (common for Lakehead BA graduates) requires an additional 3 years of study; lawyers earn C$70,000–120,000+ after 5 years in practice.

ROI Reality: A BA in Economics and Political Science costs INR 1.12 Crore total; entry salary of INR 40 Lakhs grows to INR 64 Lakhs by year 7. Payback is achieved by year 8–10, typical for Canadian degrees. Add law school or an MBA to accelerate to INR 1 Crore+ by year 15.

Check Out: Post-Study Work Visa and Career Options for International Graduates

Canada Visa and Post-Study Work for Economics and Political Science Graduates

International students in Canada are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) upon completing their degree. This permit allows unrestricted full-time work in Canada for a duration matching your programme length, up to a maximum of four years. For a four-year BA, you receive a four-year PGWP—among the longest in the world. After one year of qualifying work, you may apply for permanent residence (PR) via the Express Entry fast-track programme.

• PGWP applications are filed online within 180 days of completing your degree; processing takes 4–6 weeks.
• No employer sponsorship or job offer is required to obtain a PGWP; you are free to change jobs anytime.
• Skilled-worker permanent residence is available for Economics graduates in analyst and consulting roles; Ontario’s provincial nominee programme (PNP) prioritises certain roles (NOC 1111 Business Analysts) with annual salary above C$62,000.
• Spouse and dependent children may accompany you on a PGWP; they require separate open work permits and health insurance.

Visa Reality: Four years of PGWP + two years of skilled-worker processing = six-year total path to Canadian PR and citizenship eligibility three years later. This timeline is realistic and widely taken by Lakehead graduates.

Also Check: Canadian Student Visa Application Process for International Students