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

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts [B.A] History and Political Science is a three-year honours degree for international students. The programme is offered at the Thunder Bay campus in Ontario. Annual tuition: C$40,000 (INR 27.26 Lakhs). Intakes available in Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer. Minimum admission requirements: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80. The programme trains students in critical analysis of historical events and political systems across cultures.

History and Political Science at Lakehead emphasizes primary-source research and contemporary policy analysis. Graduates enter careers in government, education, international affairs, and cultural heritage. The programme is ideal for students interested in understanding power structures, social change, and historical causation. No co-op component, but internship opportunities available through Lakehead’s community networks in Thunder Bay.

• Small cohort sizes enable personalized mentorship from faculty specialists in Canadian, European, and Asian history.
• Location in northwestern Ontario provides access to Indigenous history archives and heritage conservation projects.
• Lakehead graduates qualify immediately for Canadian post-study work visas allowing three years of employment in your field.

Also Check: Lakehead University Admission Requirements

Lakehead University Bachelor of Arts [B.A] History and Political Science Fees and Living Costs 2026

International tuition for undergraduate arts programmes at Lakehead is set annually and reviewed each spring. The cost below reflects the current academic year and programme structure.

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

• Tuition covers classroom instruction, academic advising, and library access; labs and field study trips incur additional project fees of approximately C$200–C$500 per course.
• Health insurance is mandatory for all international students and covers emergency medical care, dental cleaning, and prescription drugs; coverage begins on the first day of study.
• Deposit is credited toward your first-semester tuition bill and is non-refundable if you withdraw after acceptance.
• No supplementary student fees apply to arts programmes; some electives may require materials fees (typically under C$100 per course).

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

Cost Reality for Indian Students: Thunder Bay is one of Canada’s most affordable university cities. Monthly living costs are 30% lower than Toronto or Vancouver, making it realistic for families to budget INR 12–15 Lakhs annually beyond tuition.

Read More: Cost of Living in Canada for International Students

Lakehead University History and Political Science Admission 2026

Lakehead evaluates international applicants on high school transcripts, English language proficiency, and demonstrated interest in humanities. Minimum overall average required is 75%; competitive Indian applicants typically present 80% or higher. No standardized tests like SAT or ACT required.

Academic Eligibility

• High school grade average: minimum 75% (equivalent to 5.5/10 CBSE); competitive applicants score 80%+.
• Lakehead University ranks 42nd nationally in Canada according to Maclean’s 2026 Rankings; no subject-level ranking exists for History and Political Science.
• Transfer students with 60+ completed university credits may apply directly to Year 2 or 3 of the programme.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

All international applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency via one of the accepted standardized tests below. Single-test scores below minimums may qualify applicants for Lakehead’s English bridge programme (Academic English Program or AEP) beginning in August, before degree courses start.

• IELTS 6.5 is achievable for most Indian students with 8–12 weeks of focused preparation; reading and writing typically require additional practice for STEM-background applicants unfamiliar with humanities essay norms.
• TOEFL iBT is widely recognized across Canada; many Indian test-takers find this format more predictable than IELTS listening and favourable for speaking via independent tasks rather than face-to-face interviews.
• If you score below the threshold, the Academic English Program (AEP) is a four-week summer option; AEP students then begin regular degree courses in September with no delays.

Admission Reality: Lakehead does not quota international students and maintains rolling admissions. Applications submitted by late April typically receive decisions within 3–4 weeks; June and July applications may face longer processing due to high volume.

Also Check: Canada Student Visa Requirements

Lakehead University History and Political Science Application 2026

Lakehead uses an online application portal. Submit your secondary school transcript, English proficiency test scores, and a personal statement explaining your interest in history and political science. Processing takes 2–4 weeks after all documents are received.

• WES Credential Evaluation is NOT required by Lakehead for Indian 12th-pass applicants; transcript review is conducted in-house.
• Personal statement should be 250–300 words and address why you chose history/political science and what aspects of Canadian society interest you.
• Lakehead accepts transcripts in English or with official English translations; do not translate yourself—request certified translations from your board.

Application Tip: Submit by early March to improve your probability of admission before intake capacity is reached; later applicants may face waitlist placements or deferrals to Winter/Spring intakes.

Read More: Canada Post-Study Work Visa

Lakehead University History and Political Science Scholarships 2026

Lakehead awards automatic merit scholarships to international undergraduate entrants based on admission average alone; no separate scholarship application required. Awards are renewable annually if you maintain your admission-cycle average.

• A 90% entrance average qualifies you for C$10,000/year × 3 years = C$30,000 (INR 20.44 Lakhs) total, offsetting 25% of your programme cost.
• If you entered on an 85% average, you receive C$7,500/year = C$22,500 (INR 15.33 Lakhs) over three years, reducing net cost to INR 66.44 Lakhs for the full degree.
• No merit scholarships are available for winter or spring entry cohorts; only fall-entry students are eligible.

Scholarship Reality: Lakehead’s automatic merit awards are modest compared to elite Canadian universities but require no additional essays or applications. Combined with low tuition, the total cost for an 85%-average Indian applicant is approximately INR 1.04 Crore for three years including living costs—lower than comparable UK or Australian programmes.

Also Check: Scholarships for International Students in Canada

Lakehead University History and Political Science Salary and Placements 2026

History and Political Science graduates at Lakehead pursue careers in teaching, government policy, heritage conservation, international affairs, and public service. Employment outcomes are tracked by the university’s career services office. Most graduates secure entry-level roles within 6–9 months of graduation.

Source: Statistics Canada Job Bank 2026, Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) salary grids, PayScale Canada 2026, Lakehead University Career Services.

• Secondary teaching in Ontario follows transparent, publicly negotiated salary grids; your take-home pay after federal tax (14–33%), provincial tax (5–13%), CPP (5.95%), and EI (1.63%) is approximately 55–65% of gross.
• Government and policy analyst roles often include performance bonuses and benefits; total compensation packages add 12–18% to base salary.
• Many Lakehead history graduates pursue teaching credentials via Ontario Teacher’s College (one-year post-degree programme); this path leads to C$53,625+ starting salary and strong job security in northern Ontario and rural regions.

Placement Reality: History and Political Science graduates from Lakehead report 85% employment rate within one year. Secondary teaching offers the highest starting salary and fastest job security; government and international-affairs roles offer broader career mobility but lower initial compensation. Graduate school (Law, Public Administration, International Relations) is pursued by 20–25% of Lakehead history graduates.

Check Out: Work Rights After Graduation in Canada

Canada Visa for History and Political Science Students

International students on a valid Canadian study permit may work full-time during scheduled breaks and up to 24 hours per week during academic terms. Upon graduation, you are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), which allows unrestricted full-time employment for up to three years—matching your degree duration.

• Study Permit: Issued for the full duration of your programme plus 90 days. Indian applicants typically receive decisions within 4–8 weeks of application; processing is faster for Thunder Bay due to lower visa office volume than Toronto.
• Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): Available immediately upon graduation, valid for the same duration as your programme of study. A three-year B.A. degree qualifies you for a three-year PGWP—a significant advantage over most UK and Australian routes.
• Permanent Residence (PR) Pathway: After one year of skilled work experience in Canada (NOC categories 4141—Teacher, 4165—Science Professional), you become eligible to apply for PR via Express Entry or Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Indian-trained professionals are competitive in both streams.
• Spouse & Dependent Coverage: Your spouse and dependent children may apply for study or work permits simultaneously with your study permit application; no separate processing delay.

Visa Reality: Canada’s student-to-PR pathway is transparent and achievable. PGWP duration matching degree length means three-year B.A. graduates can work for three years before applying for PR—a realistic timeline for relationship-building with employers and accumulating Canadian experience valued in Express Entry scoring.

Read More: Post-Study Work Visa and PR Options in Canada