Program Overview

---

Canadian Studies Diploma Program

The Canadian Studies diploma program is a multidisciplinary program designed to offer students a way to critically examine Canada through a variety of disciplinary lenses. This program leads to a Diploma in Canadian Studies and is offered by the University of Victoria.

Program Description

This program allows students to satisfy their academic, professional, or personal interest in subjects relating to Canada. Students will complete required core courses in Canadian culture and issues and choose electives from a range of other courses related to Canada. Courses completed as part of the diploma may be transferred towards an undergraduate degree.

Program Outcomes

• Introduce students to the study of Canada from a multidisciplinary perspective
• Introduce students to concepts relating to the construction, negotiation, and contesting of Canada’s national identities
• Help students develop their ability to think critically about the connections between Canada’s past, present, and future

Program Partners

• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Social Sciences
• Faculty of Fine Arts

Courses and Fees

The diploma requires a minimum of 12 courses, equivalent to 18 credit units. Diploma students are required to complete three core courses in Canadian Studies and choose the remainder of their courses in subjects related to Canada offered by the faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts at UVic.

Required Courses

• Introduction to Canadian Culture
• Introduction to Canadian Contemporary Issues
• Special Topics in Canadian Studies or Issues and Ideas in Canadian Environmentalism

Elective Courses

Students choose the remainder of their courses (nine in total) in subjects related to Canada offered by the faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts at UVic.

Estimated Fees

| Domestic students | International students
---|---|---
Full-time program application fee (non-refundable) | $100.00 | $100.00
UVic application fee | $84.25 | $157.00
Three required courses | $1,886.67 | $9,516.33
Nine elective courses | $5,660.01 | $28,548.99
UVic student fees | $1545.00 | $1810.00
Estimated Total |$9,275.93 |$40,132.32

Admission Requirements

This diploma is a credit program and requires admission to both the Canadian Studies program and the University of Victoria. Students applying to the Canadian Studies diploma program must meet UVic admission requirements, including the language proficiency requirement.

Application Information

To apply to the Canadian Studies diploma program, students must submit an online application describing their education and/or work background and interest in studying Canada. If accepted into the diploma program, students must then apply to the University of Victoria.

Application Dates

Starting in May 2026, applications are accepted until March 1, 2026. For the September 2026 intake, applications are accepted until July 1, 2026.

Program Length and Delivery Style

• Credential: Diploma
• Length: 2 years
• Estimated fees: $9,275.93 (Domestic), $40,132.32 (International)
• Delivery style: Blended

Graduation Information

If students have completed the requirements of the program, they should review the graduation deadlines and application.

Transfer Credit

With the permission of the Canadian Studies program steering committee, students may transfer up to 4.5 units of appropriate credit courses towards their diploma, as long as they have not previously used these credits towards a degree.

Related Topics

• History
• Political Science and Contemporary Issues

Similar Programs

• Intercultural Studies and Practice
• Indigenous Approaches to Governance in Canada
• General Studies
• Social Justice Studies