International bachelor of arts

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Faculty: Humanities and Social Sciences Campus: St. John's; Online (partially)
Honours available: Yes (varies by major) Length: Four years + a study abroad internship semester
Prospective students: Fill out our student inquiry form to receive updates from Memorial.
Faculty website University Calendar


The international bachelor of arts (iBA) is designed to prepare students for a future as global citizens. 

The iBA program is designed for those who are interested in the study of global dynamics and worldwide issues from the perspective of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The program’s objectives are to provide knowledge and analytical skills essential for research and work on cultural, economic, political, religious and social processes on a global scale.

The iBA differs from the existing bachelor of arts (BA) in that it requires additional designated international studies courses and language study courses, although both the iBA and BA require completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours. 

You are also required to reside outside of Canada for a period of time during the program by either (1) participating in a Memorial field school or studying at a non-Canadian institution or (2) participating in an international work placement outside of Canada. 

Students interested in the iBA should review the Calendar regulations for major/minor combinations and connect with an academic advisor for guidance.

 

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Major and minor options 

Majors

Single discipline majors

*Currently not accepting new students

Interdisciplinary majors

Interdisciplinary programs are those that include views and perspectives from more than one academic discipline at Memorial.

An interdisciplinary major must be combined with a second major from a single discipline offered in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Other available majors

These additional major programs are not housed in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. A student completing one of these major programs must complete an additional major program from a single discipline offered in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Minors

Single discipline minors 

*Currently not accepting new students

Interdisciplinary minors

An interdisciplinary minor must be combined with a major from a single discipline offered in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Other available minors

A student completing one of these minor programs must complete a major from a single discipline offered in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

  • Business administration
  • Faculty of Science subject areas
  • Music and culture
  • Music history

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Admission requirements to degree

New Memorial and transfer students

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

IntakeApplication deadline
Fall (September) semester March 1
Winter (January) semester Oct. 1
Spring (May) semester Feb. 1

You may apply for admission into the iBA program directly from high school by indicating international bachelor of arts as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission. Direct entry into the faculty from high school is subject to you meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University.

You may choose your intended major at the time of application or explore your options and declare a major in a later semester.

Graduation requirements for the iBA are slightly higher than those of the regular BA.

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Current Memorial students

You can declare your intent to complete the iBA by emailing registrar@mun.ca, normally in your first or second year. You should also consult with a Humanities and Social Sciences academic advisor before declaring iBA, as it may not be possible to complete the requirements for the degree in the normal time.

Humanities and Social Sciences academic advisor will connect you with the Go Abroad Coordinator or a Co-Op academic staff member, depending on the international component the student intends to complete. 

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Your first year

Have a look at a sample schedule of 10 courses you may need to take in your first year of an iBA program.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

FALL SEMESTERWINTER SEMESTER
English 1090
(first required critical reading and writing (CRW) course)
second required CRW course, if possible consider taking a course from major subject area
first required language study (LS) course1 second required LS course1
first required quantitative reasoning (QR) course second required QR course
major program course major program course
elective (international studies (IS) course recommended) elective (IS course recommended)
  1. Both LS courses must be in the same language. If your first language is not English and you do not meet the standards for entry into regular first-year English courses you may use English 1020 and 1021 to fulfill this requirement. Such students are permitted to complete up to an additional six credit hours in English CRW courses at the 1000 level in order to fulfill the CRW requirement.
Future course offerings: The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences posts anticipated future course offerings to help you plan your degree.

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences or email a Humanities and Social Sciences academic advisor.

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Degree Requirements

An international bachelor of arts (iBA) degree requires the completion of 120 credit hours which include:

  • major or honours program
  • minor (or second major) program
  • core requirements of the bachelor of arts
    • breadth of knowledge
    • critical reading and writing (CRW)
    • language study (LS)
    • quantitative reasoning (QR)
  • additional university-level LS courses
  • international studies (IS) courses
  • participation in either an international study or internship placement requiring residency outside of Canada

Additional language study requirements

You must complete 12 credit hours in LS courses as outlined by the Faculty's LS requirements:

  • six credit hours in university-level study of a single language to satisfy the LS requirement
  • six additional credit hours in eligible LS courses

International studies course requirements

You must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours in designated IS courses as outlined by the Faculty's IS requirements.