Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.
Connect with Us
Show Me the Campus
Explore Our Programs
Study the prominent role of films and visual media in how people experience the modern world. Enrol in a Film Studies program that’s considered one of the top film programs in Canada. Courses equip you with an understanding of national cinemas, the history of film, different film genres, film theory and more. Take a specialization in Film Theory or Film Production or complete a diploma from the Vancouver Film School, along with your Bachelor of Arts, in only four years.
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 Ontario High School Admission Requirements.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements; you must also meet all program-specific requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.
University admissions is a complicated topic. That's why we created our Admissions Top Questions video series. Recruitment and Admissions experts will answer the questions you already have and some you didn't know you should ask – all in less than 5 minutes. New videos posted the first week of every month.
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 experience success 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 Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) program is an academic English program for Laurier applicants who have to prove English proficiency. 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 LEAF program.
Graduates from a two-year general Arts and Science diploma program can apply to Film Studies within the Faculty of Arts on Laurier’s Waterloo campus. To be considered for admission to the Faculty of Arts, graduates must have an overall average of 75% in their program and achieve a minimum of 60% in a 4U English course or equivalent.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for university students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
Our Film Studies program addresses the prominent role visual media play in our experience of the world today. Our courses equip you with an understanding of:
With three wide-ranging introductory courses, you'll have a choice of entry into the field of film studies in your first year. For upper-year students, we offer courses on film genres, theory, film history, national cinemas, and other topics. Our range of courses makes Film Studies at Laurier an engaging, richly diverse program both in Canada and internationally. Our partnership with the Vancouver Film School makes our program unique in the world.
The Vancouver Film School (VFS) pathway allows you the opportunity to enrich your critical study of cinema with practical training in film production, writing, or acting at Canada’s leading school for filmmaking.
In only four years, students in the VFS pathway complete an honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Laurier and a diploma from VFS. Film Studies students attend one of three VFS programs:
Our program gives you the opportunity to engage in hands-on production. You can graduate with a specialization in Film Theory or Film Production as part of your degree.
Consider adding one of these popular academic opportunities which allow you to broaden your knowledge:
Check out other options to enhance your degree.
You'll choose two of the following courses:
In addition, you'll choose 4.0 elective credits in courses that interest you.
Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.
You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.
Interested? Learn more about co-op.
Getting a university education is an investment in your future.
At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.
"Not everyone is lucky enough to get to study something they love for four years and then get to work in their chosen field. For me, that passion was film, and I owe the development of my love of film and my position within the industry to my time in the Laurier Film Studies program!"
"I will always be grateful to the professors at Laurier for investing so much in us and our learning. This has completely pushed me to where I am today."
Krista Boniface, communications, Academy of Canadian Cinema and TV
It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.
Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
"Vancouver Film School is a great choice for anyone who is serious about a career in hands-on film production. The entire program is focused exclusively on training students to an industry level of competence in their chosen discipline. Every specialization taught at VFS is packed full of intensive and thorough technical training, and the skills learned are constantly practiced through frequent productions and workshops."
Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.