Political science or international relations: looking beyond the title
Two programs with similar names can offer substantially different paths. At Université de Sherbrooke, the international relations stream is part of a bachelor's degree in applied political studies whose core curriculum includes statistics and research methods. At Université Laval, the integrated bachelor's degree combines political science, law and economics. At UBC Okanagan, international relations draws on political science, history, sociology, economics and anthropology, among other disciplines.
The right question is therefore not just “which university should I choose?” but “what approaches to analysing political issues will I learn?” An interdisciplinary program and a program structured more closely around political science do not necessarily suit the same preferences.
To compare programs, start with the required courses. Identify the emphasis placed on quantitative methods, economic analysis and courses on institutions or international issues. Then examine opportunities for more in-depth study: are you particularly interested in a region of the world, a topic or a method? Finally, ask which courses will actually be offered during your studies. An appealing elective should not, on its own, determine your choice.
Universities and programs
The four institutions below offer complementary points of comparison. This is not a ranking: three references concern specific programs, while the Ottawa reference provides an opportunity to examine language and co-op arrangements.
| Institution and reference | Features to compare | Point to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Université de Sherbrooke — Baccalauréat en études politiques appliquées — Cheminement en relations internationales | 90-credit bachelor's degree; foundation includes statistics and research methods. The École de politique appliquée offers internships at the undergraduate and graduate levels. | The availability of internships establishes neither guaranteed placement nor assured access to a government department. |
| Université Laval — Baccalauréat intégré en affaires publiques et relations internationales | Program combining political science, law and economics; 90 credits and an estimated duration of three years of full-time study. | The stated duration does not necessarily include any preliminary preparation that may be required; enrolment in the program is limited. |
| The University of British Columbia — International Relations | At the Okanagan campus, a Bachelor of Arts with a major in international relations; the program profile lists four years and a co-op option. | Do not confuse Okanagan with Vancouver; access to co-op and placement must be examined separately. |
| University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa | French Immersion Stream and the operation of co-operative education. | Check access to these options for your intended program; this reference does not identify a specific disciplinary degree. |
The stated durations are reference points specific to the programs presented, not a general rule for comparing provinces or universities. Also compare the point of entry into the program and the requirements applicable to your application.
French, English and bilingualism: defining your goal
Studying in a bilingual environment, taking some courses in a second language and earning an official immersion designation are three different things. Do not infer the language of a degree solely from an institution's bilingual character.
At the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa, the French Immersion Stream is intended for eligible anglophone and allophone students who wish to complete part of their studies in French with language support. It is therefore not an option intended indiscriminately for all francophones.
The immersion designation has specific requirements: generally at least 42 credits in French, distributed according to defined requirements, and successful completion of FLS 3500. Exceptions and detailed provisions apply. The conditions for any financial assistance are also separate from those for the designation.
Before choosing, ask which language is used for required courses, assessments and practical experiences. Set yourself a concrete goal: do you primarily want to study in your strongest language, or to learn how to write an analysis and present a briefing in your second language? This distinction will help you assess the support you need, rather than choosing solely on the basis of the “bilingual” label.
Ottawa: examining the internship arrangements, not just the address
To assess an opportunity for practical experience, start with how the university's arrangements work. At the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa, co-op admission criteria vary by program. The co-op system includes rules for approving work terms and graduation requirements.
Under these regulations, co-op work terms completed in Canada must be paid in accordance with applicable standards, while some international work terms may be unpaid. This rule is specific to the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa's co-op system: it does not describe all internships offered in Canada.
The regulations also account for the possibility that a person may not obtain a work term despite participating in the placement process. A support service should therefore not be interpreted as an automatic assignment to a position.
Before accepting an offer of admission, ask the co-op office concrete questions:
- Is admission to co-op integrated into the program, or does it involve a separate selection process?
- What is the work-term schedule, and what fees should you expect?
- How much of the employer search is the student's responsibility?
- What happens if no placement is secured?
- Which employers and job postings are accessible given your status?
This last question is particularly important if your plans depend on experience in the federal public service.
Government internships: distinguishing recruitment pathways and status
Federal opportunities should not be presented as an automatic extension of studying in Ottawa. Two programs, in particular, follow distinct rules.
| Federal program | Rule to know | Implication for your plans |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Student Work Experience Program | Preference is given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet the requirements. Conditions relating to student status also apply. | Being a student in Canada is not enough to qualify for this preference. |
| Post-Secondary Co-op/Internship Program | The study program must be approved. International students authorized to work may be considered when no eligible Canadian student is available; this category includes citizens and permanent residents. | Access depends on the program, work authorization and recruitment rules. |
For an international student, authorization to work and access to a recruitment process are two separate questions. An immigration rule permitting an internship does not remove the federal program's conditions.
Ask your university's service how to verify your program's recognition and your eligibility for job postings. In your financial plan, do not count on a still-hypothetical internship in a government department. Also prepare options for experience outside the federal public service and examine each posting individually.
Admission: building a shortlist suited to your qualifications
You must distinguish between holding an eligible diploma and being admitted. At Université Laval, the French general or technological secondary school leaving diploma is among the recognized entry qualifications for the integrated bachelor's degree presented here. However, enrolment in the program remains limited, and selection is based on the application file. Deadlines vary by applicant category.
This example does not establish the requirements of other universities. For each one, prepare a tracking table indicating:
- the entry qualification accepted for your previous educational background;
- language requirements;
- the transcripts and supplementary documents required;
- the deadline corresponding to your applicant category;
- separate procedures for an option such as immersion or co-op, if it interests you.
This approach allows you to separate two decisions: which programs appeal to you and which programs have stated requirements that your application meets. Do not transfer either a deadline or an admission requirement from one institution to another.
Budget: do not confuse university fees with proof of financial support
Tuition fees must be calculated according to the applicable status. Université Laval distinguishes, in particular, between Quebec students, Canadian students from outside Quebec, French students, French-speaking Belgian students and other international students. This distinction alone does not determine your bill: consult the fee schedule corresponding to your situation and planned courses.
For international students to whom it applies, immigration proof of financial support involves a separate calculation:
| Jurisdiction | Annual minimum for one person | Effective date and limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Quebec | 23,448 Canadian dollars for living expenses | Applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026; tuition fees and transportation are additional. |
| Quebec | 24,617 Canadian dollars for basic needs | Applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026; tuition fees and round-trip transportation from the country of origin are additional. Basic needs include housing, settling-in expenses, local transportation and insurance, among other items. |
These amounts, consulted on October 24, 2026, are not directly comparable: their scope differs. They are administrative thresholds, not estimates of the cost of your stay or a guarantee of a sufficient budget.
Build your personal budget separately: university fees, housing, food, insurance, transportation and other planned expenses. In this budget, only deduct internship earnings once they have actually been confirmed. For proof of financial support for a study permit, however, IRCC requires you to demonstrate sufficient resources without working in Canada. Expected earnings must therefore not be confused with the resources you need to demonstrate for this process.
Permits and internships: incorporating the rule that took effect in 2026
For international students, a study permit is generally required for a program lasting more than six months. In Quebec, a Québec Acceptance Certificate is also required under the applicable rules. University admission does not replace these procedures.
An important change concerns internships: since April 1, 2026, eligible post-secondary international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit for work placements required by their program. IRCC confirmed this change in a notice published on April 9, 2026.
This measure does not apply indiscriminately to every optional internship. In particular, the placement must be required and approved by the designated learning institution; the study permit and other eligibility conditions must be examined. Refer to IRCC's current instructions to determine the applicable rule.
This information was consulted on October 24, 2026, and constitutes general information, not individual immigration advice.
When making your decision, your final shortlist should answer five questions: which courses, in which languages, with what accessible practical experience, at what total cost and under what administrative conditions? Precise answers to these questions are more valuable when choosing your path than a general promise of an international career.