Carleton Political Science admission requirements: English 4U and the 75% Arts (BA) cut-off range

Political Science sits inside Carleton's Bachelor of Arts. On the admissions program page, the requirements tool loads the Arts (BA) rules for Political Science. So you meet the BA requirements and choose Political Science as your major.

The calendar lists the B.A. Honours (20.0 credits), a Combined Honours with another subject, and a 15.0 credit B.A. You can add one of three concentrations: Canadian Politics and Public Policy, International Relations and World Politics, or Power and Political Ideas.

Ontario students need an OSSD with six Grade 12 courses at the 4U or 4M level. For the Arts (BA), the required course for all majors is English. Prerequisite courses must be at the 4U level, with no single grade below 60%.

Grade 12 co-op work experience credits don't count as one of the six. There is no math requirement for Political Science. Plan your Grade 12 mix with our course planner.

Carleton's requirements tool lists a cut-off range of 75% for Arts (BA). Carleton says the range applies to both your overall average and your prerequisite average, that it is set each year program by program, and that all programs have limited enrolment.

Carleton does not publish a separate cut-off, admitted average or acceptance rate for the Political Science major. The 75% figure covers every BA major. Treat it as a floor, not a target. Work out your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

Honours students start with PSCI 1100 Democracy in Theory and Practice and PSCI 1200 Politics in the World, plus a first year seminar (FYSM 1611) or another 1000 level PSCI course.

In second year you take PSCI 2301 and PSCI 2302 in the history of political thought, PSCI 2701 How to Do Research in Political Science and PSCI 2702 A Statistical Toolkit for Political Scientists. Of the 20.0 Honours credits, 8.0 must be electives outside Political Science, so you have room for a minor.

Each concentration is 4.0 credits. The Canadian Politics and Public Policy concentration starts with PSCI 2002 Canadian Politics and Society and PSCI 2003 Institutions and Power in Canadian Politics. The International Relations and World Politics concentration mixes international politics and comparative politics courses.

In fourth year, students with Honours standing and a Major CGPA of 9.00 or better may write an Honours Research Essay, PSCI 4908, worth 1.0 credit. You need a faculty supervisor and a grade of B- or better. Everyone else takes 4000 level seminars instead.

The Honours degree has a departmental language requirement. You must show basic skill in a language other than English, normally French. Most students do this with 1.0 credit at the 1000 level or higher in a language Carleton teaches.

The department also runs a French exam twice a year, in November and February. If you choose the Canadian Politics and Public Policy concentration, French must be the language you use. Keep French in Grade 11 or 12 if you can.

Political Science has a co-op option. The department says you can apply directly from high school by choosing the BA Honours Political Science program with the co-op option on OUAC. You complete three work terms, and students typically need an extra year.

To take part, the Co-op Office lists 5.0 or more credits done and an overall CGPA of at least 9.00, kept for the whole degree. The calendar says students who apply from high school have their university grades reviewed before the first work term. Recent placements include Global Affairs Canada, Elections Canada and Health Canada.

Without co-op, you can still work in Ottawa politics. The Ottawa Experience Placement (PSCI 3906 or PSCI 3907) places you in an office such as an MPP's office, a research firm or an advocacy group. It needs a 9.0 GPA and third or fourth year standing.

The Washington Center Internship Program puts Honours students in Washington, D.C. for one term. The calendar says it needs at least a 9.5 GPA in Political Science.

Carleton tells Ontario high school students to apply on OUAC by January 15, 2027 for the fall term. Within five days you get an email with your Carleton applicant number.

Winter entry has an earlier deadline of November 15, 2026, but only some programs allow it. For entrance scholarships, Carleton needs your complete application and all grades by June 15. Compare dates on our Ontario deadlines page.

Carleton's Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 fee table lists $7,624.02 for the first year of a Bachelor of Arts for Ontario students. That is fall and winter combined, with compulsory fees and the UPASS transit pass included, at 2.0 or more billing hours per term.

Second, third and fourth year are listed at $7,613.56. Housing, food and books are extra. Co-op adds costs that the Co-op Office explains on its own pages.

If you are admitted for fall with an admission average of 85% or better, Carleton automatically considers you for a renewable Entrance Scholarship. You must be coming from high school or CEGEP for the first time.

Prestige Scholarships need a 90% average or better, plus an application and a letter of reference by March 1. The scholarship page we checked doesn't list the dollar value of each entrance band.

Carleton has two other degrees close to Political Science. Global and International Studies (BGInS) also asks for English and lists a 75% range. Public Affairs and Policy Management (BPAPM) lists no specific prerequisites but an 80% to 82% range, and it costs more per year.

Choose Political Science if you want the widest choice of politics courses and room for a minor. The calendar also offers a Global Politics stream inside BGInS. Compare the course lists before you rank them on OUAC.

Political Science is direct entry through the BA with no supplementary application. The published number is a broad 75% BA range, so a stronger average gives more room and opens the 85% scholarship line.

Carleton lists careers such as diplomats, policy analysts, journalists, lawyers and pollsters. Read our Carleton admissions overview for the wider picture.