Undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen's have a multitude of exciting educational opportunities such as internships, study abroad programs, field studies, research and more. Check out the sections below to learn more.
Your First Year
Our students have the option to 1) go into the Arts or the Sciences and experience a “flexible and focused” first year or 2) choose to apply directly to one of our Direct Entry Programs
1. Flexible and Focused
Students at Queen's that are admitted into a Bachelor of Arts or Science experience a flexible and focused first year. Through self-exploration, and while you settle into university life, you have the chance to explore courses and uncover where your real interests and opportunities for success are.
Flexible: Take any 5 courses with no requirements and select your major after first year
Focused: One first-year course will be your pathway to your major, so you are working toward your degree from day one
Benefits of a flexible and focused first year
You get to “test-drive” your major! 50% of undergraduate students change majors — with many doing so two and three times during their post-secondary years (Dr. Fritz Grupe, founder of mymajors.com). Arts and Science students have the opportunity to 'try' out their areas of interest before committing to their major.
Selecting your major
You will select your degree plan (i.e. major) at the end of your first year. When you are beginning the registration process for your second year, you will be required to request your degree concentration. Please note that many programs do have first year grade cutoffs required to proceed to second year. Please read the individual departmental regulations in the Arts and Science Academic Calendar for more information.
2. Direct Entry
Already know what degree you want to pursue at Queen’s? Arts and Science offers a variety of Direct Entry Programs you can apply to, so you are working towards your degree plan from the moment you start at Queen’s. Admission into our direct entry programs is extremely competitive and may require extra steps. The following programs offer a direct entry pathway:
Internships
Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP)
The Queen’s Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP) provides you with a 12 to 16 month work experience during your academic journey. QUIP internships are competitively paid, professionally supervised, career-related positions designed to offer you the opportunity to gain real world experience, while applying academic skills in a practical work setting and developing industry connections.
Subject-based Internships
Art History & Art Conservation
Computing
- Students in the Bachelor of Computing (Honours) program can register to do a Professional Internship
Global Development Studies
History
- HIST 212 - Experiential Learning in Historical Practice
- HIST 501/502 - Queen's Archives Internship Opportunities
Kinesiology and Health Studies
Political Studies
Field Studies
Queen's University Biological Station
The Queen's University Biological Station (QUBS) has been a pivotal part of research and teaching at Queen's University for more than six decades. Located 50 km north of Kingston, QUBS encompasses approximately 3000 hectares of property, a range of habitat types typical of Eastern Ontario, and many species of conservation concern in Canada. The Station hosts myriad field courses, school groups, and outreach workshops annually.
Venice Summer School
The Department of Art History & Art Conservation offers a 4-week, 6-credit travel study course that gives students the extraordinary opportunity to experience Venice and the Venice Biennale exhibition firsthand. The course is held in even years during the month of May and can be used as a full course credit toward any degree in the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Biology Field Courses
The Department of Biology offers field courses with opportunities to travel across the globe, from the Queen's University Biological Station, just 50 km north of campus, to Algonquin Park, the Adirondacks, China, Mexico, Tanzania and many other spectacular places. These courses provide amazing opportunities to gain hands-on experience in different field sites. Class sizes are small (usually 10-20 students) and focus on sampling diverse habitats, identifying different kinds of organisms, understanding their ecology and evolution, conducting independent research studies, and developing strong science communication skills.
Archaeological Digs
The Department of Classics and Archaeology hosts two international excavation projects, one in Italy (Caere) and the other in the Republic of North Macedonia (Stobi). Students can apply to participate in these excavations as volunteers (no credit) or for credit toward their degree. Information about the upcoming dig season and respective application deadlines are made available in the early to mid-fall term. Visit the Faculty-Directed Field Work webpage for more information.
Study in Cuba
Offered by the Department of Global Development Studies, DEVS 306 and 307 are courses that are part of an exchange agreement between Queen's and the University of Havana, and have been offered since 2008.
Study Abroad
There are plenty of opportunities to study abroad during your undergraduate studies with Queen's Arts and Science. You can go on an international exchange with one of our 85 partner universities worldwide, participate in a departmental study abroad program or pursue our International Studies Certificate.
Student Experience Office
The Student Experience Office (SEO) at Queen's University offers programs and services to orient students to university life, to support their successful transitions into and through university, and to encourage leadership development, student engagement, and co-curricular involvement while at Queen's. Their programs and services help prepare students to achieve not only their personal, social, and academic goals, but also their professional and community aspirations.
What Our Students Say
Watch the videos below to see what some of our students have to say about studying Humanities, Social Sciences, Life and Physical Sciences, Languages and Cultures and the Creative Arts at Queen's.