Business Administration (BBA) + Computer Science (BCS), University of Waterloo

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Laurier and the Cheriton School of Computer Science at UWaterloo have teamed up to offer a powerhouse double-degree program. Explore every facet of business—accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, and more—while also mastering computer programming, software engineering, algorithms, data structures, and the social implications of computing.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Graduate with an Edge: In just five years, you'll earn both a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS), giving you a competitive edge for high-impact careers in business and technology.
  • Teaching Excellence: Learn from distinguished professors and industry executives who provide training that reflects the realities of today's business world.
  • Accomplished Alumni: With more than 600 alumni who are Presidents or CEOs, and over 2,000 alumni who have founded their own companies, you’ll benefit from a strong and supportive network that opens doors to opportunities and mentorship.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Co-op: Get career-ready and take part in our awarded co-op program, gaining 12 to 16 months of work experience while earning two degrees in only five years.
  • Live Case Solving Real Problems: In your very first semester, you'll work in a group to answer a strategic business question posed by a real company.
  • BDO Future Leaders Challenge: Working in a team, you'll generate and present a concept, value proposition and business plan to industry judges.
  • Integrated Case Exercise (ICE) Week: In your third year, you'll put your business knowledge to the test during a 10-day live case competition. Within a group, you'll analyze a real problem facing a real company and offer real solutions.

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Courses

  • Understanding the Business Environment
  • Critical Thinking and Communication Skills
  • Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • Introduction to Mathematics for Finance
  • Calculus I and II
  • Introduction to Mathematical Proofs

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Windows Application Programming
  • Human Resources Management
  • Ethics and Professional Practice in Computer Science

Concentrations

You'll build a solid foundation and become a well-rounded business and computer science graduate. Within your BBA courses, you also also have the opportunity to choose one of the 10 concentrations in upper years:

  • Accounting
  • Business and Sustainability
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Insurance and Risk Management
  • International Business
  • Marketing
  • Strategic Management
  • Supply Chain Management
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AACSB Accredidation

The Lazaridis BBA program is offered by the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – delivering on excellence and the highest standards for business schools in the world. 

 

Admissions

  • Format: full time
  • Duration: five years
  • Start: September (fall term)
  • OUAC code: UWB

You must meet the requirements of both programs to be accepted. If you choose to apply to Laurier and accept Laurier’s offer of admission, your main campus will be Laurier and you will automatically be entered into Laurier’s business degree co-op program, the largest business co-op program in Canada. You’ll take classes at both universities and receive a student card from both universities for convenience.

Your Career Awaits

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?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • application developer
  • business analyst
  • chief information officer
  • computer security specialist
  • cyber security specialist
  • project manager
  • research engineer
  • security systems programmer
  • software developer/engineer
  • technology consultant

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Your Co-op Experience

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.

As a student in this program, you’ll be required to take part in Canada’s largest business degree co-op program, gaining 12 to 16 months of work experience while earning these two degrees in only five years.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

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98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024

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Tuition and Scholarships

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.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?