History at the University of Waterloo offers recognized excellence in research and in teaching. Diverse learning experiences emphasize innovative thematic approaches, as captured in our undergraduate specializations.
Through courses, as well as Co-operative education, international experiences, and experiential learning opportunities, our graduates possess a unique set of technical, creative, critical, and analytical skills of value to diverse career pathways.
Our graduate program is part of the Tri-University partnership, one of the largest History graduate programs in Canada. We offer both Masters and Doctoral programs with numerous research opportunities.
We invite you to explore our website and learn more about our dynamic department!
Undergraduate
Curious about studying history? Explore our undergraduate program that offers history courses that not only enrich your knowledge but prepare you for future careers in the field.
Graduate
Fascinated with history? Learn more about our graduate program and contact our team to walk you through the application process and answer any questions you may have.
Alumni
We want to hear from you! Share your alumni experience with us and how our programs helped you become passionate for history in your current career.
News
Dr. Blair explores the women's movement in Ontario
In "Teenage Feminists: High School Students and the Women's Movement in Ontario, 1968-1980," Dr. Megan Blair explored the ways in which teenagers engaged in feminism during the upsurge of feminist activism during the late 1960s and 1970s. Her dissertation argues that girls participated in feminism in a multitude of ways such as challenging their exclusion on sports teams, wearing pants to school, or taking industrial arts classes. Girls also engaged in more explicit forms of feminism such as advocating for reproductive rights or joining women's liberation groups.
Matthew Wiseman Shortlisted for Best (English-Language) Scholarly Book in Canadian History Prize
Congratulations to History faculty member Matthew Wiseman for being shortlisted for this year’s Canadian Historical Association's Best (English-Language) Scholarly Book in Canadian History prize along with the following other authors.
- Crystal Gail Fraser, By Strength, We Are Still Here: Indigenous Peoples and Indian Residential Schooling in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. University of Manitoba Press, 2024.
- Gregory M.W. Kennedy, Lost in the Crowd: Acadian Soldiers of Canada’s First World War. McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024.
- Mark G. McGowan, Finding Molly Johnson: Irish Famine Orphans in Canada. McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024.
- Shannon Stunden Bower, Transforming the Prairies: Agricultural Rehabilitation and Modern Canada. University of British Columbia Press, 2024.
- Matthew S.Wiseman, Frontier Science: Northern Canada, Military Research, and the Cold War, 1945-1970. University of Toronto Press, 2024.
Congratulations to all the authors! The winning book will be announced at the CHA’s prize ceremony on June 3rd, 2025.
Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation - Awards of Excellence
The Awards of Excellence, inaugurated in 1983, are intended to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals, institutions and organizations to heritage preservation in Waterloo Region, in such areas as archaeology, archives, culture, education, genealogy, history, literature, media, natural history and others.