University of New Brunswick

What you'll study

This programme combines humanities and social-science approaches to study how culture is produced, circulated and contested. Core themes include cultural theory, comparative methods, and research skills, taught alongside topical modules in areas such as postcolonial studies, gender and sexuality, Indigenous studies, migration, visual and media cultures, and cultural policy.

• Core courses: introductions to cultural theory and comparative methods, research methods in cultural studies, and a capstone seminar or honours thesis/project.
• Thematic modules: postcolonial and decolonial approaches, globalisation and transnational cultures, race and identity, gender and sexuality studies, and public memory and heritage.
• Media and practice: courses in visual culture, film and media studies, digital culture, curatorial practice or community-based cultural projects.
• Language and area studies: options to study additional languages and regional literatures to support comparative work.
• Experiential learning: opportunities for internships, community placements, fieldwork and collaborative projects with museums, cultural organisations or community groups.

Programme structure typically includes a combination of required core units in the first years, followed by elective specialisations and a substantive independent research or capstone component in the final year. Students may choose an honours route or a general major depending on their academic goals.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary-school diploma with a competitive overall average. Specific course prerequisites vary by applicant background, but strong performance in humanities or social sciences subjects (for example English, history, social studies or modern languages) is normally recommended.

• Domestic applicants: provincial high-school completion with an appropriate academic average; supplementary documentation (personal statement or writing sample) may be requested in some cases.
• International applicants: an equivalent secondary qualification recognised by the university and evidence of English-language proficiency where required.
• Mature and transfer applicants: previous post-secondary study, work experience and transfer credit are considered; applicants should consult admissions advisors for evaluation of prior learning.

Meeting minimum admission standards does not guarantee entry; selection is competitive and based on academic preparation and the availability of spaces.

Career prospects

Graduates gain analytical, research and communication skills that are widely applicable across sectors. Typical career paths include work in:

• museums, galleries and heritage organisations (curation, interpretation and collections work)
• arts and cultural administration, festivals and event management
• publishing, journalism, media production and public relations
• community and non-governmental organisations, especially in multicultural and Indigenous-serving contexts
• government and policy roles related to cultural policy, heritage and immigration
• education and research at postgraduate level (MA, professional masters, PhD)

The degree also provides a strong foundation for careers that require critical thinking, project management and cross-cultural communication.

Why study at University of New Brunswick

The University of New Brunswick offers a small‑class environment within a research-active university, allowing close interaction with faculty whose work spans literature, anthropology, media studies and Indigenous scholarship. Students benefit from interdisciplinary teaching, opportunities for applied learning through community partnerships, and access to regional archives, museums and cultural organisations in New Brunswick.

UNB’s campus environment supports experiential learning—students can pursue internships, community-based projects and supervised research as part of their degree. The programme’s location in a province with rich linguistic, Indigenous and migration histories provides strong local and regional contexts for comparative cultural study.

Advising services and career support at the university help students translate their degree into practical experience and employment, or to prepare for further graduate study in cultural studies and related fields.