The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies plays an important role in enhancing the University's reputation among academics and employers, as demonstrated by April’s QS World University Rankings by Subject report.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). The QS Ranking by Subject evaluates a total of 55 disciplines annually, categorized into five main subject areas: arts and humanities, engineering and technology, life sciences and medicine, natural sciences, and social sciences and management.
In the recent report — which evaluated more than 15,000 programs from 1,561 institutions worldwide — LA&PS contributed to York’s ranking among the top 100 globally and top five in Canada for philosophy (tied for second) and English language and literature (fourth in Canada). In addition, the Faculty helped secure rankings within the top 150 globally and top five in Canada for six more subject areas including anthropology, history, accounting and finance, communication and media studies, development studies and sociology. LA&PS also contributed to program rankings within the top 10 in Canada for modern languages, linguistics, business & management studies, economics & econometrics, and politics & international studies.
The latest rankings are a testament to the Faculty's unwavering dedication to its 2021-2026 Academic Plan, which prioritizes student learning, fosters innovation, and promotes access to social justice and global opportunities. LA&PS remains steadfast in delivering high-quality educational programs that equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a rapidly evolving world. And it has exciting new programs in development. Currently, faculty in LA&PS are developing a new Black Studies undergraduate honours degree program. This dynamic offering will be available in both in-person and online formats, and is scheduled to launch in September 2025.
As part of its efforts to enhance program offerings and create pathways for students seeking to bridge skill gaps, LA&PS introduced a 12 U Math waiver course in summer 2023. It will build on this initiative to develop a framework for similar non-degree courses that enhance access for students.
With the opening of the new Markham Campus this fall, LA&PS will introduce four new undergraduate options, enriching the diversity of academic interests and providing students with real-life experiential learning opportunities. These programs encompass communication, social media & public relations (BA), entrepreneurship & innovation (BCom), financial technologies (BSc) and sport management (BSM), further expanding opportunities for students to explore their passions and prepare for successful futures. LA&PS graduate programming at the new Markham Campus will include a Graduate Diploma in Management, a Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law (Municipal Government field) (MPPAL), and a Master of Science in Management Practice (MSc).