Northern Studies
You can begin this program at an
off-campus site through a satellite campus or regional partner.
off-campus site through a satellite campus or regional partner.
The North is quickly becoming one of the most studied and politically-relevant regions in Canada and around the world. Our program focuses solely on the Circumpolar North, where students study the region’s land, environment, people, culture and issues. We also offer several travel and study abroad opportunities for students, including the North2North Student Exchange Program and the option to study at one of the University of Arctic’s member institutions. This results in exciting international learning opportunities, as students can study in Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and Alaska.
Program Options
Bachelor of Arts - Northern Studies
- B.A. Four-year
- B.A. Three-year
- B.A. Honours
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Admission requirements depend on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
What is Northern Studies?
The main Northern Studies courses developed by the University of the
Arctic investigate the land, environment, people, culture and
contemporary issues of the circumpolar world. Northern Studies is an
interdisciplinary program where students benefit from a broad range of
knowledge from a variety of disciplines, including the following:
The core courses can be taken online or on campus and are open to students at all University of the Arctic member institutions. As a consortium member, the University of Saskatchewan is committed to recognizing and offering credit for the core courses.
In Northern Studies, there are many opportunities awaiting students in the field—and that means international opportunities for hands-on experience and expanding your horizons.
- northern studies
- biology
- economics
- english
- geography
- geology
- history
- native studies
- political studies
- agriculture and bioresources
The core courses can be taken online or on campus and are open to students at all University of the Arctic member institutions. As a consortium member, the University of Saskatchewan is committed to recognizing and offering credit for the core courses.
In Northern Studies, there are many opportunities awaiting students in the field—and that means international opportunities for hands-on experience and expanding your horizons.
Northern Studies: Is it for you?
- Northern Studies is unique at the University of Saskatchewan and in the province, as it focuses on one region of interest: the Circumpolar North.
- The University of Saskatchewan is a consortium North2North member of the University of the Arctic. As a result, the U of S can connect students to the North like no other institution in Canada.
- Through the U of S Study Abroad Program, students pursuing Northern Studies have the option to study at one of the University of the Arctic’s other member institutions. This results in international opportunities for students in Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States (Alaska).
- Travel to these countries to discover the challenges facing other northern communities and the ways in which they are addressed. The North2North Student Exchange Program caters to students interested in the North, and also gives students the chance to study with people from around the world. Contact the Study Abroad Coordinator in the College of Arts & Science for detailed information about these opportunities and more!
Sample Classes
- NRTH 322: Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World II
Aims to promote an integrated and multidisciplinary understanding of the circumpolar peoples and their adaptations and contributions to social, economic, political, and environmental changes. This course describes the emergence of tertiary societies and a description of self-determination, followed by sections on identity and language, media, arts and literature, education, recreation and family, respective to the three primary Circumpolar regions: North America and Greenland, Siberia and Northern Asia, and Northern Scandinavia and North-west Russia. - NRTH 332: Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar World II
Students will deal with the main challenges confronting the peoples and communities of the world's northern regions, in terms of governance and politics, social issues, education and knowledge systems, and global issues. - POLS 422: Aboriginal Development Strategies
Examines Aboriginal development strategies in Canada with particular attention to Aboriginal Nations in Saskatchewan. Attention is devoted to cultural, economic and political development. The course examines the various factors that foster or inhibit the various types of development within Aboriginal communities. It is designed to provide students with a an academic basis for analyzing existing development strategies in Aboriginal communities
Career Opportunities
- Resource Management Consultant
- Conservationist
- Researcher
- Journalist
- Policy Analyst
- Environmental Officer
Skill Sets Gained
- Research skills and methods
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Organizational/Planning skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork/interpersonal skills
- Technical skills
- Communication skills: written/oral
- Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
- Conducting field research
