The Scholar’s Electives program allows students who have demonstrated outstanding academic potential to apply to Western for admission to both a primary, discipline-based program of study and the Scholar’s Electives module. The program is designed to provide an intellectually stimulating learning environment for students who truly wish to undertake an interdisciplinary and/or laboratory research experience. Its goal is to foster a community of scholars who have diverse disciplinary and research interests, but a general intellectual curiosity about most disciplines. The program is intended primarily for students who are interested in completing a four-year Honors degree before moving on to their chosen careers.

Those selected will comprise a small group (no larger than 50-75 students per year at the constituent university) who will, in addition to their Honors degree courses, enrol in a Scholar’s Electives module comprised of 3.0 courses. The interdisciplinary courses in the Scholar’s Electives module will be taught by faculty members from more than one Faculty and expose students to significant ideas from different disciplines.

The small enrolment in the program will enable the students to connect with one another and ensure greater individual contact with faculty members. Development and staffing of the Scholar’s Electives modular courses will be the responsibility of the participating faculties.

Each Affiliated University College also offers a Scholar’s Electives program leading to a BA degree under the same conditions. Admission to the program shall be granted by the Academic Dean (Brescia or King’s University College) or Dean of Arts and Social Science (Huron University College) and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Dean(s) of the constituent university faculties involved in the proposed course of study.

While the primary benefit of enrolling in Scholar's Electives is the flexibility to achieve personal and unique academic goals, there are a number of ancillary benefits associated with the program. Scholar's Electives students will have the benefit of being paired with a Faculty mentor each year. The mentor will serve as the student’s primary academic advisor, working in collaboration with an Academic Counsellor from the student’s home Faculty. The mentor will hold regular meetings with the student to monitor the student’s progress and provide advice if necessary. Students will also have the opportunity to network and build a community with other high-achieving students through planned activities and events facilitated by both the Faculties and the Centre for New Students.

See SCHOLAR'S ELECTIVES PROGRAM section.

Scholar's Electives Program SR.06-117