University of Waterloo

University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Canada

"Canada's leading university for engineering, computer science and co-op"

Public Research University STEM-focused Comprehensive 🌐 uwaterloo.ca https://uwaterloo.ca

At a Glance

Accept Rate —
Avg Salary/Yr —
Ranking #113 (QS)
PSW VISA Up to 3 years (PGWP)
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About University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo was founded in 1957 in Waterloo, Ontario, and runs the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education programme, alternating study and paid work terms. About 34,600 students (9,465 international) study in six faculties, and Waterloo is best known for computer science, software engineering, mathematics (the world's largest math faculty) and engineering. Its graduates are heavily recruited by tech firms in Canada and the US. It is ranked #=113 in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Rankings & Recognition

#113
QS World University Rankings 2026 Ranked #=113 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (#119 in 2026).

Ranked #=113 in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (#119 in 2026).

Accreditations & Memberships

U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities Universities Canada Co-operative Education and WIL Canada

QS 2026 Performance Breakdown

Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with University of Waterloo's global standing for that metric.

Academic Reputation 55.4#
Employer Reputation 74.8#
Faculty / Student 7.1#
Citations / Faculty 89.7#
Intl. Faculty 80.0#
Intl. Students 79.7#
Intl. Research Network 82.1#
Employment Outcomes 69.2#
Sustainability 91.6#
#

Key Facts

1957 Founded
34,644 Total Students (QS)
9,465 International
1,832 Faculty (QS)
World's largest programme Co-op

Popular Programs

Computer Science Software Engineering Mathematics Electrical and Computer Engineering Mechatronics Engineering Accounting and Financial Management Data Science Architecture

Application Details

Engineering Deadline (approx.) 15 January 2027
Other UG Deadline (approx.) 1 February 2027
Apply Through OUAC 105
Admission Info Form Required (most)
Proof of funds (2026) CAD 23,448 + 1st-year tuition

Standardized Test Requirements

TestMinimum Score
IELTS Academic
6.5 (W/S 6.5, R/L 6.0)
TOEFL iBT (new scale)
4.5 (W/S 5)
TOEFL iBT (old)
90 (W/S 25)
PTE Academic
63 (W/S 65)
Duolingo English Test
120 (lit./prod. 125)

Study Abroad & Visa Details

Visa Approval Rate —
I-20 Processing Study permit (LOA + PAL)
Post-Study Work Up to 3 years (PGWP)
Green Card Pathway Express Entry / PNP (PR)

Financials

Application Fee Approx. CAD 156 (OUAC)
Avg Scholarship CAD 10,000 (automatic)

Career Outcomes

72% Placement Ratio
Up to 3 years (PGWP) Post-Study Work
20 Work While Study

Where Graduates Land

Faculty & Alumni

Faculty (QS) — 1,832 International Staff — 29% —

Notable Alumni

Campus & Location

Waterloo's main campus is a 450-hectare site in Waterloo, Ontario, in the Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor, with satellite campuses in Kitchener (Health Sciences), Cambridge (Architecture) and Stratford.

Campus Details

Waterloo main campus
Kitchener (pharmacy)
Cambridge (architecture)
Stratford

Campus Forecast

Summer high approx. 26 C Winter high approx. -3 C Snow Dec-Mar

Student Life & Housing

Housing

First-year residence guarantee Waterloo rentals

Dining

Residence cafeterias

Health & Wellness

UHIP insurance

Activities & Clubs

Warriors varsity Hackathons and startups Co-op work terms

Diversity & Demographics

Total Students (QS) 34,644
International 9,465
Undergraduate 86.5%
Postgraduate 13.5%

Cost Deep-Dive

Engineering / CS (Intl, per term) CAD 34,597 (Winter 2026)
Mathematics (Intl, per term) CAD 28,970
Science (Intl, per term) CAD 24,560
Arts (Intl, per term) CAD 27,010
2 Terms Eng / CS About CAD 69,194 / year

Intakes & Deadlines

Waterloo admits first-year students in September. Apply through OUAC by about 15 January 2027 for Engineering and 1 February 2027 for most other programmes; English scores must arrive by the deadline.

Scholarships at University of Waterloo

4 scholarships available

View All 4
Bachelor's CAD 10,000 (5,000 x 2 terms)

International Student Entrance Scholarship

Deadline: Ask counsellor
Bachelor's CAD 25,000 - 80,000

Faculty of Science International Scholarship

Deadline: Ask counsellor
Master's

International Master's Award of Excellence

CAD 2,500 / term x 5 (approx.)

Deadline: Ask counsellor

These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate Class 12 with top grades (CS / Eng approx. 90%+) and Maths, Physics, Chemistry. IELTS 6.5 (W/S 6.5). Degrees: 4-5 years with co-op.
Postgraduate Bachelor's (B / approx. 75%+). IELTS 7.0 for some programmes. Master's: 1-2 years.

English Proficiency

IELTS Academic

6.5 (W/S 6.5, R/L 6.0)

TOEFL iBT (new scale)

4.5 (W/S 5)

TOEFL iBT (old)

90 (W/S 25)

PTE Academic

63 (W/S 65)

Duolingo English Test

120 (lit./prod. 125)

Required Documents

Valid passport Letter of Acceptance (LOA) PAL / TAL or CAQ Class 10 and 12 marksheets Bachelor degree and transcripts (PG) IELTS / PTE / TOEFL score report Proof of funds (GIC / bank / loan) Statement of purpose Tuition deposit receipt Upfront medical exam

Application Process

1
Choose programme
Pick a programme and check its entry rules on uwaterloo.ca.
2
Apply online
Submit the online application, pay the fee and upload transcripts and test scores.
3
Get your offer (LOA)
Receive a Letter of Acceptance; accept it and pay the tuition deposit.
4
PAL / TAL
The school issues a Provincial Attestation Letter for your study permit.
5
Study permit
Apply to IRCC online, give biometrics and wait for approval.
6
Arrive & study
Enter Canada, register, work up to 24 hrs/week and plan for PGWP.

Campus & Location

Waterloo's main campus is a 450-hectare site in Waterloo, Ontario, in the Toronto-Waterloo tech corridor, with satellite campuses in Kitchener (Health Sciences), Cambridge (Architecture) and Stratford.

6 of 6 courses
Bachelor's 4
University of Waterloo
📍 Waterloo
Bachelor's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 5 years (co-op)
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline 15 January 2027 (Eng) / 1 Feb (others)
University of Waterloo
📍 Waterloo
Bachelor's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 5 years (co-op)
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline 15 January 2027 (Eng) / 1 Feb (others)
University of Waterloo
📍 Waterloo
Bachelor's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 4-5 years
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline 15 January 2027 (Eng) / 1 Feb (others)
University of Waterloo
📍 Waterloo
Bachelor's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 5 years (co-op)
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline 15 January 2027 (Eng) / 1 Feb (others)
Master's 2
University of Waterloo
📍 Waterloo
Master's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 1-2 years
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline 15 January 2027 (Eng) / 1 Feb (others)
University of Waterloo
📍 Waterloo
Master's courses, Full-time
Study language: English
Duration: 1-2 years
Apply now! Next intake
Application open
Deadline 15 January 2027 (Eng) / 1 Feb (others)

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