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University of Waterloo is a renowned public research university in Canada. It is the #1 innovative university according to Macleans, 2023. University of Waterloo Campus exhibits 100+ buildings managed by 6 faculties. The university houses 42,000 full-time and part-time students. This includes over 4,500 international students constituting 10.7% of the total student body.
International students can choose from over 100 undergraduate courses and nearly 200 graduate programs at University of Waterloo. The University of Waterloo offers three admission intakes- Fall, Winter, and Spring. It's important to note that admission at University of Waterloo to most programs at the university begins a year before the program start date. 73% of students pursuing undergraduate courses at University of Waterloo are enrolled to co-op programs.
96% of the co-op graduates of the university secured jobs within 6 months of graduation. Top employers offering placement at University of Waterloo includes Apple, Google, Pfizer, Deloitte, Bank of Montreal, and Johnson and Johnson. University of Waterloo stimulates a strong startup culture in its students. In the last decade, Waterloo Entrepreneurship Program has generated over 7,500 jobs and revenue worth 2.3 billion CAD.
University of Waterloo Courses
University of Waterloo offers over 100 undergraduate courses and over 200 graduate courses to the international students. Computer Science program of the university is ranked #1 by Maclean’s in 2022.
The university is known for its graduate courses in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence to cope up with the modern technological issues. Robotics, Biotechnology, Data Science are some of the most popular undergraduate programs at University of Waterloo. The university is also known for offering more than 70% undergraduate students with co-op programs.
University of Waterloo Rankings
The University of Waterloo is ranked as the most innovative university in Canada and the second-best overall university in the country by Maclean's 2023 rankings. Additionally, it has been ranked as the third-highest quality university in Canada. Following are some of the top rankings of the university according to various reputed ranking agencies:
| Ranking Agency | Ranking 2023 |
|---|---|
| Maclean’s University Ranking | #3 |
| QS World University Rankings | #154 |
| Best Global Universities US News | #191 |
| World University Rankings THE | #201-250 |
| Best Global Universities in Canada US News | #8 |
Read more: University of Waterloo Subject Ranking
University of Waterloo Ranking Comparison
The subject-specific ranking comparison of University of Waterloo with some of the top universities in Canada are as follows:
| Subject | University of Waterloo | University of Toronto | McGill University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | #42 | #37 | #120 |
| Space Science | #201 | #14 | #68 |
| Chemistry | #119 | #37 | #131 |
| Physics | #220 | #31 | #125 |
Also Check the following comparison:
University of Waterloo Campus
The main campus of University of Waterloo is a huge area of 1000 acres (404 hectares) and lies in the city of Waterloo, Ontario. The campus is surrounded at the borders by Waterloo Park, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Laurel Creek Conservation Area. With 3 numbered roads intersecting the main campus, it is easily accessible via public transport.
- Majority of the teaching facilities available at the institute are centered on a ring road which lies in its southern area. While most of the campus buildings are new, there are buildings that send nostalgic vibes and are as old as the 19th century.
- The institute also has its own 'Earth Sciences Museum' and the largest Centre for Quantum Research under its 'Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre'.
- With more than 200 academic, charitable, social, political, sports, and cultural student clubs, and over 100 volunteer services, the university campus is a thriving site of learning and growth.
- Over a dozen restaurants, cafés, music venues, at a 20-minute distance from campus ensures there is never short of fun and recreational activities for students.
- On-campus meals comprising halal, kosher, vegan, vegetarian, and customized options are a must-try by every on-campus resident.
University of Waterloo Accommodation
The University of Waterloo provides a range of accommodation options to suit the diverse needs and budgets of its students. Whether seeking on-campus or off-campus housing, aspiring students can choose from an array of styles and amenities available at varying price points.
On-Campus Accommodation
The university guarantees on-campus residence to its 1st-year students plus the added benefits of personal and academic support in a culturally enriching environment. The accommodation is offered in either the main residences or the 4 on-campus University Colleges, with the student capacity of 320 to 1,380 and 142 to 360, respectively. The cost of residing on campus for 2023 is tabulated below:
| Room Type | Fall (INR) | Winter (INR) | Spring (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Room (Village 1) | 2.54 lakhs | 1.69 lakhs | 1.69 lakhs |
| Interconnecting (Village 1) | 2.43 lakhs | 1.62 lakhs | 1.62 lakhs |
| Double Room (Village 1 and Ron Eydt Village) | 2.28 lakhs | 1.52 lakhs | 1.52 lakhs |
Off Campus Accommodation
University of Waterloo also offers off-campus housing for international students. Homestays are a good option for candidates who want to live near campus yet experience their privacy by not exactly staying on campus. The average rent in the city is cheap and easy, especially in the summers, and quite affordable for the ones who can cook their own meals. The estimated cost of off-campus housing with basic utilities is as mentioned below:
| Room Type | Cost in CAD/Month | Cost in INR/Month |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Room | 900- 2,400 | 55 thousand- 1.48 lakhs |
| Private Room | 670- 2,500 | 41 thousand- 1.54 lakhs |
| Entire Place | 1,380- 2,000 | 85 thousand- 1.23 lakhs |
Also Read: Student Accommodation in Canada
University of Waterloo Admission Process
University of Waterloo UG Admission
Admission at University of Waterloo UG program for international students is similar to domestic students. The university does not review any kind of additional documents like Letter of Recommendation, Statement of Purpose, or ACT/SAT scores.
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | OUAC Application Portal |
| Application Fee | 125 CAD (7,620 INR) |
| Transcript Requirement | Academic transcripts and results of Class X, XI and XII |
| Academic Score Requirement | First or second-division standing (minimum 50% and above) |
| English Proficiency Test Scores | IELTS: 6.5 overall (6.5 in writing and speaking, 6.0 in reading and listening) | TOEFL iBT: 60 or above, with a minimum of 18 in each section. |
| Admission Requirement | Admission Information Form (AIF) |
University of Waterloo PG Admission
To secure admission in PG program at University of Waterloo, international students require a minimum GPA of 2.0 that is equivalent to 75% for an Indian student. Mentioned below are the other requirements for admission at Uwaterloo graduate programs.
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Graduate Studies Application |
| Application Fee | 125 CAD (7,680 INR) |
| Academic Requirement | GPA of 2.0 i.e ~ 75% or equivalent in last 2 years of 4 year undergraduate program |
| English Proficiency Test Scores | IELTS score of 7.0 overall, 6.5 in writing and speaking or equivalent |
| Additional Requirement | 2 Academic LORs and 1 Professional LOR | Resume | Writing sample | Portfolio | Sattement of Purpose |
University of Waterloo Cost of Attendance
The University of Waterloo estimates the cost of attendance for international students to be around CAD 60,000 to CAD 65,000 per year, which includes tuition fees(excluding Faculty of Engineering) , accommodation, food, health insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses. However, the actual cost of attendance can vary depending on the program of study, the type of accommodation chosen, and personal spending habits.
University of Waterloo Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for various programs varies as per their level and duration. The estimated range for international applicants hoping to enroll in a program at University of Waterloo is 40,900 to 61,300 CAD per academic year. Subject-wise tuition cost for some of the undergraduate and graduate programs is tabulated below according to the faculty.
| Name of Program | Tuition Fee (in CAD Per Academic Year) | Tuition Fee (in INR Per Academic Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Engineering, Software Engineering | 60,220 | 36.67 lakhs |
| Accounting and Financial Management | 40,170 | 24.46 lakhs |
| Computer Science, Business Administration (Laurier), and Computer Science (Waterloo) Double Degree | 60,200 | 36.66 lakhs |
| Global Business and Digital Arts | 44,290 | 26.97 lakhs |
| Faculty of Applied Health Sciences and Arts | 40,170 | 24.46 lakhs |
Unversity of Waterloo Living Expenses
An estimated cost of living in Canada to be considered, apart from tuition fee, in order to survive a term at the university is as tabulated below.
| Type of Expenditure | Annual Cost (in CAD) | Annual Cost (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 9,600- 21,600 | 5.84 lakhs to 13.14 lakhs |
| Books and Supplies | 2,820 | 1.71 lakhs |
| Meals | 4,380 | 2.66 lakhs |
| Transportation | 360 | 22 thousand |
| Other personal expenses | 2580 | 1.57 lakhs |
University of Waterloo Scholarships
The university offers international students financial aid in the form of bursaries and scholarships to study in Canada. Various awards are merit-based and can be availed by any candidate needing financial help. Some of the Waterloo Scholarships available at the time of admission are described below:
| Name of Scholarship | Amount (in CAD) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| International Student Entrance Scholarships | 10,000 each | An international student enrolled in a 1st-year full-time undergraduate degree program; Score of 90% and above. |
| President’s Scholarship | 2,000 each | Early May admission, 1st-year full-time undergraduate degree student; Score of 90 to 94.9%. |
| Merit Scholarship | 1,000 each | 1st-year full-time undergraduate degree program students who have applied in early May admission; Average score of 85 to 89.9%. |
Note: The institute also provides multiple application-based scholarships. Students can avail these awards by filling their respective forms.
University of Waterloo Placements
The University of Waterloo ranks amongst the world’s top 50 universities for its graduate employability. University of Waterloo welcomes 73% of its undergraduate students to co-op programs. The university received the title of #1 hands-on experiential learning opportunity in Canada according to McLeans National Survey. University of Waterloo graduates earn annual salaries ranging from 40,000 to 90,000 CAD per annum.
The University of Waterloo has achieved an impressive feat by climbing up to the 24th position in the 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings, placing it among the top 5% of participating institutions. This accomplishment has positioned UWaterloo as the number one university in Canada for graduate employment rate, with a global ranking of 74th, a significant improvement from its 94th ranking in 2021.
University of Waterloo Alumni
Over the years, the university has produced over 238,000 successful alumni who have excelled in their respective fields. These alumni have made significant contributions to society, ranging from entrepreneurship, technology, politics, and sports, among others.
University of Waterloo Notable Alumni
| Alumni Name | Profession | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Lazaridis | Entrepreneur | Co-founder of BlackBerry, one of the most successful mobile communication companies in the world. |
| Martha Lenio | Social Activist | Founder of the Clean Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on environmental issues. |
| Kevin O'Leary | Entrepreneur | Chairman of O'Leary Funds, a Canadian mutual fund company, and a panelist on Shark Tank. |
| Steven Woods | Technology | Co-founder and CTO of Nudge.ai, an AI-powered relationship intelligence platform. |
| Heather Moyse | Athlete | Two-time Olympic gold medalist in bobsleigh and member of the Order of Canada. |
At University of Waterloo, International students can benefit from a multicultural and inclusive community, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. The university's co-op program also provides opportunities for students to gain practical experience and apply their skills in real-world settings.
Looking for expert insights on University of Waterloo? Collegedunia did the work for you. Mentioned below are some tips by our study abroad counselor, for students planning to study at University of Waterloo.
FAQs
Ques. Is it hard to get into University of Waterloo?
Ans. Admission to University of Waterloo is moderately competitive with an acceptance rate of 53%.
Ques. What is University of Waterloo best known for?
Ans. University of Waterloo is known for its Data Science and Artificial Intelligence program. The university has excelled as the most innovative university in Canada by Maclean’s, 2022.
Ques. What is the GPA required for University of Waterloo admission?
Ans. A minimum GPA of 2.0 (~73-76%) on a 4.0 scale or above is required for admision to University of Waterloo.
Ques. Is University of Waterloo a top school?
Ans. Yes, University of Waterloo is ranked among the top 150 universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings, 2022.
Ques. What is the rank of University of Waterloo in Canada?
Ans. University of Waterloo is ranked #7 among the Canadian universities according to the latest QS World University Rankings.
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| University of Waterloo | Western University | York University | Simon Fraser University | The University of British Columbia | University of Alberta | University of Calgary | McMaster University | University of Windsor | Queen's University | Toronto Metropolitan University | University of Toronto updated | University of Guelph | University of Ottawa | Wilfrid Laurier University | |
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| Collegedunia Score | 5.3 Out of 10 | 5 Out of 10 | 4.3 Out of 10 | 5.8 Out of 10 | 6.7 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 | 5.4 Out of 10 | 5.5 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 | 5 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 | 7.4 Out of 10 | 4.2 Out of 10 | 4.7 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
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| Acceptance Rate | 53.0 % | 57.0 % | 80.0 % | 65.0 % | 69.0 % | 66.0 % | 63.0 % | 42.0 % | 65.0 % | 0.0 % | 59.0 % | 43.0 % | 65.0 % | 55.0 % | 70.0 % |
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Overall 158 out of 1600 in Global Ranking
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why did you choose university of waterloo, How was the admission process, provide details of the GD/PI, SOPs, LOR, etc (if there were any) How was the admission process, provide details of the GD/PI, SOPs, LOR, etc (if there were any) How was the admission process, provide details of the GD/PI, SOPs, LOR, etc (if there were any) How was the admission process, provide details of the GD/PI, SOPs, LOR, etc (if there were any) How was the admission process, provide details of the GD/PI, SOPs, LOR, etc (if there were any) How was the admission process, provide details of the GD/PI, SOPs, LOR, etc (if there were any)
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I was also accepted to the University of Toronto along with 3 other US universities that I applied to (the University of Michigan; University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign); and the University of Wisconsin), but I chose the University of Waterloo over all of them mainly because of the co-op program. UWaterloo has a renowned co-op program that offers students something more important than compensation to help pay the tuition fees: up to 2 years of work experience upon graduation. I was accepted into both Computer Science and Computer Engineering (Honors and Co-op for each) programs at UWaterloo, with scholarships, but I chose the former because I felt it would be more aligned with my career interests. Furthermore, UWaterloo has an exceptional Math/Computer Science department that offers several options to pursue different interests in the broad field of CS, such as Specializations in AI, Software Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, etc. There is a lot of flexibility in exploring different career options with the different kinds of degree plans and options thus making it the ideal choice for me.
Fees:
Roughly CAD 31,000 / semester * 8 = CAD 248,000, so around CAD 250,000 or Rs.1.45 Cr (as of March 2021) for my program (excluding scholarships).
I chose Waterloo simply because of its ranking and because its location. My dream behind pursuing studies as an international student was exposure.
University Of Waterloo in particular is known for it's brilliant mathematics faculty and coop program. I was hesitant between UBC and Waterloo, but Waterloo's advantages were clear. Not only would I be graduating with 2 years of work experience, I would be able to pay my own finances while studying.
Fees:
I paid 50k CAD including the housing finances.
My secondary choices were business and finance programs at universities such as York, Ryerson but Waterloo's AFM outweighs all of them on the basis of practicality, reputation, reach and job opportunities. It's simply the best business related program after Toronto but it's also one of the hardest to be accepted into. Why would someone choose second tier B-programs from Ryerson when they have Waterloo offering them a spot in one of the most looked upon business programs in the country,
I got into various Universities in UK and Canada but University of Waterloo has a co-op program, which really attracted me to their program.
It gives me a global networking opportunity and an innovative environment to work towards my ideas
it has an esteemed reputation in the sciences and associated disciplines. Computer science, math, engineering are all very strong and enjoy excellent reputations; for example, Waterloo graduates in computer science and engineering in California's silicon valley.The School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo is a leader in design education and research. All students gain valuable paid co-op work experience and the program has been rated the greenest architecture curriculum in Canada.
Campus Life:
The reason I have chosen this college was that it had a co-op program. It was also one of the only schools to offer both an arts and business program. I wanted to study social sciences; however, I also wanted to study the business side of things. The University of Waterloo let me do exactly that.It needs to be modified. There are things that we are learning for the sake of learning them. When I sit in my business classes, I feel that I am getting something out of it. With my social science classes, things are outdated and irrelevant. I also don't think lectures are effective.
University of Waterloo Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo Women in Mathematics Graduate Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 1.9 L/Yr$2,262 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| UWaterloo Millennium Graduate Bursary | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeBursary | |
| Sandford Fleming Foundation Award for Academic Excellence | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| UWaterloo Graduate Entrance Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 2.9 L/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Hira and Renu Ahuja International Graduate Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 11.7 L/Yr$14,150 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Barbara Hayes-Roth Award for Women in Math and Computer Science | Scholarship per student₹ 77,917/Yr$940 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeCollege-Specific |
View All 68 Scholarships
FAQs
Ques. What percentage is required for an Indian student to get an easy admission to the University of Waterloo?
Ques. What is the average GRE for people getting into MSCS of University of Waterloo?
Ques. I have received an admit from University of Waterloo and Concordia University for biological sciences. Which one should I choose?
Ques. What percentage is required for an Indian student to get an easy admission to the University of Waterloo?
University of Waterloo Admissions
Application Portal: https://www.ouac.on.ca/
Undergraduate Deadlines
Important Date: February1 (Application deadline)
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO ADMISSIONS
Applications need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the university as well as that of the specific course. The admission requirements at the university for Indian students, as per the level of study, is mentioned below:
Bachelor Level Requirements:
For undergraduate courses, the academic score of students in class 10, class 11, and class 12 are evaluated. Some of the other admission requirements entails:
- First or Second division in Class 12.
- Subject-specific academic score
- IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or above with a minimum sectional score of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking
- TOEFL-IBT score of 90 with minimum 25 in Writing and Speaking section
- PTE Academic Score of 63 or better; minimum 65 in Writing and Speaking
- Academic letters of recommendation
- Personal essays
Masters Level Requirements:
- Minimum 75% in pervious 4-year bachelors program
- IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or equivalent TOEFL-iBT score of 90
- Writing Sample (program specific)
- GRE/GMAT score
- Resume letter
- Academic and/or professional references
- Sponsorship card (if applicable)
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants | 2013 | - | - | - |
|---|
University of Waterloo Campus Location
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Comments
To apply for graduate admission at the University of Waterloo, you must have a four-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 75% in the last two year of your degree. Besides this, there are many other admission requirements and you can check them from the University of Waterloo Admissions.