University of Waterloo: Admission 2024, Acceptance rate, Ranking & Fees
Waterloo, Canada
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4 Campuses- Estd. 1956
Last updated on 28 Sep '23, by sneha (Study Abroad Expert)What’s new at the University of Waterloo?
The applications for undergraduate courses will be available at the end of September 2023. The University of Waterloo deadline is Feb 1, 2024, for most of the programs offered at the university. International students who wish to study at UOW can apply through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC), which handles applications to each of Ontario's universities.
- University of Waterloo Highlights
- University of Waterloo Courses 2023
- University of Waterloo Fees & Eligibility 2023
- University of Waterloo Scholarships 2023
- University of Waterloo Admission Dates 2023
- University of Waterloo Placements
- UWaterloo Accommodation & Meals
- University of Waterloo Ranking 2023
- Studying in Canada
- University of Waterloo Notable Alumni
University of Waterloo Highlights
The University of Waterloo is one of the top public universities located in Waterloo, Canada. It has been consistently ranked as the top comprehensive research university in Canada by Research Infosource Inc. The university’s international reputation for innovation and excellence attracts creative and inspiring graduate students and researchers in the world. When it comes to career success, the University of Waterloo has been ranked No. 2 in Canada in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022. Besides this, among many universities in Canada, the University of Waterloo is one of the top recruiting places for Google. More than 42,000 students attending Waterloo annually makes it #1 university in Canada for advanced learning and employer-student networking and connections. In this page, we have mentioned the University of Waterloo courses and the University of Waterloo fees for Indian students and University of Waterloo fees for international students.
| Year of establishment | 1956 |
| Website | Go to Website  |
| Also Known As | UWaterloo |
| Accepted Exams | |
| Size of Campus in acres | 1000 |
| UG/PG Course Ratio | 1.69 |
| Endowments Value | Canadian Dollar 367 million |
| No.of Campuses | 4 |
| Accommodation expenses | 6775 CAD for 4 sharing (UG),6775 CAD for 4 sharing (PG) |
| Meal expenses | 2920 CAD (UG),2920 CAD (PG) |
| International Students Website | Go to Website |
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Q: Â Is Waterloo the MIT of Canada?
Located within the famous technology triangle of Canada, the University of Waterloo is known as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) of Canada. When we speak of innovation, then the University of Waterloo was one of the first universities that had an entire faculty dedicated to the study of the environment and according to Maclean’s magazine, it has been placed at the 1st rank in Canada in the innovative universities category. Here you study with some of the brightest minds of the world and here you are taught by Canada's top professors who are known for their research and teaching.
Q: Â Is the University of Waterloo a top university?
The University of Waterloo has been placed among the top 200 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings and US News & World Report’s global universities ranking. If we talk about the University of Waterloo QS ranking, then the university ranks at the #112th position in 2024 and in the US News & World Report, it ranks at the #191st position for 2023 in the global universities category. Waterloo improved its QS ranking significantly to #112 from #154 in 2023.
Q: Â Is the University of Waterloo a good place to study for Indian students?
If you are looking to pursue higher education in Canada, then the University of Waterloo is one of the top schools to study. University of Waterloo offers over 100 undergraduate programs and over 180 master’s and doctoral programs to international students. Apart from this, when it comes to career success, the University of Waterloo has been ranked #24 in Canada for graduate employment rate as per the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2024.
University of Waterloo Courses 2023
The University of Waterloo offers 100+ undergraduate courses, from Digital Arts, Robotics and Biotechnology, to Health, Data Science and Sustainability. On the other hand, more than 180+ master’s and doctoral programs are offered at the University of Waterloo. Some of the study areas for the master’s and doctoral programs are Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Economics etc.
|
Type of programs |
No. of programs offered |
|---|---|
|
Undergraduate |
100+ |
|
Master’s and doctoral programs |
180+ |
Some of the popular courses at the University of Waterloo that are ranked best in Canada as per the QS subject rankings for 2022 undergraduate courses are Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Geography. Apart from this, the Computer Science course of Waterloo University has been ranked at No. 1 nationally for the third year in a row, according to the 2023 Maclean University rankings.
|
QS Subject Rankings 2022 (Canada) |
Ranking |
|---|---|
|
Computer Science |
#3 |
|
Electrical Engineering |
#3 |
|
Environmental Sciences |
#4 |
|
Physics and Astronomy |
#4 |
|
Geography |
#4 |
Waterloo University fees for Indian students and the University of Waterloo fees for international students are given below.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Q: Â What are the best courses in University of Waterloo?
The University of Waterloo offers undergraduate and postgraduate level courses in 11 different programs. Computer Science, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Energy & Fuel, Mechanical Engineering, etc. are the top programs of Waterloo University that ranked under the top 50 in the world.
Q: Â What programs is the University of Waterloo known for?
The University of Waterloo offers more than 100 undergraduate programs in areas ranging from health, humanities and social sciences, to business, engineering, mathematics, science, and the environment. Computer Science, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Energy & Fuel, Mechanical Engineering are some of the popular programs offered by Waterloo University.
Q: Â What courses does the University of Waterloo offer?
The University of Waterloo offers more than 100 undergraduate programs in areas from health, business, engineering, to humanities and social sciences, mathematics, science, and the environment. The course duration ranges from 4 to 5 years depending on the course you are pursuing.
University of Waterloo Fees & Eligibility 2023
The eligibility requirements for the University of Waterloo vary from course to course. So, before applying check the eligibility criteria for the Uni of Waterloo carefully.
- For admission into undergraduate programmes, students must have a first or second division in any one of the following: All India Senior School Certificate offered by CBSE, ISC Certificate awarded by CISCE, or any other pre-university certificate awarded after 12 years of academic studies. Note that final grades shall be evaluated on the basis of board results
- Indian students applying for the graduate programs, should have completed a minimum 4-year honors bachelor’s degree or equivalent with at least 75%
- For doctoral admissions, students must have 75% in the overall standing in their previous degree
|
Exam |
Course Level |
|---|---|
|
GRE (if applicable) |
PG |
|
GMAT (if applicable) |
PG |
University of Waterloo Entrance Exams
Average English language exam scores required to apply at the University of Waterloo are given below. The ELP tests given below, except Duolingo, are accepted at both the UG and PG levels, however, the scores are only mentioned for UG scores officially.
|
Exam |
The score for UG programs (Overall) |
|---|---|
|
TOEFL (iBT) |
90 |
|
IELTS Academic |
6.5 |
|
CAEL |
70 |
|
63 |
|
|
Cambridge English Test |
180 |
|
120 |
|
|
EFAS |
75% |
The University of Waterloo fees for Indian students and the University of Waterloo fees for international students is given below.
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(23 courses) | INR 13 L - 33 L | Duration:Â 12 months-2 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 90 - 100, PTE: 63 - 68 |
B.Sc.(36 courses) | INR 25 L - 32 L | Duration:Â 4-5 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above |
B.E. / B.Tech(17 courses) | INR 25 L - 41 L | Duration:Â 4-5 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above |
B.A.(27 courses) | INR 25 L - 32 L | Duration:Â 4-5 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above |
M.A.(18 courses) | INR 13 L - 22 L | Duration:Â 12 months-2 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 68 & Above |
MEng(5 courses) | INR 29 L | Duration:Â 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 60 & Above |
BBA(12 courses) | INR 25 L - 41 L | Duration:Â 4-5 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE: 63 & Above |
MASc(6 courses) | INR 13 L - 15 L | Duration:Â 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 80 - 90, PTE: 60 - 63 |
MIM(8 courses) | INR 13 L - 42 L | Duration:Â 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 90 - 100, PTE: 63 - 68 |
B.J.M.C.(1 course) | INR 25 L | Duration:Â 4 years Exam Accepted:Â IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Q: Â How much does Waterloo cost for international students?
When we look at the University of Waterloo tuition fees for international students, then for undergraduate studies, the approximate tuition fee ranges from USD 45,000 - 70,000. On the other hand, the tuition fee for international graduate students vary from programme to program. If we consider the cost of living for undergraduates, then the average personal expenses shall be around USD 3,000, the books and supplies will be USD 2,370 (higher for some courses), the meal expenses shall range from USD 5,050 - 5,850 and residence cost will range from USD 6,128 - 8,155.
Q: Â What is the minimum IELTS/TOEFL score required for the University of Waterloo?
The University of Waterloo admission is based on the English language proficiency test score submitted by the candidate. The minimum overall score required for IELTS is 7.0 and the minimum overall score required for TOEFL is 90, for the University of Waterloo.
University of Waterloo Scholarships 2023
The University of Waterloo Scholarships for international students are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The details for the same are given below:
University of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship
- Note that the selection for the awarding of the scholarship shall be based on the academic achievement combined with any other faculty-specific entrance scholarship criteria
University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship
- This scholarship is normally valued at CAD 1,000 per term for up to three terms
- It is awarded to graduate students registered full-time in a doctoral or master’s program at the University of Waterloo
- Note that the eligible students must have at least first-class (80%) cumulative average in their current program or over the last two full-time academic years and be within the time limits of their graduate program
University of Waterloo Admission Dates 2023
Application Deadline for the University of Waterloo for international students are:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Undergraduate (All programs except Pharmacy, Optometry) |
Feb 01, 2023 |
|
Graduate programs |
Varies as per the admission intake |
Below we have specified the application details of Waterloo University.
|
Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Application Fee |
CAD 125 for graduate programs |
|
Acceptance rate |
Around 53% |
Documents required for the University of Waterloo
The documents required to apply at the University of Waterloo are:
- Academic transcripts
- Admission information form
- English language test results
- Letter of recommendation
- Resume, letter, writing sample
- GRE and GMAT score (if applicable)
- Permanent Resident Card
- Portfolio
- Sponsorship
- Application fees :CAD 100 - 156
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Documents| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|---|
| SOP | Needed for few courses |
| LOR | Needed for few courses |
| Essays | Not required |
| CV | Needed for few courses |
| Additional documents | Required |
Important dates| Intake season | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | 1ˢᵗ Dec 2023 - 1ˢᵗ Dec 2024 |
| Spring | 1ˢᵗ Feb - 1ˢᵗ Oct 2024 |
| Winter | 8ᵗʰ Jan - 1ˢᵗ Oct 2024 |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Q: Â How can an Indian get into University of Waterloo?
For admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Waterloo, the applicants must meet the program-specific and general eligibility requirements.
- All India Senior School Certificate awarded by CBSE
- Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE
- Other Pre-University Certificate awarded after 12 years of study
With this, you must have obtained a minimum score in IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / CAEL / Duolingo.
Q: Â Is University of Waterloo hard to get into?
The University of Waterloo acceptance rate is 53%, so, for every 100 applicants, 53 are admitted. This means the school is moderately selective. This justifies that the university is moderately selective when it comes to admission. The parts of an impressive application include high school grades or other academic qualification scores, English language proficiency scores, letter of recommendation, personal essay, extra-curricular, etc.
Q: Â What is the minimum GPA required for admission to the University of Waterloo?
All of the Indian students who are aiming to take admission into the University of Waterloo graduate courses must complete a minimum 4-year Bachelor degree or both a bachelor’s degree (less than 4 years in length) and a master’s degree. The GPA or minimum overall academic standing required for Waterloo University is first class i.e. 8/10.
University of Waterloo Placements
The Centre for Career Action helps students find the necessary skillsets that are valued in Canada to find a job. The University of Waterloo’s career centre offers one-on-one support and workshops to educate the University of Waterloo community in almost all aspects of their career, including the following key job search areas:
- Determining the career goal
- Developing and enhancing the Canadian job search strategy
- Preparing the job application documents
- Enhancing the interview skills
According to the Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation 2021, the city of Waterloo has 500+ Tech startups working on solutions in Fintech, Robotics, Automation, Artificial Intelligence, and more. Therefore, making the city a great place to kickstart a career after the completion of studies. Check the University of Waterloo Graduates and Alumni salaries by job given below.
|
Jobs |
Sample Salary |
|---|---|
|
Education & Research |
USD 152,000 |
|
Human Resources & Recruiting |
USD 100,000 |
|
Financial Services |
USD 83,000 |
|
IT & Software Development |
USD 79,000 |
|
Executive Management & Change |
USD 77,000 |
|
R&D, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech |
USD 72,000 |
(Source: Emolument)
Top Recruiters
UWaterloo Accommodation & Meals
- University provides on-campus housing facility to all UG and PG students
- Residence halls for UG students are Village 1, Ron Eydt Village, New Residence Building, Mackenzie King Village and for
- University provides on-campus housing facility to all UG and PG students
- Residence halls for UG students are Village 1, Ron Eydt Village, New Residence Building, Mackenzie King Village and for graduate students are Columbia Lake Villages
- University also provides Meal plans at affordable rates to all residents
Accommodation Expense- Total Annual Cost:CAD 6775
- On-campus housing:uwaterloo.ca/housing/
Meal Expense- Total Annual Cost:CAD 2920
- Living expense links:uwaterloo.ca/housing/fees-contra...
- The average rent is 550 to 650 CAD/month
- The residence type includes studio apartments, 3 bedroom apartments, 4 bedroom apartments and shared apartments
- The apartments are fully furnished with free H
- The average rent is 550 to 650 CAD/month
- The residence type includes studio apartments, 3 bedroom apartments, 4 bedroom apartments and shared apartments
- The apartments are fully furnished with free Hi-speed WIFI and central air-conditioning facility
- The student residences comprise of modern suite-elements with fully equipped kitchens including new appliances & dishwasher
- The lease period is generally 12 months
University of Waterloo Ranking 2023
If we look at the University of Waterloo ranking, then the university has been ranked in the top 200 universities of the world in the QS rankings for 5 years. We have compared the QS rankings of the University of Waterloo, the University of Victoria, and the University of Calgary. The University of Waterloo’s position has improved from #163 in 2019 to #154 in 2023. However, Waterloo University's QS position dipped in 2020 and 2021, but still it managed to improve its position later on.
Whereas, the University of Victoria has maintained the same position #359 in 2019 and 2023, with certain dips in between, finally attaining a better position in 2022. The University of Calgary’s QS ranking has significantly dropped from #229 in 2019 to #242 in 2023. Apart from this, the University of Waterloo has maintained the #7th position overall in Canada as per the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Q: Â What is the ranking of Waterloo University?
The University of Waterloo has been ranked #112 overall in the 2024 QS World University Ranking, a significant improvement from last year's place at 154. QS has also ranked Waterloo among the top five universities in Canada. Waterloo has performed on parameters like international faculty ratio, international student ratio, sustainability and citations per faculty.
Q: Â Is Waterloo University good?
As per the Research Infosource 2022, the University of Waterloo has been Canada's top research university for 14 years. Waterloo University has been ranked among the top 200 universities in the world by top publishers like QS (Top Universities), THE (Times Higher Education), and US News & World Report.
UWaterloo Studying in Canada
| Average Accommodation Expense | INR 4.4 L (based on 51 colleges) |
| Average Meals Expense | INR 2.7 L (based on 33 colleges) |
| Part Time Work | Permitted On the Canadian student visa, you have the permission to work for 20 hours/week for a paid job. This cap on... |
| Post Study Work Permit | Permitted PGWP is usually issued for the length of the study program. The maximum length of the post work permit is 3... |
| Cost of Visa Application | CAD 150 = INR 9,019.5 |
| Visa Application Process | Simple If you wish to take academic, professional or vocational training at a university, college or other educati... |
| Hot Job Sectors | Technology, logistics, manufacturing, engineering, medical, and customer support are popular job sectors in... |
| Economy Growth Rate | Read more about economy growth rate |
University of Waterloo Notable Alumni
The University of Waterloo has an alumni base of more than 238,000 graduates. The list of notable alumni of Waterloo University is given below.
|
Name |
Profession |
|---|---|
|
Chris Hadfield |
Retired Canadian Astronaut |
|
Mike Lazaridis |
Founder of Blackberry Limited |
|
Kevin O’ Leary |
Canadian businessman, author, TV personality, and politician |
|
Rupi Kaur |
Popular Canadian poet |
|
David Johnston |
28th Governor General of Canada |
International Students at University of Waterloo 2022
International Students Composition at the University of Waterloo:
- If we talk about the full-time equivalent student enrollment at the University of Waterloo, as per 2021-22 facts, then it is 38,166.
- If we speak of the international student enrollment at the university, then 21% was undergraduate enrollment.
- Currently, the university has over 5,800 graduate students on-campus, and out of this, 40% of students are international students hailing from 84 countries.
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UWaterloo Location
| University City | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 1,04,986 |
UWaterloo Campuses
3 Â Campuses
University of Waterloo, Stratford Campus - 125 St. Patrick Street Stratford, ON N5A 0C1
Waterloo Architecture 7 Melville Street South Cambridge, Ontario, Canada N1S 2H4
10A Victoria St. S. Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2G 1C5
UWaterloo Contact Information
200 University Avenue West, Waterloo Ontario, N2L 3G1
Waterloo ( Ontario)
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