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Waterloo University Acceptance Rate for Indian Students

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Waterloo University Acceptance Rate
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Established in 1956, the University of Waterloo is one of the best universities in Canada. The University of Waterloo has always prided itself on spurring innovation to solve global problems. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, the University of Waterloo ranked among #163 among 2000 universities globally and #7 among 33 Canadian institutions. Also check out the University of Waterloo ranking.

The university has a global network of over 2.4L alumni in 156 countries and attracts world-class scholars like Nobel Laureates. It emphasizes providing work-integrated learning opportunities with over 7500 active co-op employers.

University of Waterloo Acceptance Rate 2025

As per data for the academic session 2024/25, the total number of students enrolled at the University of Waterloo is 37,000. Of these, the number of undergraduate enrollments amounts to 32,000, while the number of graduates is 4,700. The University of Waterloo acceptance rate stands at 53%, making it a moderately competitive university for admissions. A more detailed breakdown of the student body at the University of Waterloo, along with Waterloo University acceptance rate, is given below: 

Particulars 

University of Waterloo Statistics 2025 

Total Enrolled Students 

37,126 

Undergraduate students 

32,391 

Graduate students 

4,735 

Acceptance Rate 

53% 

University of Waterloo Acceptance Rate for International Students

The number of total international full-time equivalent students enrolled at the University of Waterloo for the fiscal year 2024/25 was 6,800, of which the undergraduate student body consisted of 4,900. The percentage of international students among the total undergraduate enrollment is 15%. While these numbers are 1,900 for the international graduate student body, making up 41% of the total graduates. 

Particulars 

Headcount 

Total International Students 

7,909

International UG Students 

22%

International Graduate Students 

40% 

University of Waterloo Requirements for International Students

International students have to fulfill the admission requirements to get enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses. The University of Waterloo admission requirements for international students are given below:

General requirements:

The basic requirements to enroll in UG or PG programs are given below:

  • Official academic transcripts of high school diploma or equivalent (The high school or diploma courses must be completed through schools that are accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education)
  • Proof of English language proficiency

English language requirements:

The English language requirement for international students is given below:

English Language Tests

Minimum Score Required

IELTS

6.5 or above

TOEFL iBT

90 or above

Duolingo

120 or above

PTE

63 or above

Tips to get selected at the University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo admission criteria is moderate. However, students must take care of a few things to enhance their probability of getting selected. International students can consider the following tips given below:

  • Academic excellence: For Canadian universities, international students must have strong academic records. The University of Waterloo considers high GPAs to enroll students in their programs.
  • Score well: Along with GPA, having high standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT) makes a huge impact during selection. Try to obtain good scores in these exams.
  • Extracurricular activities: Showcasing extracurricular activities, leadership roles, innovation and experience in the required field makes a huge impact during selection.
  • Personal statement: Make a strong statement of purpose or personal statement by highlighting your academic performance and relevant experience.
  • Portfolio: Students who would take Art or Design programs, make a strong portfolio to showcase their creativity.

University of Waterloo Acceptance Rate vs York University Acceptance Rate

The University of Waterloo acceptance rate is 53% and York University acceptance rate is 57%. The comparison shows that the selection criteria at York University are a bit easier than the University of Waterloo, which is quite selective during admissions.

Both Canadian universities are reputed and provide excellence in academics and job opportunities. However, students must prove themselves by achieving good GPAs, standardized scores, and participating in extracurricular activities to get easy selection.

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FAQs

Q:   Should I go to the University of Toronto or the University of Waterloo?
A: 

The University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo, both are reputed universities in Canada. Choosing a university must depend on students’ academic and personal preferences. The University of Toronto emphasizes strong research programs and academic offerings, on the other hand, the University of Waterloo is famous for its co-op programs and experiential learning. While choosing a university between them, students must take factors such as location, campus environment, available programs, and job opportunities into account.

Q:   What are my chances of getting admission to the University of Waterloo?
A: 

The chance of getting admission to the University of Waterloo is moderate for international students and depends on students' academic performance, course type, standardized scores, extracurricular activities, and relevant experience. However, standardized test scores are not mandatory for all programs but submitting them may impact positively during admissions.

Q:   Is the University of Waterloo a good place to study for Indian students?
A: 

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.

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Currently an English major at DU, I create content for study abroad universities on Shiksha. Besides writing, I also enjoy art and music.

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Waterloo University
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Waterloo University
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200 University Avenue West, Waterloo Ontario, N2L 3G1
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