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
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University of Waterloo Statistics 2025
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Total Enrolled Students
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37,126
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Undergraduate students
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32,391
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Graduate students
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4,735
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Acceptance Rate
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53%
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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
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Headcount
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Total International Students
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7,909 |
International UG Students
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22% |
International Graduate Students
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40%
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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:
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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