University Of Waterloo

PROFILE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

locationKanada

Ranked #=119

QS World University Rankings 2026, overall institutional ranking

Ranked #=162

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, overall institutional ranking

Ranked #3

Maclean’s Canada’s Best Comprehensive Universities for 2025.

Ranked #18 in the world

startup founders in PitchBook University Rankings 2025

University of Waterloo is a public research university in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, known for co operative education and strong links with employers. It offers 100 plus undergraduate programs and a wide range of graduate programs across six faculties, and many degrees include paid co op work terms. For international students, Waterloo provides structured admissions requirements, international tuition schedules, housing options, and cost guidance to plan studies and living in the Waterloo Region.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Waterloo is widely recognized for experiential learning through co op education, employer connections, and innovation outcomes such as entrepreneurship and startup formation, supported by large scale work integrated learning infrastructure and reputation metrics published by major rankers and Waterloo itself.

  1. North America’s largest co op program, designed for paid work experience integrated with study.

FACILITIES

Waterloo’s facilities support academics, research, student life, recreation, health, career development, and housing, with core services concentrated on the main Waterloo campus and specialized teaching sites in regional campuses. Facilities commonly include learning spaces, labs, libraries, athletics and recreation, student services, co op and career supports, and campus housing. Students typically access facilities through their faculty buildings plus centralized student service hubs and residences.

  1. Dana Porter Library, Waterloo Campus
  2. Davis Centre Library, Waterloo Campus
  3. Student Life Centre, Waterloo Campus
  4. Athletics and Recreation facilities, Waterloo Campus
  5. Co operative Education and Career action services, Waterloo Campus
  6. Campus Housing residences and dining facilities, Waterloo Campus
  7. Graduate House and graduate student spaces, Waterloo Campus
  8. Health and wellness services, Waterloo Campus
  9. Engineering and science laboratories, Waterloo Campus
  10. Computer labs and learning commons, Waterloo Campus

LOCATION

Waterloo Campus

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

Cambridge Campus

7 Melville Street South, Cambridge, Ontario N1S 2H4, Canada

Kitchener Campus

10 Victoria Street South A, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1C5, Canada

Stratford Campus

125 St Patrick Street, Stratford, Ontario N5A 0C1, Canada

INTAKE & PROGRAMMED OFFERED

Intake

PRE UNIVERSITY

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: NA

UNDERGRADUATE

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: 7.0

POST GRADUATE

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: 7.5

Programmes

List pre university programme

  1. English language programs for improving English proficiency (multiple formats offered).

List of undergraduate programmes

  1. Faculty of Arts, BA and related bachelor degrees across arts disciplines
  2. Faculty of Engineering, BEng and related engineering degrees\
  3. Faculty of Environment, BES and related environment degrees
  4. Faculty of Health, BSc and related health degrees
  5. Faculty of Mathematics, BMath and related mathematics degrees
  6. Faculty of Science, BSc and related science degrees

List of all programmes (types offered)

  1. Master’s degrees (research based and course based, depending on program)
  2. Doctoral degrees (PhD)
  3. Graduate diploma programs

List of other programmes

  1. Co operative education options within eligible programs (co op structure varies by program)
  2. English language programs through Renison English Language Institute (English preparation and academic skills development).

TUITION FEE & LIVING COST

TUITION FEE

APPLICATION FEE

CAD 156 base fee (first 3 choices) plus CAD 50 each additional choice (undergraduate via OUAC); Graduate application fee CAD 150 per program

PRE UNIVERSITY

UNDER GRADUATE

POSTGRADUATE

NA

CAD 51,000 to CAD 74,000 per academic year

CAD 22,188 to CAD 75,408 per year

Living Cost

Approximately CAD 1,846 to CAD 2,801 per month

ACCOMODATION

on-campus
Campus Housing residences

Waterloo offers multiple residence styles including traditional dorm style and suite style options, and students apply through Campus Housing. Many options are designed for first year community building, and some residences require a meal plan depending on style

  1. Village 1, On Campus
  2. Ron Eydt Village, On Campus
  3. Claudette Millar Hall, On Campus
  4. Mackenzie King Village, On Campus
  5. UW Place, On Campus
  6. Columbia Lake Village, On Campus

Price range (8 months, includes meal plan in traditional style): approximately CAD 14,300 to CAD 18,250 for listed traditional style examples.

off-campus
University of Waterloo Off Campus Housing resources

Waterloo provides an off campus housing service with tools and guidance for finding rentals in the surrounding area, including an interactive map to explore neighbourhood zones. There is also an Off Campus Community service connected to student life for students living off campus.

Price range indicator (shared housing, including utilities): approximately CAD 950 to CAD 1,900 per month.