University of Waterloo (UWaterloo) Rankings, Courses, Fees, Admission 2023 & Scholarships

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 highlights

Table of Contents

UWaterloo Courses
UWaterloo Ranking
2.1 Ranking Comparison
UWaterloo Campus
UWaterloo Accommodation
4.1 On-Campus Accommodation
4.2 Off-Campus Accommodation
UWaterloo Admission Process
5.1 UG Admission
5.2 PG Admission
UWaterloo Cost of Attendance
6.1 Tuition Fee
6.2 Living Expenses
UWaterloo Scholarships
UWaterloo Placements
UWaterloo Alumni
FAQs

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

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 vs York University	University of Waterloo vs University of Alberta	University of Waterloo vs University of Toronto

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 Placement

Source@ University of Waterloo Key Performance Indicators

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.