University of Waterloo: Admissions, Fees 2026, Rankings, Scholarships & Courses

University of Waterloo: Admissions, Fees 2026, Rankings, Scholarships & Courses

Waterloo, OntarioLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1957established year
42000enrollment
AUCC
Public
Partner [3 Courses]
7.8/10
Naman Mittal's profile photo

Naman Mittal

Updated on - Jun 4, 2026

The University of Waterloo is one of Canada's leading public research universities, located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The university is ranked #119 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and #197 in the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings. The university attracts students from over 120 countries and offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, making it a popular destination for international students.

The university follows a course-specific fee structure, meaning tuition fees vary depending on the program selected by the student. The average tuition fee for

  • Undergraduate programs range from CAD 29,000 to CAD 37,500 (INR 19.97 lakh - 25.83 lakh) per year,
  • while postgraduate tuition fees can range from CAD 7,696 to CAD 13,973 (INR 5.30 lakh - 9.62 lakh) depending on the course and study duration.

For admissions, the university offers only the September intake for undergraduate students. However, postgraduate students may have multiple intake options depending on the program and seat availability. Admission requirements also vary by course, but a minimum academic score of 75% - 85% is generally recommended for competitive programs. The university does not publish an official acceptance rate, though it is commonly estimated to be around 53%.

The university also provides accommodation for international students. Residence costs can range from CAD 8,500 (INR 5.85 lakh) to CAD 16,130 (INR 11.11 lakh), depending on the type of room and residence selected. Based on the university's published living expense estimates, the average monthly cost of living is approximately CAD 1,525 (INR 1.05 lakh), including accommodation, groceries, phone expenses, and recreational activities.


University of Waterloo Intakes and Deadlines

The University of Waterloo's official website clearly states that undergraduate students are admitted only for the September intake, noting that "we admit first-year students for the term starting in September only." The application deadline for September 2026 is:

  • Programs other than Engineering - January 30, 2026
  • Engineering programs - January 15, 2026

For graduate programs, application deadlines vary depending on the specific course selected. The admission deadlines and intake details are provided on the dedicated program pages of the university's official website. Students should review the relevant program page once they have finalised the course they wish to pursue.

Also check,


University of Waterloo Popular Courses and Fees

The university follows a course-specific fee structure for international students. Undergraduate tuition is generally provided on a yearly basis, while postgraduate tuition is often charged per course (credit). Therefore, the total fee depends on the program selected and the number of courses required for completion.

Postgraduate Tuition Fee = Per Course Fee × Required Number of Courses

Courses Duration Tuition Fee Per Term in CAD Tuition Fee Per Term in INR
MS Data Science and Artificial Intelligence 16 Months CAD 13,973 INR 9.62 lakh
MMath Computer Science 2 Years CAD 7,696 INR 5.30 lakh
MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering 18 Months CAD 17,400 INR 11.98 lakh
MS Quantitative Finance 16 Months CAD 9,052 INR 6.23 lakh
MA Economics 2 Years CAD 7,696 INR 5.30 lakh
BS Science and Aviation 4 Years CAD 27,000
(Extra CAD 93,000 for Flight Training)
INR 18.59 lakh
(Extra INR 64.05 lakh for Flight Training)
Bachelor of Computer Science 5 Years CAD 37,500 INR 25.83 lakh
BA Accounting and Financial Management 4 Years CAD 29,000 INR 19.97 lakh
Bachelor of Architecture 4 Years CAD 37,500 INR 25.83 lakh
B.ASc Mechanical Engineering 4 Years CAD 37,500 INR 25.83 lakh

Note: Students also need to pay for textbooks and supplies, which are estimated to be around CAD 1500 yearly.

For more information, check out the University of Waterloo Courses and Fees


University of Waterloo Admission Requirements

The university publishes different admission requirements depending on the program the student selects. Below are the university's general admission requirements.

Note: The requirements listed below are general in nature and may vary from one program to another. Students can also check out the official requirement page of the university.

Requirement Undergraduate (UG) Postgraduate (PG)
Academic Qualification Secondary/High School qualification equivalent to Ontario Grade 12 Four-year Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent)
Minimum Marks Program-specific(75-85% is recommended) Minimum 75% overall standing (or equivalent)
English Proficiency

Not required if English is the first language. OR
IELTS: 6.5 overall
TOEFL (iBT): 4.5 overall
PTE Academic: 63 overall
Duolingo English test: 120 overall with Literacy and Production scores of 125

Documents Required Academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and any program-specific documents Academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, references, CV/resume, statement of interest, and other program-specific documents (if required)
Application Fee CAD 156 (OUAC application fee; additional program choices may add extra fees) CAD 150 application fee per application

For more information, check out the University of Waterloo Admission


University of Waterloo Accommodation

The University of Waterloo provides accommodation for international students and also guarantees residence to first-year students. Therefore, Indian students planning to study at the university should consider on-campus accommodation options.

The university offers multiple meal plan options, and in some residence types, meal plans are already included in the housing cost. The available traditional meal plans are:

  • Traditional A Meal Plan: CAD 9,200 (INR 6.33 lakh)
  • Traditional B Meal Plan: CAD 8,040 (INR 5.54 lakh)
  • Traditional C Meal Plan: CAD 6,880 (INR 4.74 lakh)

These options allow students to choose a plan based on their food and budget preferences.

Room Type Residence Option Annual Cost
Double Room Campus Housing traditional residences (average cost) CAD 8,500 (INR 5.85 lakh)
Double Room Conrad Grebel University College CAD 16,130 (INR 11.11 lakh)
Double Room Renison University College CAD 15,700 (INR 10.81 lakh)
Double Room St. Jerome’s University CAD 17,380 (INR 11.97 lakh)
Double Room United College CAD 15,740 (INR 10.84 lakh)
Single Room Campus Housing suite-style residences (average cost) CAD 10,000 (INR 6.89 lakh)
Single Room Campus Housing traditional residences (average cost) CAD 9,200 (INR 6.33 lakh)
Single Room Renison University College CAD 17,310 (INR 11.92 lakh)
Single Room St. Jerome’s University CAD 18,970 (INR 13.07 lakh)
Single Room United College CAD 17,210 (INR 11.85 lakh)

University of Waterloo Cost of Living

The university does not provide a fixed estimated cost of living specifically for international students. However, based on the accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses published by the university, we have estimated the following living costs for students studying at the University of Waterloo.

Category Monthly Cost (CAD) Monthly Cost (INR)
Rent (including utilities & internet) CAD 950 INR 65,427
Groceries CAD 300 INR 20,661
Phone CAD 55 INR 3,788
Entertainment / Recreation CAD 220 INR 15,152
Total Cost of Living Monthly CAD 1,525 INR 1,05,028

Also check,


University of Waterloo Scholarships

The following are some of the popular scholarships offered by the University of Waterloo for international students. While some scholarships are automatically considered at the time of admission, others require students to submit a separate application and meet additional eligibility criteria.

Scholarship Name Level Amount (CAD) Eligibility
International Student Entrance Scholarship Undergraduate CAD 10,000 International students entering the first year of a full-time undergraduate program; automatic (no application required)
President’s Scholarship of Distinction Undergraduate Up to CAD 3,500 Based on a high admission average (around 95%+); automatic
Merit Scholarship Undergraduate CAD 1,000 Based on a strong admission average (around 85%+), automatic
Faculty of Mathematics Global Scholarship Undergraduate CAD 12,000 - 40,000 International students in Math faculty programs (including CS), based on academic excellence
Faculty of Engineering International Scholarships Undergraduate CAD 10,000 - 20,000 International Engineering students entering first year; merit-based
Faculty of Science International Scholarships Undergraduate CAD 25,000 - 80,000 International Science students; merit-based (some require application)
International Master’s Award of Excellence (IMAE) Postgraduate CAD 2,500 per term International Master’s students with strong academic performance
International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA) Postgraduate (PhD) CAD 15,420 per year International PhD students based on admission and research excellence

For more information, check out the University of Waterloo Scholarship


Part-Time Work in Canada

International students in Canada, including Indian students, are permitted to work while studying, provided they hold a valid study permit and meet the eligibility requirements set by the Government of Canada.

Key work regulations for international students include:

  • Up to 24 hours of off-campus work per week during academic sessions.
  • Full-time work during scheduled breaks such as summer and winter holidays.
  • A valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required before starting employment.
  • Students can only begin working after their study program has officially commenced.
  • Eligible students may also work on campus without obtaining a separate work permit.

Part-time employment allows students to gain Canadian work experience, develop professional skills, and contribute toward their living expenses while completing their studies.

Also check,


The University of Waterloo is a top Canadian university ranked #119 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The university welcomes students from over 120 countries and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. With tuition fees ranging from CAD 29,000 - 37,500 for undergraduate programs and CAD 7,696 - 13,973 for postgraduate programs, along with scholarships, accommodation, and co-op opportunities, Waterloo remains a popular choice for international students seeking quality education and strong career prospects in Canada.


FAQs

Ques. What is the application fee for international students?

Ans. The undergraduate application fee is CAD 156 (INR 10,740) through OUAC, while postgraduate applicants typically pay CAD 150 (INR 10,330) per application.

Ques. What intakes are available at the University of Waterloo?

Ans. Most undergraduate programs admit students only in the September intake, while postgraduate intakes vary by program.

Ques. Can international students work while studying in Canada?

Ans. Yes, eligible international students can work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Ques. What is the average cost of living in Waterloo?

Ans. The estimated monthly cost of living is approximately CAD 1,525 (INR 1.05 Lakhs ) including accommodation, groceries, phone expenses, and recreation.

University of Waterloo Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibilityFinancial Aid
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
Application Deadline For January 2027 Intake (1st Jul 2026)
Application Deadline For May 2027 Intake (1st Nov 2026)
USD 26,827 /Yr
CAD 37,260 /Yr
125Grade: 78%, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 5.0
Application Deadline For January 2027 Intake (1st Jun 2026)
Application Deadline For May 2027 Intake (1st Oct 2026)
USD 16,623 /Yr
CAD 23,088 /Yr
125Grade: 78%, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 5
PharmD
4 years
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (1st Feb 2026)
Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake (1st Jun 2026)
Application Deadline For May 2026 Intake (1st Oct 2026)
USD 15,975 /Yr
CAD 22,188 /Yr
12578%, IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90, PTE: 63
-
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (1st Feb 2026)
Application Deadline For January 2027 Intake (1st Jun 2026)
Application Deadline For May 2027 Intake (1st Oct 2026)
USD 35,796 /Yr
CAD 49,716 /Yr
125Grade: 75%, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (6th Jan 2026)
USD 19,552 /Yr
CAD 27,156 /Yr
125Grade: 80%, IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90, PTE: 63
BCS
5 years
Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (30th Jan 2026)
Document Submission Deadline For 2026 Intake (13th Feb 2026)
USD 49,820 /Yr
CAD 69,194 /Yr
90Grade: 75%, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90, PTE: 63, Duolingo: 120
Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (30th Jan 2026)
Document Submission Deadline For 2026 Intake (13th Feb 2026)
USD 35,366 /Yr
CAD 49,120 /Yr
90Grade: 75%, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90, PTE: 63, Duolingo: 120
-
Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (30th Jan 2026)
Document Submission Deadline For 2026 Intake (13th Feb 2026)
USD 38,894 /Yr
CAD 54,020 /Yr
90Grade: 75%, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90, PTE: 63, Duolingo: 120
BArch
4 years
Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (30th Jan 2026)
Document Submission Deadline For 2026 Intake (13th Feb 2026)
USD 49,820 /Yr
CAD 69,194 /Yr
90Grade: 75%, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90, PTE: 63, Duolingo: 120
Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (1st Feb 2026)
USD 16,623 /Yr
CAD 23,088 /Yr
12575%, IELTS 6.5 , TOEFL 4.5, Duolingo-120

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Important Alerts

EventsDates
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Application Deadline For January 2027 Intake
Closing in 19 days

Top Recommended Courses


Master of Science [MS] Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

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Part Time
Ranked #34 out of 103 by QS Global Ranking 2025
Exam Scores: TOEFL5.0|IELTS7.5
Important Date: 01 Jul, 2026
Entry Requirement: Grade: 78%, IELTS: 7.5, TOEFL: 5.0
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Important Date: 01 Oct, 2026
Entry Requirement: Grade: 78%, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 5
USD 16,623 /YrCAD 23,088 /Yr
232 Students Applied
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M.I.M(1 year)
English
Full Time
USD 34,089 - 49,410 /YrCAD 47,346 - 68,625 /Yr
Available Courses
Exams Score
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M.S(16 months)
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USD 16,623 - 54,072 /YrCAD 23,088 - 75,100 /Yr
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Exams Score
TOEFL5.0|IELTS7.5
Important Date
01 Jul, 2026
103 Students Applied
57 Students Admitted

B.Arch(4 years)
English
Full Time
USD 49,820 /YrCAD 69,194 /Yr
Available Course
Exams Score
TOEFL90|IELTS6.5|PTE63

M.Eng(16 months)
English
Full Time
USD 35,796 /YrCAD 49,716 /Yr
Available Course
Exams Score
Important Date
01 Oct, 2026
43 Students Applied
24 Students Admitted

M.Arch(2 years)
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USD 29,843 /YrCAD 41,448 /Yr
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Exams Score
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B.C.S(5 years)
English
Full Time
USD 49,820 /YrCAD 69,194 /Yr
Available Course
Exams Score
TOEFL90|IELTS6.5|PTE63

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University of Waterloo comparison

University NameUniversity of WaterlooWestern UniversityYork UniversityThe University of British ColumbiaUniversity of GuelphUniversity of OttawaMcMaster UniversityUniversity of CalgarySimon Fraser UniversityToronto Metropolitan UniversityQueen's UniversityUniversity of WindsorUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of TorontoWilfrid Laurier UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Collegedunia Score5.3 Out of 105 Out of 104.3 Out of 106.7 Out of 104.2 Out of 104.7 Out of 105.5 Out of 105.4 Out of 104.8 Out of 104.1 Out of 105 Out of 104.1 Out of 105.7 Out of 107.4 Out of 104.1 Out of 109 Out of 10
Overall Ranking
  • #91 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #119 QS World University 2026
  • #162 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #119 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #151 QS World University 2026
  • #201 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #296 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #333 QS World University 2026
  • #401 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #30 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #40 QS World University 2026
  • #45 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #388 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #401 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #504 QS World University 2026
  • #142 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #187 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #219 QS World University 2026
  • #101 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #116 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #173 QS World University 2026
  • #140 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #200 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #211 QS World University 2026
  • #230 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #301 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #308 QS World University 2026
  • #363 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #601 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #711 QS World University 2026
  • #166 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #191 QS World University 2026
  • #301 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #493 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #501 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #546 QS World University 2026
  • #61 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #94 QS World University 2026
  • #119 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #18 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #21 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #29 QS World University 2026
  • #571 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #1200 Times Higher Education 2026
  • #801 Times Higher Education 2025
  • #1 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #1 QS World University 2026
  • #2 Times Higher Education 2026
Subject Strength
  • #38 for Engineering by QS World University 2026
  • #34 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
  • #144 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #125 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #116 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #119 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #301 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #218 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #70 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #29 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #23 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
  • #28 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #244 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #651 for Medicine by QS World University 2026
  • #151 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #82 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #73 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #121 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #31 for Medicine by QS World University 2026
  • #112 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #83 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #150 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #211 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #501 for Medicine by QS World University 2026
  • #220 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #272 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #290 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #183 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #152 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #103 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #84 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #259 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #601 for Law by Times Higher Education 2023
  • #59 for Engineering by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #57 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #90 for Law by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
  • #17 for Engineering by QS World University 2026
  • #10 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
  • #10 for Medicine by Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026
-
  • #1 for Engineering by QS World University 2026
  • #1 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
  • #16 for Medicine by QS World University 2026
Programs
  • UG Programs- 45
  • PG Programs - 33
  • Doctorate Programs -5
  • UG Programs- 42
  • PG Programs - 43
  • Doctorate Programs -13
  • UG Programs- 59
  • PG Programs - 41
  • Doctorate Programs -6
  • UG Programs- 79
  • PG Programs - 101
  • Doctorate Programs -3
  • UG Programs- 36
  • PG Programs - 29
  • Doctorate Programs -8
  • UG Programs- 67
  • PG Programs - 53
  • Doctorate Programs -11
  • UG Programs- 69
  • PG Programs - 47
  • Doctorate Programs -6
  • UG Programs- 56
  • PG Programs - 51
  • Doctorate Programs -9
  • UG Programs- 51
  • PG Programs - 33
  • Doctorate Programs -13
  • UG Programs- 45
  • PG Programs - 28
  • Doctorate Programs -5
  • UG Programs- 31
  • PG Programs - 49
  • Doctorate Programs -8
  • UG Programs- 34
  • PG Programs - 36
  • Doctorate Programs -7
  • UG Programs- 67
  • PG Programs - 63
  • Doctorate Programs -8
  • UG Programs- 80
  • PG Programs - 93
  • Doctorate Programs -7
  • UG Programs- 58
  • PG Programs - 22
  • Doctorate Programs -12
  • UG Programs- 48
  • PG Programs - 37
  • Doctorate Programs -29
Acceptance Rate53.0 %58.0 %48.0 %54.0 %66.0 %80.0 %59.0 %55.0 %59.0 %80.0 %42.0 %30.0 %58.0 %43.0 %89.0 %4.5 %
Exam Score--------
Cost to Study
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 47520 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 36985.68 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 11534.4 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 18103.68 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 1144.8 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 23616 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 44138.88 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 14195.52 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 12142.8 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 33332.4 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 6840 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 15793.92 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 21001.68 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 7384.32 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 20354.4 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 31180.32 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 13753.44 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 11345.76 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 38188.8 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 19971.36 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 11138.4 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 11982.24 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 9637.92 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 17804.16 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 15865.2 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 3946.32 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 11521.44 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 28959.84 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 21725.28 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 28648.08 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 13122 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 6980.4 [For PG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 23392.8 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 12417.12 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 6089.76 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 15930 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 21435.84 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 13927.68 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 32843.52 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 21686.4 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 43650.72 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 13672.8 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 7436.16 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 10889.28 Per Year
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 22317.12 [For UG Program]
  • Average Tuition Fees:USD 75163.68 [For PG Program]
  • Hostel + Meal:USD 15310.08 Per Year
-Read Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full Comparison

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University of Waterloo Ranking

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

Collegedunia Study Abroad logo

Overall 91 out of 824 in Global Ranking

#5 out of 116 in Canada 2026

QS World University logo

Overall 119 out of 1401 in Global Ranking

#5 out of 30 in Canada 2026
Engineering 38 out of 556 in Global Ranking
( #3 out of 20 in Canada 2026)
Medicine 301 out of 847 in Global Ranking
( #12 out of 24 in Canada 2026)
Humanities 401 out of 553 in Global Ranking
( #14 out of 20 in Canada 2026)
Social Studies 222 out of 550 in Global Ranking
( #9 out of 16 in Canada 2026)

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University of Waterloo Ratings

Based on 58 Students Rating

7.8 out of 10
9.0/10Academic
7.8/10Accommodation
8.8/10Faculty
8.9/10Infrastructure
8.7/10Placement
7.8/10Social Life

University of Waterloo Reviews


StreamDegree TypeStudent StatusNationalityBatchCourse
Sort By :
Newest First

Engineering (13)
Sciences (12)
Computer Science and Engineering (11)
Electrical and Electronics Engineering (10)
Mathematics (6)
Arts (4)
Computer Science (3)
Accounting (2)
Actuarial Science (2)
Business (2)
Economics (2)
Finance (2)
Nursing (2)
Architecture (1)
Biology (1)
Entrepreneurship (1)
Technology (1)
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Psychology (1)
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Campus (20)
Waterloo (13)
Research (10)
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Tuition Fee (8)
Course Curriculum (7)
Exam Structure (7)
Co Op Program (5)
Entrance Scholarship (3)
Room Cost (3)
Faculty Member (2)
High School (2)
Meal Plan (2)
Work Experience (2)
Test Score (1)

58 Reviews Found

Campus Life

10

  • I think there is only one campus here at Waterloo. It's gigantic. Infrastructure is the best you could possibly get.
  • Extra-curricular activities happening all the time, all the days... But as the university itself is so big, you wouldn't know all the things all the time. So it's up to the student's interest. But one thing I can assure you is, no matter what your interest is, you can find activities related to that.
  • Sports and Gym are very good. They have olympic level swimming pool and other sports are good as well. All facilities are included in fees.
  • They have 2 libraries and in every building (there are 15-20 buildings) you can find study spaces. Libraries are very huge... One dedicated library is of 10 floors. so enough resources. Online library is there. You can access every journal, conference and publication online.
  • Research facilities are one of the best in canada and might be among the very best in the world.

Fees

  • 48-56000 CADs

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 10/10

Campus Life

10

  • The University was covered within 1000 acres of land. There were separate departments; my building name was E7, which means engineering 7. There are two major libraries and PAC , which is our sports facility. There are other activities available in the Student life centre.
  • The major campus festival is St Patrick's Day. You can participate in different activities happening but it depends upon your department. we were allowed to participate mostly in pitch competitions or sports-related activities.

Fees

  • The fee was divided into 3 semesters; you can pay accordingly as you like. Overall, it was somewhere around CAD 67,000 for the whole course; it included tuition, miscellaneous , insurance, etc.
  • The monthly expense to stay in Waterloo is somewhere around CAD 1200-1300 per month. Rent costs are between CAD 800 and 900 per month; transportation for the 1st year is free, as it is covered in your fees.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 10/10

Campus Life

10

  • 2 Campuses, one the major one in Waterloo and the second one in Kitchener (pharmacy).
  • 2 sports complexes, 1 baseball field, 1 American football field, 1 soccer field, and 1 olympic swimming pool. 2 big library buildings, 1 hospital.
  • Engineering Day usually happens on the day when the university was established. Indian clubs also organise Diwali and Ganesh festivals on the university campus.
  • There are over 50 student clubs; some target academics and some focus on extracurricular activities like running, trekking, badminton, basketball, etc. there are also some religious and cultural societies like Hindu Society of UW, English club, etc.

Fees

  • For me, the total tuition fee charged for the 4 semesters i took was 56,000 CAD (3 full-time semesters and 1 part-time semester). Flexibility here is that you can complete a master's in 3 semesters as well then your fee would be 48,000 CAD. Per semester fee for me was 16,000 CAD. I didn't take a hostel since it was tough to get into, but for hostels, it's 3200 to 4000 CAD per semester (4 months), depending on the locality of the hostel. The tuition fee includes all amenities like sports, gym, laboratory, library, etc.
  • Fee payment was semester-wise but it's flexible here; you can pre-pay the tuition and the system automatically deducts the fee.
  • Monthly expenses, including rent and groceries, will range from 1000 to 1500 CAD per month. rent in Waterloo ranges from 600 to 1000 CAD, from shared space to a private room in an apartment. Transportation was included in the tuition fee. Rest 400-500 CAD are regular expenses which include groceries and food.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 8/10

Campus Life

10

  • My University has only one campus.
  • All kinds of facilities are available on campus: Libraries, Sports, Gym, Medical Services, Clubs, Food Places and many more.
  • Major clubs at my campus for academics are Data Science club and the UW Reality Labs, for dance are UW Hip Hop and UW Dhamaka, for sports there's a club for every sport.
  • Major festival that Waterloo celebrates the best (so much that everyone from other universities nearby come here for it) is St Patty's / St Patrick's Day. There's also a carnival held every Fall which everyone looks forward to.

Fees

  • The fees is charged semester-wise. For computer Science, in first year my tuition fees was 33000 per semester but now it is 34000. They add additional expenses to that which comes up to 1000-2000 for insurance or co-op fee, it depends on the term. Then if your living on campus, they residences cost around 4000 per term, there are several residences to choose and all of them have different prices. Some residences require you to buy a meal plan while some don't, they cost around 3000 - 3200. But you mostly move out of University after first year and live outside. But since there is a housing crisis, the rent per month usually costs around 800-1200 CAD depends on the place, and If u cook then it should cost you more than 500 per month.
  • If you eat out a lot, then it can cost you anywhere between 800-1000 per month. For other activities, they usually come up to another 100-200 if you like having going out and having fun a lot. Sometimes the clubs at university do take some membership fees, which is pretty small about 2-10 dollars depends on the club. the transportation (bus and metro fees) is included in your main fee structure, and you can use ur Waterloo ID to go anywhere in Waterloo unlimited using public buses and metro. So I estimate my monthly expenses to be around 1650 including rent, food, and other activities. (All numbers are in CAD)

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 10/10

Campus Life

10

  • We have one big campus in the city. Multiple buildings around the city.
  • We also have a ring road which encloses almost all the buildings. University housing is also close by, but mostly reserved for undergrad and phd students.
  • We have a building called SLC (student life centre) where we can get into lots of clubs, sport teams other cultural activities. If we have any question, we can just go to SLC and find them. Lots of options to buy food around the campus too.

Fees

  • - Fees is paid per semester. Its not per course like other universities.
    We can do as many courses as we can for the same fee. 2-4 i the max no.of courses students do. There is an option to switch to part-time for the last term and reduce the fee by half. I did 4 courses in one semester to reduce the load in last term and converted to part-time (this would still count as a FT term)
    - 16,500 CAD per semester
    - Avg. monthly expenses:
    Rent: 800
    Groceries: 200
    Transportation: Usually free with student card from university, other wise 50/month

academic: 10/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 8/10

JR
7.5 /10

Overview

I chose this university because of rigorous academic abilities, similar culture, friends attending, good co-op program. Overall, I’m really glad I chose to attend the University of Waterloo. The academic culture pushes you to succeed, and many people are very supportive and helpful. It’s a nice city that doesn’t have too many distractions.

Campus Life

6

The university tries to get students involved in campus life and events, which is pretty nice. There are also over 100 clubs.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 7/10
infrastructure: 6/10
accomodation: 7/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 9/10

AR
8.5 /10

Overview

I wanted to do an MBA but needed more experience. This University offered a similar course in Engineering. With its high industry connections, it provided quality co-op programs that enabled me to secure a job. The overall experience is good. Connections are the major advantage of University of Waterloo. It has its very own reputation across the world. The fees, however, is insane.

Campus Life

10

There are a bunch of extracurricular activities. The university has almost every sport, 2 vast gyms, and a pool. You can get into various clubs including Data Science Clubs, Language clubs, International clubs, and Dance and Music clubs.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 8/10

AM
7.5 /10

Overview

I chose this university because of one of the main factor which is their coop program (one term study, next term internship, and so on). This gives me a lot of practical work experience. My overall experience at the University of Waterloo has been great. The students are mostly smart and helpful and make for good study partners. There is a lot of help available for those who require it, and the campus culture is good.

Campus Life

7

There are plenty of clubs to choose from (specifically for Indian students - Bollywood dance club, Bollywood music club, Bhangra club) Extracurriculars are not that great, but for leisure, they are good.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 7/10
accomodation: 7/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 6/10

Overview

Campus life at the University is vibrant and diverse offering a rich tapestry of experiences both inside & outside the classroom. The university boasts modern and well-equipped infrastructure, including lecture halls, research facilities, and libraries that cater to our academic needs. The campus buzzes with a lot of events and extracurricular activities throughout the year. These range from cultural festivals and arts performances to sports competitions and social gatherings, ensuring there's something for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

Campus Life

9

Campus life is good, we have limited resources for the library, WIFI is there, Sports facilities are also there, and yes the research facility is good. Overall everything was good.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

AK

Overview

I chose University of Waterloo for its Computer Science faculty, being the best in North America. I also received offer from my desired program (Masters with thesis), as I wanted to delve deeper into research. University of Waterloo is also reputable in the industry as it produces bright technological savvy minds, and I aspired to be one. Life at UW will be memorable if you know how to balance fun and studies together. The town of Waterloo is a student friendly place, affordable food options, and parks nearby, mostly, everything is at a walking distance from campus, if not our bus ride is also free in Waterloo.

Campus Life

10

University of Waterloo also has many extracurricular activities spanning sports, dance, music and recreational activities, so I recall from my time at UW, I have attended sporting events, salsa-bachata, bhangra, Kpop dance sessions, in addition to doing stress busting activities like pot painting and Christmas card making. So, it's not just all study but UW community gives you a platform for going beyond books as well.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 10/10

University of Waterloo Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
The Anish Chopra Masters of Accounting ScholarshipScholarship per student$5,000Level Of StudyMasterTypeAwards
Arthur F. Church Mechanical Engineering ScholarshipsScholarship per student$10,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific
Hira and Kamal Ahuja Award in EngineeringScholarship per student$7,272Level Of StudyDoctorateTypeCollege-Specific
A.B. McKie Memorial ScholarshipScholarship per student$712Level Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific
Sandford Fleming Foundation Award for Academic ExcellenceScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific
Brian Le Lievre ScholarshipScholarship per student$2,500Level Of StudyBachelorTypeCollege-Specific

View All 28 Scholarships

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FAQs


Ques. I have received an admit from University of Waterloo and Concordia University for biological sciences. Which one should I choose?

● Top Answer By Advaith Bhaskar on 20 May 23

Ans. Both the University of Waterloo and Concordia University have excellent programs in biological sciences. It ultimately boils down to which university aligns better with your goals and preferences. To make a better decision you can consider parameters like location, campus culture, available resources and opportunities, and the specific strengths of each program. University of Waterloo The University of Waterloo is located in Waterloo, Ontario It is known for its strong emphasis on technology and innovation. It has a diverse range of research opportunities and a large number of co-op programs available to students. Concordia University It is located in Montreal, Quebec. It has a reputation for its strong focus on interdisciplinary research and student-centered approach. It also offers a wide range of research opportunities and is known for its commitment to sustainability and social justice. My suggestion to you would be to choose the University Of Waterloo over Concordia because it has better scope and facilities for Biological sciences when compared to Concordia University.  It’s better to research the specific areas of biological sciences that interest you and compare the research and course offerings at each university. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your personal values and goals. Both universities have a lot to offer, so it's important to take your time and make an informed decision.Read more

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Ques. What percentage is required for an Indian student to get an easy admission to the University of Waterloo?

● Top Answer By Nikita Pathak on 11 Jan 21

Ans. Since Waterloo is one of Canada's as well as world's best universities, there is no easy way getting admitted here. Waterloo’s admission averages range from low 80s to mid-90s . These can vary depending on the number of applications received as well as the number of spaces available in each program. You should already assume that the grades of students who apply will be generally very good. Your requirements will also differ with your nationality or where you’ve studied previously. But most importantly, you should know that grades alone won’t get you inside Waterloo as they take a good look at many other things. Thus, there are some aspects to work on if you're an Indian student wishing to study here: Grades: At Least a minimum of 90% in grade 10 and grade 12 exams. (High school and Intermediate) First or Second Division standing in one of the following. All India Senior School Certificate awarded by CBSE. Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE. Other pre-university certificate awarded after 12 years of academic studies. English proficiency: Very important to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL iBT score of 90. Admission Information Form: You will need to write an exceptional AIF. This questionnaire gives you a great chance to display everything about you that makes you unique. You can share your extracurricular activities, work experience, volunteering activities and other initiatives.  Euclid Mathematics Contest: Strongly recommended to write the Euclid Mathematics Contest and/or the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest. Results of the contests will be used in scholarship decisions and possibly admission decisions for programs in the Faculty of Mathematics. Additional Factors: An online video interview may be needed, which allows the university to virtually meet you and get a sense of who you are and get a better idea of you. These are the general requirements. Please note that some programs will have different criteria depending on the competition, degree type and program specification. There will not be one way to prepare for your application as the university looks at your whole profile and then takes a decision.Read more

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Ques. What is the average GRE for people getting into MSCS of University of Waterloo?

● Top Answer By Nabiha Abidi on 11 Jan 21

Ans. While GRE is an important factor in MS Computer Science admissions at Cheriton School of Computer Science, there is not a defined cut off. This is because the University of Waterloo accepts or rejects a candidate on the basis of their overall profile. So you should simply not rely only on your strong GRE score as this doesn’t guarantee you admission. This being said, a high GPA, strong academic background with a good GRE score increases your chances of getting admitted.  On an average, it will not be wrong to claim that 75th GRE score percentile is a good GRE score . In simpler words, 161 or higher in GRE quant and 157 or higher in GRE verbal will be a good score. Lower than this will make enrollment in a top University like Waterloo much difficult. The score of GRE quant and GRE verbal contributes towards the overall GRE score, so it recommended to aim for 75 percentile or higher in quant and 60+ percentile in verbal. The competition will be higher since this is a very sought-after subject. If you're from India then the competition is even higher as there are so many talented students applying. So assuming your high GPA, it's better if you do better in Quant as compared to Verbal. This is because the subject of computer science is more oriented towards quant.Read more

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University of Waterloo Admissions

Application Portal: https://www.ouac.on.ca/

    UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO ADMISSIONS

    Applications need to meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the university as well as that of the specific course. The admission requirements at the university for Indian students, as per the level of study, is mentioned below:

    Bachelor Level Requirements:

    For undergraduate courses, the academic score of students in class 10, class 11, and class 12 are evaluated. Some of the other admission requirements entails:

    • First or Second division in Class 12.
    • Subject-specific academic score
    • IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or above with a minimum sectional score of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking
      • TOEFL-IBT score of 90 with minimum 25 in Writing and Speaking section
      • PTE Academic Score of 63 or better; minimum 65 in Writing and Speaking
    • Academic letters of recommendation
    • Personal essays

    Masters Level Requirements: 

    • Minimum 75% in pervious 4-year bachelors program 
    • IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or equivalent TOEFL-iBT score of 90
    • Writing Sample (program specific)
    • GRE/GMAT score
    • Resume letter
    • Academic and/or professional references
    • Sponsorship card (if applicable)

    University of Waterloo Exam Scores

    ExamsAvg. ScoreMin ScoreMax. Score%Submitted'
    Undergraduate
    Duolingo140120160-
    Language Proficiency
    IELTS6.56.5--
    Check Detailed Score
    Writing7.56.59-
    Speaking7.56.59-
    Reading7.569-
    Listening7.569-
    PTE76.56390-
    Check Detailed Score
    Writing77.56590-
    Speaking77.56590-
    TOEFL10590120-
    Check Detailed Score
    Writing27.52530-
    Speaking27.52530-

    Attendance Cost

    $18,757

    attendance cost

    The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees

    Tuition fees
    Undergraduate Programs
    $45,544 / Year
    Post Graduate Program
    $18,757 / Year
    Off Campus
    Housing
    $8,208 / Year
    Food
    $3,326 / Year
    Other expenses
    $4,415 / Year
    Transportation
    $242 / Year

    University of Waterloo Campuses, Schools & Faculties

    University of Waterloo Accreditations

    Institutional accreditations
    Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
    Program wise accreditation
    Architecture Programs
    Canadian Architectural Certification Board
    Engineering Programs
    Engineers Canada
    Chemistry Programs
    Canadian Society for Chemistry
    Programs
    Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario
    Programs
    Canada's Association of I.T. Professionals

    Faculty

    Total FacultyFull TimePart TimeGraduate Assistants
    4800---

    Comments


    Found 38 Comments

    K
    kriti kumari
    Dec 6, 2024 11:43
    Should I opt forfall or winter intake, and what steps should I take now.
    D
    diana mandizvidza
    Sep 19, 2024 18:53
    I want to apply for masters as an international student on a fully funded visa and scholarship. How do l go about it. I am kindly looking forward to your assistance.
    P
    Piyush Punyani
    Sep 20, 2024 12:31

    Scholarship amounts vary by program or department, but it's possible to secure a full-ride scholarship. The Faculty of Science offers 15 International Student Scholarships, each worth up to CAD $80,000, which can cover a significant portion of your expenses. You can check more about University of Waterloo scholarships here

    A
    agbamuche nkem phoebe
    Aug 23, 2024 13:54
    Can I go for master degree with a graduate diploma?
    A
    Arman Mulla
    Aug 27, 2024 20:16

    A graduate diploma alone may not qualify you for a master’s degree at the University of Waterloo; typically, a bachelor’s degree is required.

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