Ranked as Canada's most innovative university for 30 of the last 32 years by Maclean's, the University of Waterloo offers 100+ programs Ranked as Canada's most innovative university for 30 of the last 32 years (Maclean's), the University of Waterloo offers 100+ programs in business, health, engineering, math, science, the arts, and environment.
We offer the world's largest co-op program of its kind. Our co-op students completed nearly 25,000 work terms last year, earning between $9,600 and $22,500 CAD per work term (which could total up to $135,000 CAD earned over the course of your degree). What does co-op mean for you? It means you get up to two years of relevant work experience built into your degree -- testing careers, making money, building your résumé, and accessing our network of 8,000+ employers (including many of the world's leading companies) before you even graduate.
Waterloo ranks among the world's top 115 universities (QS World University Rankings 2024) and is Canada's #1 comprehensive research university (Research Infosource 2023). Physics and Astronomy professor Donna Strickland won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics, only the third woman in history to do so. Plus, we have a first-year residence guarantee, 200+ clubs, and Canada's largest campus recreation program.
With 42,000+ students, the surrounding community provides an exciting range of shops and restaurants and is home to residents from 200 cultural backgrounds. The University is located in the city of Waterloo, 110 km west of Toronto, Canada's largest and most dynamic city.
Waterloo has many areas of expertise. We are:
- #1 in Canada for hands on-experiential learning
- #1 in Canada for best co-op program
- #1 university in Canada for founders
- #1 in Canada for Engineering program reputation
- #1 in Canada for Computer Science
- #1 in Canada for Remote Sensing
- top 3 in Canada for Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities research quality
- top 5 in Canada for Natural Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Environmental Sciences
- and have the world’s first department of Kinesiology
| | # Beds | Lowest | Highest |
| Co-ed: | 5,000 beds | Lowest: $6,900 | Highest: $8,500 |
First-year and transfer students are guaranteed residence. Visit the Waterloo housing website for more info.
NOTE: dorm style residence (those without kitchens) require a meal plan. Meal plans range from $6,200 to $7,200 and are paid in addition to the fees above.
Every university has a different approach to meal plans, make sure you ask all institutions about these types of additional residence costs.
Orientation at UWaterloo
Each faculty and residence has many programs to enhance the first-year experience and help you make the transition to university life. Some of the services on campus include academic advice, counselling services, health services, accessibility service, and Technical support and more. Find more information on theOrientation website.
Support for international students
A series of pre-arrival webinars, starting in July. You'll talk to upper-year international students, ask your questions, learn about next steps, and start meeting other international students who will be coming to Waterloo.
We offer door-to-door airport pickup services. Once you arrive at the airport, we'll pick you up and drop you off at your place of residence. We also send you details before you arrive about how to navigate the airport (things like: what documents do you need?)
The International Peer Community (IPC) is a peer-support program aimed at helping you settle in and feel at home at the University of Waterloo. Through community-based activities, this program helps you to build a support network, develop a sense of community and intercultural competencies, enhance interactional skills, and learn about Canada and other cultures.
If you're ever experiencing difficulty, you can connect one-on-one with our Student Success Office to find the specific support you need.
International student orientation is a 3-day program designed specifically for you. We'll answer all your questions about being here, like: What is my WatCard? How do I get a phone plan to contact my family? Where do I eat? Where can I buy things?
Find more information on the International Student Resources website.
Our Centre for Career Developement provides opportunities to help you prepare for your future. We will help you through:
- One-on-one support
- Exclusive workshops in areas like interview skills, networking, skills identification, and résumé building
- Building your strategy to find work
- Reflecting on your skills
- Applying and interviewing for jobs
- Making career-related decisions
- Exploring post-graduate programs
Learn about intramural sports and campus recreation opportunities by visiting the Athletics Website.
Success comes easier when you have a community of people cheering you on. Through clubs, teams, events, and even your classes, you'll form a social network that connects you to fun, new experiences, and support throughout your time at Waterloo. Find out more on our Student Life website.
Whether you're interested in food, politics, dance, business, gaming, or the environment, your Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) offers more than 200 student clubs: the perfect way to meet others who share your interests. As well, there are nearly 30 athletic clubs, ranging from archery and dragon boat to Quidditch and Ultimate.
And if there isn't a club that matches your interests, gather a group of friends and start your own club with the help of WUSA. Find out more information on our Clubs and Activities website.
We provide effective information systems, technology, and services in support of your learning. Find more information on our Information Technology website.
A large fine arts area and studio, architecture studios, four museums, two art galleries, an observatory, a rare book collection, student clubs, and many social activities and special events.
At Waterloo, we're dedicated to your success. Hundreds of people across campus are ready to help you define and achieve your goals. And it pays off. 97.4% of Waterloo grads are employed two years after graduation. Find more information on our Student Services website.
Students can register for academic programs through Renison and St. Jerome's, and all four institutions offer specialized programs and residence facilities in the atmosphere of smaller colleges within the university setting.
- 35 cultural groups that are active on campus
- 140 exchange and study abroad programs
- Over 1,000 students have an international co-op work term each year.
Waterloo International (WI) is a full-service resource center for international students. You'll find answers to your academic, social, cultural, legal, or financial questions. WI also leads an orientation session, offers programming to help you meet other international students, can help you improve your English skills, and organizes on- and off-campus activities.
Join us for a tour and see what our campus has to offer! Learn about co-op, housing, faculties, University Colleges, and more. We have in-person and virtual options available. Find more information on our Tours and Events website.