Canada · Public research university
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario · Founded 1957
QS World #115
THE #158
Official site
Acceptance rate
~53% overall; CS/SE ~10–15%
Total students
42,000
International
~25% (~10,000 of 42,000 students)
Annual tuition
CAD 47,500 / year (CS, 2025-26)
Waterloo is Canada's leading STEM university and the largest co-op (work-integrated learning) programme in North America, with 26,000+ students placing in paid 4-month industry terms alternating with study. Waterloo Computer Science is the most competitive CS programme in Canada and a primary feeder to Big Tech recruiting (Google, Meta, Amazon, Stripe, Shopify hire heavily from Waterloo). Acceptance rate to CS (Mathematics faculty) is 8–15%, comparable to top US privates.
Admissions requirements
- Language
- TOEFL iBT 90 with min 25 in writing/speaking; IELTS 7.0 with min 6.5 each band
- Tests
- AIF (Admissions Information Form) for engineering and computer science. SAT/ACT optional but recommended. Math contests (CSMC, Euclid) strongly considered for CS/Math admission.
- Deadlines
-
- Undergraduate Via Ouac: January 15 (most programmes); some early January for Engineering and CS
- Postgraduate: Varies by department; most January 1 to March 1 for September intake
- Financial aid
- President's Scholarship of Distinction — automatic CAD 2,000 for high-90s admits. International Master's Award — CAD 2,500/term × 4 for selected master's students. International Doctoral Student Award.
Famous for
Computer Science
Software Engineering
Mathematics (largest math faculty in the world)
Quantum Computing
Co-op programme (largest in North America)
Notable alumni
- Stephen Hawking (received honorary doctorate)
- Mike Lazaridis (BlackBerry founder)
- Andrew Lim (Pinterest engineer)
Cost estimate
$48,000 / year
Tuition $35,000 + living $13,000
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