University of Waterloo

English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at the University of Waterloo. Success in our programs requires a high level of English language proficiency.

Do you need to take a language test?

You need to provide an English language test score if

• your first language is NOT English — AND —
• your four most recent years of full-time education have NOT been in an English-language school system.

By completing the Declaration of Academic Experience in the applicant portal once you’ve applied, you’ll know whether you need to provide an English-language test score.

Exceptions

You may be exempt from submitting English language test scores if you meet one or more of the following exceptions.

You’ve studied in Canada and your first language is English

You are not required to provide an English language test score if

• your four most recent years of full-time education have been in Canada AND
• your first language is English.

You’re a Francophone Canadian

You are not required to provide an English language test score if

• you are a bilingual Francophone Canadian OR
• your first language is French and you have completed four or more years of full-time studies in a high school in Canada.

You’ve studied in an English-language school

You are not required to provide an English language test score if

• your first language is not English AND
• your four most recent years of full-time education were taught in an entirely English-language school system either in Canada or in another country.

You must submit the following by Waterloo’s document deadline to be considered for this exemption.

• Official transcripts which indicate language of instruction for all classes OR
• An official hardcopy letter from your previous schools’ principal(s) confirming which years you were enrolled and the language of instruction.
  • This must be sent directly from your school(s), verifying that all of your subjects (excluding language courses) were taught entirely in English. The letter must include your full name, date of birth, and years attended. Emailed letters will NOT be accepted. You may be required to provide a passing English language test result if your official letter does not meet our English language requirements.

Full-time English as a Second Language (ESL) programs do not qualify you for this exemption and cannot be included in the number of years of full-time education in an English-language school system.

Deadlines

Test results must be received by the document deadline for the program you’ve applied to.

• If you suspect that you do not meet the English proficiency requirements, you should take a test as soon as possible to meet the document deadline.
• Exemptions will not be granted if you’re unable to take a test by our deadline.
• Required academic English courses cannot be used in place of taking an English language test.

Declaration of Academic Experience

Once you’ve applied, completing the Declaration of Academic Experience in the applicant portal will confirm whether you need to provide an English-language test score.

Required English language scores

• Tests that do not appear on this chart are not accepted for admission consideration.
• Official test scores must be sent by the testing agency directly to Waterloo’s Office of the Registrar.
• Emails, faxes, and student copies of test scores are not accepted for admission.
• If you don’t meet one of the required scores below, you could still study at Waterloo through the Bridge to Academic Success in English program.

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Welcome to the University of Waterloo

In 1957, the University of Waterloo opened its doors to 74 engineering students with co-operative education as its cornerstone.

Today, with more than 42,000+ students attending annually, Waterloo is #1 in Canada for experiential learning and employer-student connections.

With a global network spanning more than 261,000 alumni in 152 countries, Waterloo attracts world-class scholars including a Nobel Laureate, leads in providing work-integrated learning opportunities with 8,000+ active co-op employers and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit that’s created 5,000+ jobs through Velocity alone, Canada’s most productive startup incubator by private investment.

Guided by our Waterloo at 100 strategic vision, the University of Waterloo continues to spur innovation to solve problems on a global scale. Together, with the help of our partners and community, we can accomplish even more.

Who we are

We are a leading global research-intensive university, renowned for entrepreneurship and innovation, providing co-op and work-integrated learning at scale with impact.

What we envision

A community of curious, collaborative, innovative and entrepreneurial problem-solvers and leaders who seek to understand and identify equitable and sustainable solutions for the future of humanity and our planet.

Where innovation and opportunity meet

• The University of Waterloo has 41,000+ full and part-time students cumulatively between undergraduate and graduate programs (fall 2024)
• 1000-acre main campus, 100+ buildings with six faculties
• 1957: University of Waterloo opens with 74 students, with engineering and co-operative education as cornerstones
• #1 computer science program Maclean’s 2024
• TOP 1% of universities in the world Centre for World University Rankings 2025
• #18 university in the world for startup founders Pitchbook University Rankings 2025

Institutional structure

Board of Governors

The powers of the Board of Governors (the “Board”) are set out in the University of Waterloo Act, 1972.

The Board is governed by a bylaw that contains the rules regulating the operation of the Board.

The Board’s responsibilities are set out in the Board Mandate.

The Board retains the ultimate responsibility and authority for governance of the University however under shared governance, the Senate is given primary authority over different areas of expertise and a voice in decisions affecting the University.

The President and Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and has authority and responsibility for administering the affairs of the University and acts on behalf of the Board with respect to the operational management and control of the University.

The President and Vice-Chancellor has those powers, duties and functions that are legislated by the University of Waterloo Act, 1972 and assigned by the Board.

Learn about the Board of Governors.

Senate

The powers of the Senate are set out in the University of Waterloo Act, 1972.

The Senate is governed by a set of bylaws that contain the rules regulating the operation of the Senate.

The Senate sets the University’s educational policies and is responsible for academic programs, educational policies, faculty appointments and tenure, qualifications for degrees and diplomas, conferring honorary degrees and appointing the Chancellor. The Senate also has the power subject to the approval of related expenses by the Board of Governors to create and abolish faculties, departments, schools and institutes.

The President and Vice-Chancellor is the Chair of Senate.

Learn about the Senate.

Chancellor

Jagdeep Singh Bachher was appointed Chancellor of the University of Waterloo on July 1, 2024.

The office of Chancellor is established in the University of Waterloo Act, 1972. The Chancellor is elected by the University’s Senate as titular head of the University, presiding over convocation ceremonies and conferring all degrees. They are a key ambassador for the institution, connecting it with the board community and advancing the University’s interests locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

The Chancellor serves as a member of the Board of Governors and Senate.

Learn about the role of Chancellor

University leadership

View the organizational charts representing the University of Waterloo Executive Leadership team.

President and Vice-Chancellor

Dr. Vivek Goel, a distinguished scholar with extensive achievements in research, teaching and leadership across both public and private sectors, began his tenure as president and vice-chancellor in July 2021.

Goel is recognized in Canada and around the world as a leading public-health research champion for the use of research evidence in health policy making.

The President and Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of the University and has general supervision over, and direction of, the operation of the University, providing institutional leadership and oversight, developing and driving institutional vision and strategies, and acting as the University’s principal ambassador and principal voice.

The President focuses on enhancing the performance of the University as a leading institution of higher learning dedicated to advancing learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, locally, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and inquiry.

The President is an ex-officio voting member of the Board of Governors and also an ex-officio voting member of Senate (Chair) and all of Senates’ standing committees, an ex officio member of each Faculty Council and, in the absence of the Chancellor, Chair of Convocation.

Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost

Thomas Duever

The Vice-President, Academic and Provost provides leadership, oversight, direction and linkages across a broad spectrum of university operations, including long-range academic and institutional planning, academic operations, student experience and budgeting and reporting. The Provost also acts as a leader and champion for scholarly pursuits, teaching, learning and interdisciplinary education and working with the faculties, drive discovery, creativity and innovation across our campuses and within our community.

Vice-President, Research and International

Charmaine Dean

The Vice-President, Research and International, is responsible for leading Waterloo’s research excellence for global impact, expanding internationalization and global engagement and building Waterloo’s pre-eminent reputation for innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship, for the betterment of society and its people.

History

Building a world-changer

In 1957, innovation and entrepreneurship brought the University of Waterloo into being, as a group of business leaders imagined a new university built to tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges.

It was the age of the Cold War and the space race when a single computer filled a room. Discoveries in science, medicine and engineering were coming fast and furious. Industry leaders in Kitchener-Waterloo knew moving forward meant more than just training people in the technology of the day.

Campuses

Waterloo campus

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Spread over 400 hectares of former farmland in Waterloo, Ontario, a leading Canadian technology hub, the University of Waterloo’s main campus is home to advanced research in a variety of fields, including health, engineering, mathematics, psychology, quantum information, nanotechnology and environmental studies.

Cambridge campus

Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

The School of Architecture at Waterloo offers a fully co-operative professional program, and has been rated the greenest architecture curriculum in Canada. The nationally and internationally respected design school is located in the historic Riverside Silk Mill in the old Galt neighbourhood of Cambridge, along the banks of the Grand River.

Kitchener campus

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

The School of Pharmacy is the anchor institution for the Health Sciences Campus of the University of Waterloo. The campus is also home to the regional program of McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Medicine as well as a family health team. Student pharmacists have the opportunity to care for patients as part of an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals.

Stratford campus

Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Focused on education in digital arts and media, the Stratford campus is a collaborative, strategic partnership between the City of Stratford and the University of Waterloo, bringing students, leading researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs together to create, examine and commercialize opportunities in the digital media space.

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Tuition Fee Schedules – International Students

University of Waterloo charges tuition one term at a time. Fees are due prior to the start of term.

• fall term – September to December;
• winter term – January to April;
• spring term – May to August.

Tuition rates are approved annually by the Board of Governors. For details about tuition charged for your program, please see the appropriate fee schedule below. Incidental fees are subject to change.

Your student fee bill will be available on Quest approximately one month prior to the start of lectures each term. Students are notified at their uwaterloo.ca e-mail address at that time.

All amounts are shown in Canadian dollars.

Tuition FAQ

International students

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Scholarships for international students

We’ll automatically consider you for most of our scholarships, including our President’s and Merit scholarships. However, there are some scholarships which require an application, including some of the ones listed below.

Additional scholarships

View all scholarships or select your faculty (Arts, Engineering, Environment, Health, Math, or Science) or your program of interest.

• Scholarships which require an application
• Scholarships you’ll automatically be considered for

Not sure which faculty offers your program of interest? View programs listed by faculty.

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Is Canada still a good country for international students?

Yes! Canada continues to offer a world-class education system with rigorous academic programs, robust support services, and high-quality research. International students can gain valuable Canadian work experience as a student and after graduation.

Although there has been lots in the media about limiting the number of international students in the country, universities in Canada are still able to welcome thousands of students from around the world. Most of the reduction in international students has been at the college level in Canada.

Canada is a safe country that ranks 4th globally for adaptability, inclusiveness, and social justice (U.S. News 2024).

Is Waterloo a good destination for international students?

Yes! Waterloo expects to admit similar numbers of international students as previous years.

Waterloo has one of the highest graduation rates among Ontario’s universities. Recent research shows that 70% of Waterloo’s international graduates secure Permanent Resident status-double the national university average-and earn more after graduating than Canadian-born students.

International students can gain up to two years of paid Canadian work experience before they graduate through our co-op program. And then you can apply to the Post-Graduate Work Program once you graduate.

As Canada’s #1 research university for the past 17 years, Waterloo is among the top 8% of universities globally and offers the the world’s leading co-op program.

Will I get a study permit?

Waterloo has one of the highest student permit approval rates in Canada. Last year, Waterloo’s allocation of student permits was not significantly impacted and we don’t expect a significant decrease in the number of international students we can welcome to campus this year.

Tip: To avoid potential processing delays, we recommend students apply for their Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) and student permit as soon as they accept their Offer of Admission and pay their tuition deposit.

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