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University of Waterloo

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Who We Are

Ranked as Canada’s most innovative university for 30 of the last 32 years by Maclean's Magazine, the University of Waterloo offers 100+ programs in business, health, engineering, math, science, the arts, environment and more. 

Through the largest co-op (paid internship) program at a research-intensive university in the world, you can include up to two years of relevant work experience as part of your degree, giving you an advantage for your career. Our network of 8,000+ employers includes many of the world’s leading companies.  

Waterloo ranks among the world’s top 175 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and #1 in Canada for graduate employment rate in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022. Physics and Astronomy professor Donna Strickland won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics, only the third woman in history to do so. 

With 50,000+ university and college 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. Learn more at uwaterloo.ca/future-students.

Need more reasons to apply? Here are 7!

  1. Join a community that celebrates diversity, passion and purpose – and that’s consistently ranked among Canada’s best and most innovative universities. 
  2. More than 100 programs to choose from – many that are unique to Waterloo and are ranked among the top in the world. 
  3. Most of our programs are offered through co-op and through the regular system of study, which follows the traditional September to April school year. 
  4. Explore careers and earn money through North America’s largest network of co-op employers. With 4 to 6 co-op terms, you’ll graduate with up to 2 years of valuable work experience and be ready to launch your career.
  5. Waterloo's students are successful; they have some of the highest graduation and degree completion rates in Ontario. 
  6. With more than 1,000 start-up companies, Waterloo is a leader in helping student entrepreneurs turn their creative ideas into businesses.
  7. Located 110 km west of Toronto in a clean, safe, mid-sized city that's home to 2 universities and a college. 

Campus Life

  • On-campus residence is guaranteed for first-year and transfer students. More than just a place to live, Waterloo’s residences provide connections that can last a lifetime while living in the heart of our campus.
  • Stay active through one of the country's largest campus recreation programs. Choose from dozens of intramural sports and clubs, including soccer, basketball, kickboxing and yoga. 
  • More than 250 student clubs, including Canada's oldest university 2SLGBTQ+ organization.
  • Enjoy a new athletics field house for year-round intramural and varsity sports and an expanded student life centre.