University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
30000 International Students

QS Rank
112
Languages
English
Acceptance rate
53
Dorm on Campus
Available
Mode of Degree
offline
About the University
University of Waterloo: Founded in 1956, the University of Waterloo stands as a prominent public institution situated in Waterloo, Canada. Renowned for its academics, it holds a position among global universities, ranking 112th in the QS World University Rankings for the year 2024. The university's commitment to innovation and excellence garners attention from aspiring graduate students and researchers worldwide. With an acceptance rate of 53%, gaining admission to this institution presents a moderate challenge.
University of Waterloo
Founded in 1908, the University of Waterloo stands as one of Canada's oldest academic institutions. Located in Edmonton, it consistently ranks among the nation's top five and globally within the top 150 for both its teaching and research across various disciplines.
Spanning five campuses across two cities, the university has a diverse student body of over 44,000 individuals from 150 different countries. Specialized centers such as the Alberta Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies enhance the university's international standing, contributing significantly to its esteemed reputation for academic excellence.
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University of Waterloo Key Highlights
The University of Waterloo is a public research institution in Canada. With campuses in Edmonton and Camrose, it attracts students globally for its academic reputation and favorable location. Committed to excellence, the university aims to maintain its world ranking and provide excellent services to students.
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Concordia University Key Highlights |
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University Type |
Public, Coed |
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Average Annual Tuition Fee |
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Admission Intakes |
Fall, Spring, Summer & Winter |
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GPA Requirement |
2.7-3.5 (Varies) |
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Average Exam Score Requirement |
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Admission Requirements |
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Percentage of International Students |
40% |
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Size of Campus |
230 acres |
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Female to Male Ratio |
55:44 |
University of Waterloo Ranking
The University of Waterloo has grown itself in global recognition, securing the 109th position in the prestigious THE World University Rankings for 2024, marking an improvement from its previous standing at 118th in 2023. To know about other University of Waterloo Rankings, candidates can refer to the table below.
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Concordia University Ranking |
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Ranking Agency |
Ranking 2024 |
Ranking 2023 |
Ranking 2022 |
Ranking 2021 |
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QS World University Rankings |
112 |
110 |
126 |
119 |
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THE World University Rankings |
109 |
118 |
125 |
131 |
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U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities |
- |
136 |
135 |
138 |
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ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) |
- |
- |
92 |
101-150 |
University of Waterloo Scholarships
The institution is well-known for providing a wide range of scholarships to international students interested in studying in Canada. These scholarships are provided to undergraduate and graduate students based on their academic achievements and involvement in extracurricular activities. The University of Waterloo offers both application-based and admission-based scholarships to deserving students in need of financial assistance. Here are some of the University of Waterloo Scholarships available:
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University of Waterloo Scholarships |
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Name of Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Award Amount |
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International Student Scholarship |
1st-year undergraduate degree students on a student visa with an excellent academic record; Renewable if GPA score of 3.0 (85%) or above |
Up to 9,000 CAD |
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University of Waterloo International Country Scholarship |
based on merit to 1st-year undergraduate students on a study permit |
Up to 5,000 CAD |
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International Entrance Leadership Scholarship |
80% and above in academics, studying at a study permit, extracurricular achievements |
Up to 5,000 CAD |
University of Waterloo Top Courses
The University of Waterloo offers more than 200 bachelor's degree programs and over 500 courses for graduate students. International students have the opportunity to select from a wide range of research-oriented and online programs. These programs are available across different departments and schools within the university.
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University of Waterloo Top Courses |
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Programs |
Duration |
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Master of Business Administration [M.B.A], Public Policy and Management |
2 Years |
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Master of Business Administration [M.B.A], Business Analytics |
2 Years |
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Bachelor of Management [B.Mgmt], Business Economics |
2 Years |
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Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com], Finance |
20 Months |
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Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com], Accounting |
20 Months |
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Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com], Accounting - After Degree |
20 Months |
University of Waterloo Campuses
The University of Waterloo's main campus sits in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, ranking among the nation's finest educational institutions. Spanning more than 200 acres, it stands as one of Canada's largest university campuses. With 38,000 students enrolled across its 18 faculties, the university operates across five distinct campuses: North Campus, South Campus, Augustana Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, and Enterprise Square.
University of Waterloo Cost of Attendance
At the University of Waterloo, students have access to a wide selection of academic offerings, with more than 200 undergraduate programs and over 500 graduate courses available. International students are presented with diverse options, including research-based and online programs. These programs are offered across different faculties and schools within the university.
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University of Waterloo Cost of Attendance |
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Programs |
Total Annual Fees |
Total Annual Fees |
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Master of Business Administration [M.B.A], Public Policy and Management |
INR 1856293 |
CAD 30,451 |
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Master of Business Administration [M.B.A], Business Analytics |
INR 1890796 |
CAD 31,017 |
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Bachelor of Management [B.Mgmt], Business Economics |
INR 2257288 |
CAD 37,029 |
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Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com], Finance |
INR 2439132 |
CAD 40,012 |
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Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com], Accounting |
INR 2439132 |
CAD 40,012 |
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Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com], Accounting - After Degree |
INR 2439132 |
CAD 40,012 |
University of Waterloo Major Intakes
Before applying, students need to know the deadlines. The dates for international students vary by program, with some needing applications up to a year in advance. For undergraduate programs starting in the Fall, most require applications by March 1st. International students applying to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research have their deadlines.
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University of Waterloo Major Intakes |
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Term |
Deadlines |
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September |
July 1, 2023, |
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January |
November 1, 2023, |
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May |
March 1, 2024 |
University of Waterloo Work Study Programs
International students studying at the University of Waterloo may be eligible to participate in work-study programs in Canada, subject to their enrollment status and where they intend to work. They are not forced to obtain a work permit for on-campus or off-campus employment while pursuing their studies. International students have several options for employment, including
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On-Campus Employment: International students with a valid study permit can work within designated areas of the University of Waterloo, Edmonton Campus, Enterprise Square, South Campus, Campus Saint-Jean, and North Campus.
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Off-Campus Employment: International students can explore full-time job opportunities off-campus in academic, vocational, and professional training programs. Students must possess a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work off-campus. Under this arrangement, students can:
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Work up to 20 hours per week during regular school periods and full-time during scheduled breaks.
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Work full-time if they have completed their program and have applied for a master's degree before their permit expires.
University of Waterloo Notable Alumni
The University of Waterloo Alumni network includes a strong community of over 300,000 members. Among these members are 75 Rhodes Scholars. Alumni enjoy various benefits, including career support through the Alumni Career Services program. Below is the list of Notable Alumni of University of Waterloo.
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University of Waterloo Notable Alumni |
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Alumni Name |
Profession |
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Joe Clark |
Politician |
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Beverley McLachlin |
Lawyer/Judge |
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Professor Abdulhakem Elezzabi |
Physicist |
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John Gamon |
Environmental Scientist |
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Andriy Kovalenko |
Hockey player |
University of Waterloo Cost of Living
With reasonable meal plans and accessible on-campus housing, living costs at the University of Waterloo are affordable. Follow the table below for reference:
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University of Waterloo Cost of Living |
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Expense |
Cost of Living in Canada in CAD |
Equivalent Cost for Indians in INR |
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Books and Material (yearly) |
Up to 1,665 |
Up to 1 lakh |
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Health Insurance (monthly) |
550- 915 |
33,000 to 55,000 |
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Food (monthly) |
250 |
15,000 |
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Transport (monthly) |
30- 65 |
2,000-4,000 |
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Entertainment (monthly) |
135 |
8,000 |
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Phone & Internet (monthly) |
30 |
2,000 |
University of Waterloo Placements
The University of Waterloo prioritizes preparing its students for very powerful career paths ahead. It offers practical training and personalized career guidance to empower students to excel and attract top employers. According to reports, graduates from University of Waterloo typically earn an average annual salary of 69,000 CAD (approximately 42.46 lakhs INR). Here are some well-paying job options in Canada for international students along with their corresponding salaries
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University of Waterloo Placements |
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Professions |
Average Annual Salary in CAD |
Equivalent Salary for Indians in INR |
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Software Developer |
62,000 |
38.15 lakhs |
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Project Engineer |
78,400 |
48.24 lakhs |
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Mechanical Engineer |
76,600 |
47.13 lakhs |
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Human Resources Manager |
74,900 |
46.10 lakhs |
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Operations Manager |
86,800 |
52.41 lakhs |
Requirements for Study
Undergraduate Programs:
- Completion of secondary education with an average of 80-85% for most programs.
- Some programs may have higher admission averages.
- Some programs require specific prerequisite courses.
- English language proficiency: Minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90 or IELTS score of 6.5.
Graduate Programs:
- Completion of a relevant undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 75%.
- Some programs may require higher GPAs.
- Additional requirements may include letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and GRE scores.
- English language proficiency: Minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90 or IELTS score of 7.0.

