University of Waterloo: University Insights
- The Headmaster Counsulting
- Dec 14, 2022
- 3 min read
About the University
The University of Waterloo is home to 100+ programs in business, health, engineering, math, science, the arts, environment, and more.
The world's largest co-op (paid internship) program allows you to include up to two years of relevant work experience as part of your degree, giving you an advantage in your career.
The University is located in Waterloo, 110 km west of Toronto, Canada's largest and most dynamic city. It's also home to residents from 200 cultural backgrounds.
Overview
Location: Waterloo, Canada
Type: Public Research University
Founded: 1959
Tuition: $47,000 - $66,000
Fun Facts
Waterloo's all Co-Op
All Waterloo Engineering students are automatically enrolled in Waterloo's co-op program. The entire undergraduate population rotates between co-op and school every four months. This means every student gets to bring back their work experience to the classroom and take a real-world approach to learn.
Hard Hats Collection
During the engineering orientation week, every first-year student earns a bright yellow hard hat. With further participation in orientation week as a leader in upper years, you can earn a green, red, or black hard hat!
Strong Startup Culture
Velocity is the most productive incubator by private investment in Canada, with a one-year company survival rate of 92% for Velocity startups (2019). In addition, Waterloo's entrepreneurship programs generated $2.3 billion in revenue and 7,500 jobs in the last decade.
The largest concentration of math and computer science talent in the world
UWaterloo's Faculty of Mathematics has 250 lecturers and professors and 8,000 students studying everything from computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence to pure and applied mathematics. The sheer size of the faculty allows UWaterloo to cover a breadth and depth of study that you won't find anywhere else.
The Engineering school is Canada's largest and is ranked in the world's top 40
With just under 8,000 students enrolled in 15 undergraduate and 37 graduate degree programs, UWaterloo is Canada's largest engineering school. Each year, they graduate the most significant number of engineers at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in Canada.
"Canada's Most Innovative University" title for 28 consecutive years!
In its yearly rankings, Maclean's Magazine (Canada's top business and politics publication) has named the University of Waterloo "Canada's Most Innovative University" for 28 years straight.
Academics
Graduation Rate:
Retention Rate: 94.7%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Admissions
Average SAT | NA |
Average ACT | NA |
Average TOEFL | 90 (iBT) |
Average IELTS | 7 |
Institution Code | 0996 |
Application Deadline | February |
Ranking
The University of Waterloo is one of the top public universities in Waterloo, Canada. It is ranked #154 in QS World University Rankings 2023 and #191 in Best Global Universities by US News.
Application Requirements
Academic Transcripts
English Language Proficiency Scores
Majors Available
A
Accounting and Financial Management
Actuarial Science
Anthropology
Applied Mathematics
Architectural Engineering
Architecture
B
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Biochemistry
Biological and Medical Physics
Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Sciences
Biostatistics
Biotechnology/Chartered Professional Accountancy
Business Administration (Laurier) and Computer Science (Waterloo) Double Degree
Business Administration (Laurier) and Mathematics (Waterloo) Double Degree
Business programs
C
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Classical Studies (2 majors available)
Climate and Environmental Change
Co-op programs
Combinatorics and Optimization
Communication Studies
Computational Mathematics
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Computing and Financial Management
D
Data Science
E
Earth Sciences
Economics
Education (teaching)
Electrical Engineering
English (3 majors available)
Environment and Business
Environment, Resources, and Sustainability
Environmental Engineering
Environmental programs at a glance
Environmental Science
F
Fine Arts (2 majors available)
French
G
Gender and Social Justice
Geography and Aviation
Geography and Environmental Management
Geological Engineering
Geomatics
German
Global Business and Digital Arts
H
Health Sciences
History
Honors Arts (30 majors available)
Honours Arts and Business (30 majors available)
Honours Science
I
Information Technology Management
International Development
K
Kinesiology
Knowledge Integration
L
Legal Studies
Liberal Studies
Life Sciences (4 majors available)
M
Management Engineering
Materials and Nanosciences
Mathematical Economics
Mathematical Finance
Mathematical Optimization
Mathematical Physics
Mathematics (14 majors available)
Mathematics/Business Administration
Mathematics/Chartered Professional Accountancy
Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management
Mathematics/Teaching
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering
Medicinal Chemistry
Medieval Studies
Minors and specializations
Music
N
Nanotechnology Engineering
Nursing
O
Optometry
P
Pathways to medical school and other health professions
Peace and Conflict Studies
Pharmacy
Philosophy
Physical Sciences (8 majors available)
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Planning
Political Science
Pre-law
Psychology – Bachelor of Arts
Psychology – Bachelor of Science
Public Health
Pure Mathematics
R
Recreation and Leisure Studies
Recreation and Sport Business
Religious Studies
S
Science and Aviation
Science and Business
Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies
Social Development Studies
Social Work
Sociology
Software Engineering
Spanish
Statistics
Sustainability and Financial Management
Systems Design Engineering
T
Teaching
Theatre and Performance
Therapeutic Recreation
Famous Alumni
V. K. Aatre: Scientist and former head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation
Don Boudria: Canadian Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister
Dianne Haskett: Mayor of London, Ontario
Heather Moyse: Two-time Olympic gold medalist in bobsleigh
Vahid Tarokh: Professor at Harvard University
Robert Tibshirani: Stanford professor and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Kevin Strain: President & CEO of Sun Life Financial
David I. McKay: Current President & CEO of Royal Bank of Canada
Manas K. Mandal: Director of the Defence Institute of Psychological Research
Rasmus Lerdorf: PHP creator
The Headmaster Student Experience
"I chose The University of Waterloo for its co-op program and world-renowned engineering faculty and diversity. The co-op program has significantly helped me build my professional network and gain experience within the field. They also have great scholarships and grants to explore."
- The Headmaster Student
Sources
"About Waterloo." Quick Facts. 24 Feb. 2022. Web. 7 Nov. 2022.
EDC, Waterloo. "Five Astounding Facts about the University of Waterloo." Five Astounding Facts about the University of Waterloo. Web. 7 Nov. 2022.
"Seven Fun Facts about Waterloo Engineering." Undergraduate Programs. 11 July 2022. Web. 7 Nov. 2022.
"University of Waterloo in Canada - US News Best Global Universities." Web. 7 Nov. 2022.
"University of Waterloo." Top Universities. Web. 7 Nov. 2022.
If you’re looking to apply to international universities or exploring overseas higher education options, The Headmaster
Consulting can help you narrow your selection and provide you with insights about universities. For more information about other universities, you can check out our University Insights. If you’re unsure of your profile, book a free consulting session with one of our consultants to help you build a standout profile.
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