Application Process

Waterloo Engineering offers 12 professional engineering programs on our main campus, as well as our renowned School of Architecture in Cambridge.

Ready to apply?

• Determine your applicant type
• Choose your major when you apply
• Offers of admission
• Contact us with any questions you may have

What type of applicant are you?

Admission requirements and procedures vary based on an individual’s current academic status.  Determine your applicant type by answering the  questions below.

Important Note:  If you are interested in applying to the School of Architecture, please visit their website.

Currently in high school?

Select from the following options:

• I am currently studying at an Ontario high school.
• I am currently studying at a high school outside of Ontario, but within Canada.
• I am currently studying at a school outside of Canada.
• I am currently at a home-school program.

Currently or previously enrolled in a university degree program?

Select from the following options:

• I am currently, or have previously been enrolled at the University of Waterloo.
• I am currently, or have previously been enrolled in a university engineering (or closely related) program.
• I am currently, or have previously been enrolled in a program unrelated to engineering.

Currently or previously enrolled in CEGEP, college program, or considered a "mature" candidate?

Select from the following options:

• I am currently enrolled in a CEGEP.
• I am currently, or have previously been enrolled in a college program.
• I would consider myself a “mature” candidate without post-secondary experience.

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Choose your program when you apply

Waterloo Engineering offers direct-entry programs, meaning that students are admitted into specific engineering disciplines in first-year studies. This approach is different from institutions that offer a general first year, in which students select and compete for their discipline prior to the second-year of studies.

Not sure which one is for you? Take our online quiz to gain a better idea of your options, and then contact us to discuss your future at Waterloo.

Applications to Engineering

• Applicants must select one Waterloo Engineering program (civil, mechanical, systems design, software, etc.) on the OUAC application
  • This should be the program you are most interested in—not the one that you think is easiest to get into
• Applicants will be able to submit two alternate engineering program choices on the Admission Information Form, for which they will be considered if they are not accepted into their first choice
  • Preference for each program will be given to students who select that program on the OUAC form

Applications to Architecture

• Applications to our School of Architecture are handled independently from our engineering programs, and are available as a separate choice on the OUAC application form.

Applications to Both Engineering and Architecture

• Applicants who are interested in both architecture and engineering can apply to both programs via the OUAC
• Please note that this will require you to use two of your three OUAC choices (one for each program). Programs should be ranked in your order of preference. 

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Offers of Admission

Architecture

Following an initial screening of applicants, the School of Architecture will schedule interviews with short-listed candidates, including portfolio reviews and a précis test. For more information, please see Undergraduate Admissions on the Architecture Web site.

Following the interview process, offers of admission will be sent out in early May.

Engineering

Offers of admission for Waterloo Engineering will be posted between late February and May. The timing of offers is dependent on the number of completed applications received in time for decisions in each round. All final decisions for first-year Engineering will be posted to applicants’ OUAC accounts by late May.

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Questions and Clarifications?

Before contacting us, we ask that you review the application process in detail. Should you have additional questions or require clarifications, please e-mail us.

Thank you very much for considering the Architecture and Engineering programs the University of Waterloo. We wish you success, wherever your future takes you!

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