Programs

You can choose between research-based or course-based master's program or maybe you are ready for a doctoral program. Each department offers a range of programs to get you on your future career track! 

prof working with grad student in lab

Click here for our programs chart

Chemical Engineering (Course-Based and Research-Based)

  Masters (MEng) Masters (MEng Co-op) Masters (MASc) Doctorate (PhD)
Degree Options

Master of Engineering specializations include:

  • Biological Engineering
  • Polymer Science and Engineering
  • Process Systems Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship

Master of Engineering Co-op specializations include:

  • Biological Engineering
  • Polymer Science and Engineering
  • Process Systems Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship

Master of Applied Science

Collaborative Program in Nanotechnology

Collaborative Program in Water

Doctor of Philosophy

Collaborative Program in Nanotechnology

Collaborative Program in Water

Program Course-based Course-based Course/Research Based Course/Research based
Option to transfer after admission Yes-Eligible students can transfer to a MASc or PhD Yes-Eligible students can transfer to a MASc or PhD Yes-Eligible students can transfer to a PhD  
Time 12-16 months 16-20 months 2 years 4 years

Supervisor

required

No No Yes Yes
Cost

self-funded

Tuition info

self-funded

Tuition info

Minimum funding package of $18,000/yr (up to six academic terms)

Tuition info

Minimum funding package of $30,000/ yr (up to 12 academic terms)

Tuition info

FT/PT Full and Part time Full and Part time Full and Part time Full and Part time
Admit Term Fall, Winter, Spring Fall, Winter, Spring Fall, Winter, Spring Fall, Winter, Spring

Engineering Application Deadlines

  • Intake September/ Fall – Apply by Feb 1st  of the same year.
  • Intake January/ Winter – Apply by June 1st of the previous year.
  • Intake May/ Spring – Apply by Oct 1st  of the previous year.

Course-based

Master of Engineering (MEng) ​

  • MEng takes 12-16 months to complete, and MEng Co-op 16-20 months  below Student must complete at-least 8.5 courses

A course-based Master’s of Engineering (MEng) in Chemical Engineering is intended to increase knowledge, generally to specialize technically or develop complementary skills (e.g. management). This degree is often intended for working professionals. It can help you advance your career by opening up more career opportunities in the industry and it also helps you in starting up your own business.

  • Students must complete at-least 8.5 courses
  • Finding a supervisor is not required to receive an offer of admission to the MEng program.
  • Guaranteed funding does not apply to the MEng Coursework program, but applicants are recommended to apply for external scholarships other funding and scholarship opportunities
  • MEng takes 12-16 months to complete, and MEng Co-op 16-20 months  below Student must complete at-least 8.5 courses
  • Available Full time or Part time
  • Fall applications are preferred, though exceptions will be considered upon request
  • Eligible students can transfer to a MASc or PhD


 

For Full-time students, the MEng is a three to five term program depending on the options you choose. Students can choose to have a specialization or choose direct admission into the Co-operative MEng program. Students don’t need a supervisor or research. This is a self-funded program.

We offer specializations in

Let's hear from a MEng student.

a man wearing glasses smiling in front of a staircase

Chemical engineering MEng student Hriday Sodhani

"I was thrilled to be selected as an MEng Chemical Engineering student at the University of Waterloo. The university's stellar reputation and high rankings were significant factors in my decision to pursue my degree there."

"From the outset, Waterloo has made me feel welcome and has provided a wealth of resources to support my success at the highest level. One of the standout features of UWaterloo is the abundant opportunities within the university to develop interpersonal skills, which are invaluable for future endeavors."

Research-based

The research-based program Master of Applied Science (MASc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) in Chemical Engineering will also increase technical knowledge, but additionally develops other skills related to the research project such as creativity, flexibility and analytical skills. The research focus also facilitates continuation to a PhD. It can help you advance in your career by opening up more career opportunities in the industry and academia or teaching. 

  • For Full-time students, the PhD is a four-year program, and the MASc is a two-year program

  • In both of these research based degrees you will have course requirements and you will produce original research and develop a thesis

  • Students must complete a set of courses (find the required courses of your program of interest in the GSPA Academic Calendar)  

  • Finding a supervisor is mandatory to receive an offer of admission for the MASc or PhD program, but you don’t need to have one to apply 

  • There is guaranteed minimum funding of $18,000/yr (up to six academic terms) for MASc, and a minimun funding of $30,000/yr (up to 12 academic terms)

  • Students are also eligible to apply for TA or RA positions

  • Part-time degree options are available please contact our Manager of Graduate Studies for more information.

  • Available Full and Part-time, admit terms open in Fall, Winter and Spring

  • Eligible MASc students can transfer to a PhD

* Visit our Research and supervisors page to learn more about our faculty’s research interests  and identify possible supervisors whose interests align with your own. Our Manager of Graduate Studies can assist in your search for a supervisor. 

Please book an appointment with Judy Caroon, the Manager of Graduate Studies here.

Let's hear from a MASc student.

a woman with long red hair smiling with her hands in her pockets

Chemical engineering MASc student Samantha Usas

"I have always been passionate about sustainability and knew I wanted to do my Masters in Sustainable Energy Systems. The University of Waterloo’s Chemical Engineering department has very innovative research in that field, so I knew it was a good fit. My research in alternative biomass-based carbon capture technologies has been a very exciting but only part of my Waterloo experience."

"I really appreciate the extracurricular opportunities UW has to offer. SERVE volleyball club has been very welcoming and helped me join the athletics community. The CEGSA reps and members have also been exceptional at planning and hosting fun events for grad students to build connections in the department such as board game nights and coffee hours."

Doctoral (PhD)

Exceptional applicants may be considered for direct-entry to the PhD program from a bachelor’s program. Applicants interested in being considered for a direct-entry PhD should include a statement to that effect in their Supplementary Information Form (SIF) when applying.

Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Undergraduate students at the University of Waterloo have the option to enrol in the Accelerated Master’s program to accomplish some of the work required for a MASc degree.


Nanotechnology and Water Collaborative Programs

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Applied Science (MASc) Chemical Engineering

Admission Requirements for those collaborative programs in Nanotechnology and Water are the same as those for MASc and PhD in Chemical Engineering. For detailed information, please visit the engineering collaborative program page.


Admission Requirements

Find the Chemical Engineering admission requirements on the Graduate Studies and postdoctoral affairs (GSPA) Academic Calendar and start to prepare the application documents to give enough time to upload them by the deadline date.  

All you need to know about applying to:

Fees, Scholarships and Awards

Budgeting is ones of the most important factors when it comes to planning your graduate studies. Find out about tuition and budget, and the CHE funding and scholarship opportunities. ​

Research-based students have minimum guaranteed funding. Course-based students are expected to be self-funded. ​

Visit the Funding, Scholarships and Awards page with full description and details. 

CHE Staff Contact Information

1. Manager Graduate Studies

I can help you with:

  •  finding a supervisor  answering any questions related to admissions and funding
  • support for all grad students regarding successful degree completion

Judy Caron, chegradm@uwaterloo.ca

Location: E6 3028

2. Graduate studies and Administrative Coodinator

I can help you with:

  • answering any questions related to our MEng and MEng co-op program
  • support for all MEng students regarding successful degree completion

Ellen Zhiyu Gong, Meng.chemicalengineering@uwaterloo.ca

Location: E6 3034