Pathway to Engineering Education

Engineers are recognized by employers, peers, and society alike for their character, ethics, and quality of work. Those who earn and maintain the title adhere to the highest technical, professional, and ethical standards, and they do work that makes a difference in society. Their ability to solve complex problems benefits people everywhere 

Engineers Canada

Why we are interested in Veterans, Reservists and other Military Connected Learners

Your military experience aligns strongly with engineering success:

- Maturity, work, and lived experience

- Leadership and professionalism

- Team‑based problem solving

- Hands‑on technical training

- Experience with tools and technology

- Strong communication skills

- Discipline, resilience, and grit

How engineering education works at the University of Waterloo

UW offers 14 engineering programs. Students achieve a 4-year engineering degree and up to 2 years of professional experience through UW’s unique co-op program, in which 4-month academic terms are interspersed with paid 4-month paid co-op/work placements. 

Typical work-study plan

Year

Fall (Sept-Dec)

Winter (Jan – Apr)

Spring (May-Aug)

1st

Study (1A)

Co-op 1

Study (1B)

2nd

Co-op 2

Study (2A)

Co-op 3

3rd

Study (2B)

Co-op 4

Study (3A)

4th

Co-op 5

Study (3B)

Co-op 6

5th

Study (4A)

Study (4B)

-

Paid Co-op (work) Placements

UW engineering students gain up to 2 years of work experience in through 4-month co-op placements. Through these placements you will explore careers, earn money, and gain experience through the world's leading co-op (paid internship) program. Co-op placements can be in small, medium or large companies, government organizations, or in research. Explore how your degree can be used in different industries. Student can seek placements at locations across Canada and internationally. UW connects you with over 8000 employers. Learn more.

Getting Started - Choose a program

                Your military experience and training have prepared you well for success in many engineering disciplines. Finding the right program can be challenging. Below we provide some suggestions on how to get started.

Choose a program based on military experience and training

Table 1 Examples of mapping of Military Career to Engineering programs. Note that the mapping is not one-to-one, as military occupations often intersect with multiple engineering disciplines. This table is not exhaustive.

Military Occupation/Training

Engineering Program

Combat Engineer, Construction

Civil, Geological, Architectural

Meteorological, Water, Fuels and Environment Technician

Environmental

Naval Electronic Sensor & Cyber Operators, Signals Officer

Electrical and Computer

Aviation Systems, Materials, Air Weapons Engineering Technician

Mechanical, Civil

Ammunition Technician

Chemical

Biomedical Electronics Technologist, Combat Medic

Biomedical

Logistic Officer, Intelligence Operator/Officer

Management Science

Other

Nanotechnology, Software
Other Systems Design

Choose a program based on other skills and interests

Do your own research. Read about each program can help to determine which one fits your interests and career objectives. Below are links to all 14 of the engineering programs at UW. 

Building your foundation

Engineering programs require applicants complete four Grade12 (4U) prerequisite courses

  • Advanced Functions 4U
  • Calculus and Vectors 4U
  • Chemistry 4U
  • Physics 4U

These courses must be completed in the last 3 years prior to the start of your program, as our experience suggests that students benefit greatly from refreshing their knowledge. This requirement can be waived via our PLAR process, if you used this knowledge as part of your military career.

Mathematics and science prerequisites can be completed/refreshed online.

Engineering programs also require applicants to complete Grade12 (4U) English or equivalent for admission. U4 English can also be completed online; however, U4 English does not need to have been completed in the last 3 years.

If your military career provided equivalent experience and training to Grade12 (4U) English or other high school prerequisites, you can apply for recognition via PLAR. As a military-connected learner, you will apply through our special process for Adult Learners, which includes a PLAR mechanism.

Get recognition for Military Experience and Training

Admission to UW engineering is competitive. While grades are important, UW engineering also values relevant military experience and training.

  • Additional Information Form: Each engineering applicant is asked to answer a number of questions. Highlight your military experiences here.
  • Supplemental Information Form: Highlight your military experiences in these program-specific responses. 
  • Video Interview: Each engineering applicant must complete a video interview. Responses given are factored into admission decisions.
  • A request  special consideration: This is the mechanism by which Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is conducted.

Other ways military experience and training is recognized.

  • No high school diploma requirement for MCL, so long as the Grade 12 English, Mathematics and Science prerequisites are met. 
  • MCL require 5 (U4) courses for admission, instead of 6 courses for direct entry after high school.

Certain military career experiences and training may qualify for equivalency to high school prerequisites needed for admission. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis via a request for  special consideration

After admission to a program, your military experience may qualify you for advance standing in some program requirements, such as 2-3 non-technical electives or up to 4 Professional Development Courses.

Learn more about the application process

Application deadlines for the September 2027 start date have not been formally announced; however, an early January 2027 deadline may be expected.

The application process is described in detail here      

The following tasks need to be completed:

  1. Complete an application through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).
  2. Register for the Waterloo applicant portal, submit any required application documents such as transcripts, the Additional Information Form (AIF), and the Supplemental Information Form (SIF).
  3. Request special consideration as an Adult Learner. Submit additional documentation such as Military Personnel Resume Report (MPRR) for PLAR.

Visiting University of Waterloo Campus

The Faculty of Engineering offers 90-minute tours on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday each week, at 10:00 am. Tours must be booked in advance using this link. 

Getting Help

If you have questions, please reach out for a conversation. 

Dr. Robert Gracie,

Faculty of Engineering,

rgracie@uwaterloo.ca

Looking for more information?

Q & A

  • What type of recognition can I request for  special consideration?
    • Recognition of equivalent knowledge based on military experience for one or more high-school prerequisites (English, Mathematics, Sciences).
    • Recognition of current knowledge based on military experience by waiving requirement to retake high school mathematics and science prerequisites completed more than 3 years prior to the start of your program.
  • How can I pay for my education?
    • Living expenses vary greatly between students depending on living arrangements, number of dependents, etc. For many students, the earnings from one co-op placement (see pay statistics) covers a large portion of living and tuition expenses for the next term. In addition, veterans can access between $40,000 and $80,000 from their Education and Training Benefit.