2021 fall term update

This message was originally sent to new undergraduate students by Feridun, Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor.

You might be wondering: what will my campus experience look like in the fall?  

As Canada rolls out more vaccines, we are planning for more in-person learning, work, and research starting this fall. We are optimistic that activity can happen in person with a staged and strategic return to campus. Our plan will be flexible so we can tackle unexpected challenges and keep your health and wellbeing our priority. 

Though in-person learning will increase, we know many students will continue to attend virtual classes. Specific details about each program are being finalized, and you may hear more from the faculty you applied to in the coming days and weeks. 

What we know as of May 17, 2021: 

• We are planning to  offer as many in-person classes as possible  with the required physical distancing and gathering-size restrictions to maintain safety. Using expected public health guidelines for the fall, classrooms will be scheduled at 50% of normal classroom capacity. 

• Because we can’t confirm what public health restrictions will be in place in the fall, we will be prepared to  reduce in-person delivery as necessary  to meet any alternate restrictions around physical distancing, gathering size, and safety. 

• While we are planning to offer as many in-person classes as possible, we will work with  students who are unable to come to campus to learn  in the fall to explore best options to begin your studies.

• Fall-term courses are intended to finish the way they start. If a course starts online, it will remain online until the end of term and will not transition to in-person. If a course starts in person, it will remain in person unless public health requirements necessitate a move to online.

• Our residences will be open to students and include residence life programming, academic support, and food services. Incoming first-year students who submit their Residence Community Ranking Form and $500 non-refundable deposit by June 1 will be a part of the 100% Residence Guarantee.

• In addition to on-campus academic experiences, we will offer in-person activities and support including access to the student service centre, Health Services, Counselling Services, food services, student clubs, and athletics and recreational activities.

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  At this time, the provincial shutdown  does not impact the arrival of  international students,  although a 14-day quarantine and COVID-19 test remain mandatory. You can still apply for your study permit if you missed the May 15 government deadline. View our  International Student Guide  for more information and resources. 

Fall 2021 course registration

Fall course registration dates have been announced. Our faculties are working to finalize which classes will be offered in person, which classes will be online, and which classes will offer blended learning scenarios (a combination of in-person and online delivery).  

You can now see the details of  every faculty’s plan for courses this  fall. We've also updated the  New Student FAQs to give you more specifics.  If you’d like to confirm which faculty your program belongs to, please refer to your Offer of Admission in Quest. 

Our priorities are ensuring that you stay safe and helping you start your university journey with Waterloo successfully. We will follow direction from all levels of government to ensure we can resume operations safely and we will continue adapting and evolving to ensure that you get the high-quality Waterloo education that you expect.

Stay well and stay informed

Visit the University’s  Coronavirus Information website  for the latest COVID-19 updates and news including any changes to the status of classes and resources for the fall term.