Frequently Asked Questions

You must meet all of the Faculty of Engineering criteria, in particular you must have a minimum 70% overall average, with emphasis on the last two terms before the exchange.

View the list of current exchange partner institutions. Click on the Search Program button (top left next to Welcome) then filter by faculty. 

This is the minimum acceptable average for participation in an engineering exchange program. Unless there are major extenuating circumstances, such as personal illness, you will not be permitted to go on exchange. The final decision, ultimately, rests with your Undergraduate Officer and the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering.

Normally, this is not possible but, in some programs it may be allowed. Check with your Undergraduate Advisor for further guidance.

It is felt that you would not have enough course work to form a solid foundation for study elsewhere. So students are encouraged to participate in 3A, 3B, and/or 4A, depending on UW course requirements. It is best to check with your Undergraduate Officer or Advisor about the best term to go on exchange.

All Waterloo students must apply through Waterloo Passport so it's best to check out the application process at Go Abroad. In addition, many partner schools have their own forms which need to be complet.  The Global Learning Coordinators in the Student Success Office will advise what needs to be done when.

There are a number of awards available through the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office for students participating in exchanges.

Most exchanges are academic only with a very small number having work terms attached.

Co-op students have access to WaterlooWorks while on exchange. Note: some restrictions may apply.

To participate in a non-English speaking exchange, you must have a minimum of 3 university-level courses in the language, if you have no previous knowledge. If you have some previous experience with the language (French or German or Spanish, etc.), then you would normally need to have a minimum of 2 university-level courses, or equivalent.

Normally, 3A, 3B and/or 4A.

You would apply a full year (and sometimes more) before your anticipated departure date. For example, if you want to go on exchange in Fall 2022 and/or Winter/Spring 2023, your application must be complete and submitted in Waterloo Passport by November 1, 2021 (to be considered in the first round of matching).

It's best to check with the Waterloo Engineering Society.

It's best to check with Cooperative Education and Professional Affairs in the Engineering Undergraduate Office.

This is your Waterloo student identification card. Check out Watcard for more information including instructions for new students.  Also be sure to refer to Come to Waterloo for all the information you'll need before coming to Waterloo.

You must take a minimum of 3 undergraduate courses (at .5 credits each for a total of 1.5 credits) to maintain your full-time status, with a maximum of 5 courses (or the equivalent of 2.5 credits).

Exchange students cannot self-enroll into courses but instead must do so by emailing your course requests directly to the Engineering Exchange Administrative Coordinator.

Normally, you are permitted to take courses in any faculty at Waterloo, depending on course availability and enrolment limits.  However, be sure to refer to the list of courses not open to exchange students.

There are restrictions on some courses where demand is quite high, for example Computer Science. Or some courses may only be available to degree-seeking students, such as PD (Professional Development).  As an exchange student at Waterloo, you are considered "non-degree" as you are not seeking a degree from Waterloo but rather taking courses which, hopefully, will count toward the degree at your home institutiion.

Week 1 and 2 of every term is known as the "drop/add" period, meaning you may ADD new courses and DROP those you do not wish to take.

You must ADD courses by the end of week 2; and DROP others by the end of week 3.

However, if you wish to DROP a course in weeks 4 to 8, you will be withdrawn from the course but it will still appear on your transcript with a mark of WD (withdrawn); and, from the beginning of week 9 until the start of final exams, a WF (withdrawn/failed) will appear on your transcript.

Once final exams begin, you may NOT drop any courses.

But remember:  any course changes must be processed either in-person or by email by the Engineering Exchange Administrative Coordinator.

Visit the Come to Waterloo page for final transcript information.

The Engineering Exchange Administrative Coordinator will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

You'll need to contact the Global Learning Coordinators at the Student Success Office.