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Applying

Before you apply

Before starting your application to the University of Waterloo, ensure you meet the admission requirements for your desired program. These requirements vary depending on your academic background, the program you're applying to, and additional factors such as required courses or supplemental documents.

How to apply

All applicants must apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). Visit our Undergraduate Admissions website for more info about how to apply and important dates. Check out the video series below for the most frequently asked application questions. 

Steps in applying

  1. Review Waterloo's admission requirements for your program(s) of interest.
  2. Review the OUAC's Undergraduate Application Guide, create an account, and submit your application on the OUAC website.
    • To apply to a co-op program, check the co-op box on your application.
    • Be sure to apply by our application deadline.
  3. Within two weeks of receiving your information from the OUAC, we'll email you with your Waterloo student number and the next steps in the application process.

Tip: The OUAC offers videos on how to complete your application.

Questions and Tips

How to Apply

Important dates

Applying to university is an exciting step – one that can take several months. Here's an overview of key dates in Waterloo's application process.

Important dates

How do I submit my high school and post-secondary transcripts to Waterloo?

How do I submit my high school and post-secondary transcripts to Waterloo?

If you're a full-time high school student in Ontario and British Columbia, your marks will be sent to us automatically. All other applicants should submit high school and college/university transcripts (if applicable) by late February. You can send transcripts to:

Office of the Registrar
Needles Hall
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo ON N2L 3G1
Canada
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Should I apply to the co-op or regular system of study for programs?

If a program offers both co-op and regular systems of study, you should apply for the co-op system. If you are not admitted to co-op, you will automatically be considered for the regular system of study. However, note that certain programs, such as Planning and Environment and Business (ENBUS), are offered exclusively through co-op.

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Contact us if you have any questions.

Transcripts

If you're a full-time high school student in Ontario and British Columbia, your marks will be sent to us automatically. All other applicants should submit high school and college/university transcripts (if applicable) by late February. You can send transcripts to:

Office of the Registrar
Needles Hall
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo ON N2L 3G1
Canada

Applying to co-op and regular

If you are interested in a program that offers both the co-op and the regular systems of study, then apply for the co-op. If you are not admitted to co-op, you will automatically be considered for admission to the regular system of study, except in Planning and Environment and Business (ENBUS) which is offered only through co-op.

Transfer students

For Environment and Business (ENBUS), Environment, Resources and Sustainability (ERS), and Planning, you can generally transfer up to a year's worth of university-level courses.

For Geography and Environmental Management (GEM), you can usually transfer up to 2 years worth of credits towards an honours degree.

Two years of community college courses generally count as a year's worth of university credit.

Please note that transfer credits are assessed and awarded only after you have been admitted to the University of Waterloo.