Architecture Degree

Students in the Architecture studio at Waterloo work on drawings

Create the blueprints for a great career

In one of North America’s top schools of architecture, you’ll get a broad education that covers everything from building materials and construction techniques to cultural history, social context, green architecture, and more. Not to mention you'll combine it all with paid co-op work experience.

However, the core of this pre-professional program is design courses, starting right in year one. You’ll get your own dedicated space in our studio where you’ll develop your ideas and skills through a series of hands-on projects.

Learn about society and culture, the principles of physics, materials and techniques of construction, human interaction with the natural and built environment, critical thought, and the diverse forms of creative expression.

The School of Architecture is a beautiful historic building in the city of Cambridge, about 30 km (usually a 45-minute drive) from Waterloo's main campus. The campus in Cambridge is complete with studios, labs, exhibition galleries, and a world-class design library.

What courses will you take in Architecture?

First-year courses

During your first year, you'll take a mix of design, communication, and building courses. In upper years, most of the classes you'll take will be Architecture courses covering topics such as design, visual and digital media, cultural history and theory, technology and environment, and urbanism and landscape. 

September to December

  • ARCH 192 – Design Studio
  • ARCH 110 – Visual and Digital Media 1
  • ARCH 120 – An Introduction to Architectural Ideas and Communications
  • ARCH 142 – Introduction to Cultural History
  • ARCH 172 – Building Construction 1

January to April

Sample upper-year courses

ARCH 246 – Cultural Encounters 600-1600
ARCH 327 – Architecture of the Urban Environment
ARCH 212 – Digital Fabrication
ARCH 442 – Contemporary Architectural Theory

Discover Architecture at Waterloo

Remote video URL

Faculty:
School of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering

Degree:
Bachelor of Architectural Studies

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
No

Available as a minor?
No

Kick-start your career as an architect. Join the only school of architecture in the world where you’ll get two years of paid co-op work experience in Canada and abroad.

Study in Rome. The Coliseum is calling! You’ll spend the fall of your fourth year at our studio in Rome, one of the world's great cities for culture and architecture.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Co-op Study
Third Co-op Study Co-op
Fourth Study Co-op Co-op
Fifth Study Co-op Study

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in architecture?

Graduates commonly pursue careers in architecture, design, consulting, and project management. They often work in architectural firms, construction and design firms, engineering and manufacturing companies, and more.

Recent graduates

  • Associate Architect — Altius Architecture
  • Project Manager — Millworks Manufacturing
  • Architectural Design — Whiting Design
  • Urban Designer — Stantec Architecture
  • Product Designer — Facebook
  • Architectural Assistant — Stantec Architecture
  • Intern Architect — Levitt Goodman Architects

Learn about the future of careers in engineering.

Tuition fees for Architecture

First-year tuition

Type of fees Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents) $13,000
Domestic (Out of province students) $14,000
International (visa students) $73,000

­

  • Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
  • Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

Common questions about Architecture

How does the program relate to Architectural Engineering?

If you're strong in artistic and creative abilities and have a background in math and science, Architecture is for you. You'll focus on design that applies social and cultural aspects as well as science and engineering to construction projects, ranging from accessible public space to environmental approaches to sustainable building and landscape and urban design.

Architectural Engineering is closer to Civil Engineering than it is to Architecture. You'll cover mechanics, structural analysis, structural design, and in the first two years, a lot of math.

You'll learn about the science and engineering behind good building design — not just the structural aspects, but also energy efficiency, sustainable building design, and smart/green building design.

Is the program accredited?

To become a licensed architect, one of the requirements is to possess a professional degree in architecture from an accredited program. Waterloo's Master of Architecture program is fully accredited through the Canadian Architectural Certification Board.

Waterloo's pre-professional Architecture (leading to a Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree) and the professional Master of Architecture provides a fully accredited professional education.

Architecture admission requirements

Ontario students

Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

  • English (ENG4U) (A minimum final grade of 75% is required)
  • Advanced Functions (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Calculus and Vectors (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
  • Physics (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Recommended: Grade 11 or 12 art courses, independent art studies, creative and cultural studies such as visual arts and history

Admission average: Individual selection from the mid-80s

Selected students will be invited to submit a portfolio of creative work and to complete an English précis-writing exercise as part of the application process.

Not studying in Ontario?

Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply directly to this program on your application.

Join our newsletter for tips such as choosing a program, life at Waterloo, and finances.

Learn more

Visit our Architecture program website.