Power the future
Our modern world is built on electricity. Learn to harness its power to create the next generation of electronics, sensors, and information networks. Your career will be super-charged by a degree from Waterloo. We're ranked 18th in the world for electrical engineering (Academic Rankings of World Universities 2023).
You’ll study the fundamentals of electromagnetism, circuits, algorithms, and instrumentation. You will be able to specialize in a range of technologies such as power generation and clean energy, electric vehicles, Internet of Things, quantum computing, integrated circuit design, and machine learning.
You'll also gain hands-on experience starting right in first year, thanks to paid co-op work terms and some of the best student labs in North America.
When you graduate, you’ll have hundreds of career paths open to you, from designing power stations and aircraft control systems to pioneering the future of microprocessors and telecommunications systems.
Program highlights
Energize the world. Learn to design, create, and integrate more efficient and reliable technologies, like wind turbines, GPS devices, hybrid cars, communication systems, and other circuits and systems.
Smart power. With one of the largest power energy research groups in North America, Waterloo is home to leading experts in photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and smart grids.
Why Waterloo Engineering?
With its renowned co-op program and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem, Waterloo Engineering is one of the world’s top engineering schools. You'll have access to emerging technologies, innovative professors, and world-class facilities.
What will you learn?
During your first year, you'll take a mix of electrical and computer engineering, math, and communication courses. In upper years, most of the classes you'll take will be Electrical Engineering courses.
Learn more about the classes you'll take for your Electrical Engineering degree.
Get tips from Waterloo students
Join our monthly newsletter for tips such as choosing a university program, life at Waterloo, and finances.
Questions? Ask a student!
Ask a Faculty of Engineering student about their program, classes, getting involved on campus, and more!
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!
Sample co-op job titles
- PCB hardware designer
- Electrical engineering sensor developer
- Hardware design engineer
- Artificial intelligence undergraduate researcher
- Test systems engineering
- Electrical engineer intern
- Hardware designer
- Junior designer - electrical
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in first 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.
Your first work term will be halfway through first year (January to April 2025).
Year |
September to December (Fall) |
January to April (Winter) |
May to August (Spring) |
---|
First |
Study |
Co-op |
Study |
---|
Second |
Co-op |
Study |
Co-op |
---|
Third |
Study |
Co-op |
Study |
---|
Fourth |
Co-op |
Study |
Co-op |
---|
Fifth |
Study |
Study |
- |
---|
or after first year (May to August 2025).
Year |
September to December (Fall) |
January to April (Winter) |
May to August (Spring) |
---|
First |
Study |
Study |
Co-op |
---|
Second |
Study |
Co-op |
Study |
---|
Third |
Co-op |
Study |
Co-op |
---|
Fourth |
Study |
Co-op |
Study |
---|
Fifth |
Co-op |
Study |
- |
---|
There are two options for co-op sequences. You can request your preference if you receive an offer of admission.
Learn more about co-op →
What can you do with a degree in Electrical Engineering?
Waterloo Electrical Engineering graduates often pursue careers in software development, manufacturing, telecommunications, aerospace, and more. They often work for engineering firms, technology companies, and manufacturing companies.
Recent graduates
- Hardware Engineer – Intel
- Electrical Designer – Mulvey & Banani International
- Business Technology Analyst – Deloitte
- Programmer – Kubra Data Transfer
- Software Engineer – Dropbox
- Application Specialist – Ceridian
- Engineering Product Management – IBM Canada
Possible professional designation
Learn about the future of careers in engineering.
Student life, including Women in Engineering
Student design teams
Have fun and develop hands-on experience through one or more of our 25+ student-led design teams! Design teams include rocketry, concrete canoe, robotics, solar car, submarine racing, autonomous vehicle, Space X Hyperloop, Engineers Without Borders, and more.
You’ll meet people with similar interests and goals, benefit from networking with experts in the engineering profession, and develop some great skills for your résumé.
Engineering Society (EngSoc)
EngSoc is run by students for students and provides many social and academic events and services to make your experience as a Waterloo Engineering student the best it can be.
Benefit from mentoring for first-year students or get involved and meet other students through an annual conference, semiformal, career fair, charity events, community outreach, and much more!
Campus-wide activities
Our campus is packed with opportunities to get involved – no matter how unique your interests. Between our 200+ student-run clubs, sports and recreation opportunities, student government, and events, student life at Waterloo has something for everyone.
"I love the breadth and depth of content... everything from physics to CPU design! Going through the program as a class is awesome, it creates a tight-knit family among classmates which you can rely on for help - academically and personally."Kunal, second-year Electrical Engineering student
Electrical Engineering admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Admission averages: Individual selection from the high 80s to low 90s
Previous experience in programming is recommended.
How to apply
Apply directly to this program on your application.