How to apply

You've explored our programs and now you're ready to apply.

Please follow the steps below as you prepare, submit, and review your application to graduate studies.

❗Important notice: Waterloo Graduate Studies is implementing a new application system.

What does this mean for our applicants?

If you submitted your application and paid the fee by the February 1 deadline but still need to submit your documents, you may continue to do so as per the instructions below. 

If you started but did not complete (submitted with the application fee paid) an application in our previous system by 11:59 pm on February 1, 2025 (Eastern Standard Time), you will need to complete a new one in our new application system once it is available in early March.

Currently, it is not possible to start a new application. However, many programs will continue to have their fall 2025 applications open when the new application system launches in early March - see list below.

Step 1.

Before you start your application

Please review the information below to help you during this process.

The University of Waterloo is committed to ensuring you can access, and meaningfully participate in, your education. At any point in the application process, or when you are a registered student, we encourage you to reach out to AccessAbility Services for advice, information, and support. Request for disability-based graduate admission accommodation (on the AccessAbility website).

Step 2.

Start your online application

Please note that our online application system is currently unavailable as we complete the upgrade to the new system.

If you completed an application (submitted with the application fee paid) by 11:59 pm on February 1, 2025 (Eastern Standard Time), you will still have access to Quest, our online student information system, to upload your application documents. See the next step for instructions.

Step 3.

Create your Waterloo student account (Quest)

  • One to two business days after you have completed the online application and the fee has been processed, you will receive an email from us with instructions for claiming your identity (user ID and password) to access Quest, the University of Waterloo’s student information system.
  • The email will include your 8-digit Waterloo student ID number. This is the ID number you will use for all Waterloo inquiries. Please note that your Quest user ID is different from your Waterloo student ID number.
  • Before you can log in to Quest, you will need to create your user ID and password by claiming your account in WatIAM, the University of Waterloo’s identity and access management system.
  • Once you have claimed (activated) your user ID and password, you will be able to log in to Quest.
  • You will use Quest to upload your application documents, update your contact information, view your admission decision and, if applicable, view/accept/decline your offer of admission. Visit the Quest Graduate applicants page for additional step-by-step instructions.

Step 4.

Upload your application documents to the University of Waterloo through Quest

  • Once you have accessed your Quest account, you can upload your application documents. To do so, log in to Quest, navigate to Admissions and select Documents in your Student Center.
  • You will see a list of the documents you need to upload and complete based on your program. 
  • Once you have uploaded all of your required documents, and your referees have completed their reference forms, your application is complete.
    • Your document status will change from “Initiated” to “Completed” under your documents list in Quest.

Programs with extended application deadlines

The following programs have extended their original February 1 application deadline and will re-open for fall 2025 admission when the new application system launches.

Extended for both domestic and international applicants

New deadline for international applicants (unless otherwise indicated): April 1, 2025

New deadline for domestic applicants (unless otherwise indicated): July 1, 2025

Extended for domestic applicants only

New deadline (unless otherwise indicated): July 1, 2025