Collaborative programs

Solve complex problems from multiple perspectives and explore graduate programs that connect disciplines, foster collaboration, and advance research with real‑world relevance.

Some of today’s most pressing challenges demand collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and perspectives. Waterloo’s collaborative graduate programs are designed to meet this need, connecting students with leading researchers, diverse course offerings, and rich networks of partners across the university and beyond. Whether your focus is health, technology, science, or emerging fields, you’ll develop the cross‑disciplinary skills and expertise needed to advance your research and amplify its impact.

Aeronautics

The big challenges facing the future of the aviation, aerospace, and space sectors will require collaborative solutions. No single institution or field of study can address these issues alone. We must equip future leaders, experts in their chosen academic disciplines, with the aeronautical training to apply their research towards impactful solutions.

Supported by academic units from all 6 faculties at the University of Waterloo, and the rich industry and government network of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics, the Collaborative Aeronautics Program (CAP) is an entirely new approach to Master’s and Doctoral studies in aeronautics.

Learn more about the Collaborative Aeronautics program →

Master's programs

PhD programs

Aging, Health and Well-Being

The first collaborative PhD program in Canada with a focus on aging, health and well-being, it provides opportunities for cross-departmental collaborations, access to diverse course offerings and resources including dissertation committee members who can add unique perspectives in addressing emerging research problems.

Learn more about the Collaborative Aging, Health and Well-being program →

PhD programs

Health Technologies

The healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation with innovations like artificial intelligence, telemedicine, wearable devices, and data analytics. This program will equip you with the skills to leverage and drive these advancements.

As the need for professionals who understand both healthcare and technology grows, our graduates will bridge this gap and create holistic solutions for complex healthcare challenges.

You'll learn to work with healthcare professionals, engineers, data scientists, ethicists, and policymakers, fostering a diverse and comprehensive approach to problem-solving to leverage and drive these advancements.

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Master's programs

Nanotechnology

New and faster kinds of computers, more efficient power sources and life-saving medical treatments are only a few of the examples of leading-edge changes possible through graduate studies and research in Nanotechnology.

Expert nanotechnology instructors from the Faculties of Science and Engineering impart their knowledge and expertise in engaging classes in state-of-the-art facilities.

Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology’s excellent facilities, programs and researchers allow access to, and participation in, cutting-edge technological developments.

Two faculties and six departments provide an opportunity for you to make your mark through academia and research, by enroling in one of Waterloo’s Collaborative Nanotechnology Graduate Programs.

Learn more about the Collaborative Nanotechnology program →

Master's programs

PhD programs

Quantum Information

In collaboration with the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC), this program offers unique opportunities to engage in world-leading research in quantum information. Along with developing expertise in your area of research in physics, you’ll receive a strong and broad foundation in quantum information science through a wide range of advanced research projects and advanced courses on the foundations, applications and implementation of quantum information processing.

Learn more about the Collaborative Quantum Information program →

Master's programs

PhD programs

Water

Co-delivered by 11 departments and schools from across all 6 faculties, the Collaborative Water Program is the most interdisciplinary water graduate program in Canada, training the next generation of leaders.

The Collaborative Water program is training the next generation of water leaders by focusing on the thinking, knowledge and skills required to navigate complex water challenges in a fast-changing water world. Collaborative Water Program students with diverse disciplinary backgrounds develop the cognitive, self-efficacy, management, technological and collaborative skills sought after by employers.

Learn more about the Collaborative Water program →