Next steps for joint academic program undergraduate students

Congratulations and welcome to the University of Waterloo!

We've enjoyed getting to know you through the admissions process and we're confident that you'll be successful at Waterloo! Please read the details below carefully so that you do not miss any deadlines!

Please stay informed and view the latest important dates for the upcoming fall 2025 term.

Two-factor authentication

To ensure the safety of students' online accounts, the University uses two-factor authentication (2FA). You'll need to use 2FA to access Learn, Quest, email, and other key Waterloo sites once you become a Waterloo student.

• General information about Waterloo's 2FA.
• Set up your 2FA access using your Waterloo userid and password.

Submitting final documents

Before September 2025, you must submit a translated official final transcript and the original Chinese version to Waterloo's Office of the Registrar. The transcripts should include all courses and grades and be sent directly from your home university. Any delay will affect your registration and course selection at Waterloo.

Applying for a study permit

To study in Canada, you will need to have a valid study permit. To avoid processing delays, we strongly advise you to start your study permit application process immediately.

Please visit the Student Success Office’s webpage for instructions and a video on how to apply for your initial study permit.

Need help? You can contact Waterloo’s Immigration Consultants at the Student Success Office.

Summer Intensive English for Academic Success (iEFAS)

The intensive English for Academic Success (iEFAS) program begins on July 14, 2025 and ends on August 22. The program is offered by Renison University College, located at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo campus.

Orientation sessions will be held on July 14, 2025. In person classes will begin on July 15, 2025. These classes will help you improve your language and academic skills in order to be successful in your University of Waterloo studies. The iEFAS program offers 20+ hours a week of English language programming. You can expect to be in class Monday to Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.

We have reserved a place for you in an on-campus residence while completing iEFAS. You may move into residence on July 12 or 13, 2025. The move-out date is August 23, 2025.

In order to reserve your place in the iEFAS program, your full iEFAS program fees must be submitted to Renison University College by May 31, 2025, or by noon Beijing Time on June 1, 2025. If fees are not submitted by this date, we cannot guarantee your place in the program.

Payment options: iEFAS program fees must be paid to Renison University College, not the University of Waterloo. The preferred method of payment is Convera GlobalPay for Students. to make your payment by Convera GlobalPay, please go to Renison's Convera GlobalPay platform. Please allow 14 days for your international payment to arrive.

Renison University College does not encourage or support sending your international payment using a third-party payment service other than Convera GlobalPay. If you choose to use an unauthorized payment service, Renison University College is not responsible for any issues you may experience, such as:

• a delay in the arrival of the payment
• a delay in the issuing of your receipt
• tracking the payment
• refunding the payment

For a full list of payment options, please visit the English Language Institute web page. If you have any questions about payment for the iEFAS program or receipts of payments, please email us.

Program refund: iEFAS fees include a $200 CAD non-refundable administrative fee and a $500 CAD non-refundable residence deposit. Students who do not receive their Canadian visa or study permit may be eligible for a refund, less the amount of these two deposits ($200 non-refundable administrative fee and $500 non-refundable residence deposit) and any applicable banking fees. 

To be eligible for a refund, you must provide written notice of your intent to cancel your program registration, along with proof of visa/study permit denial to eli@uwaterloo.ca , before the first day of the program, July 14, 2025. After this date, refunds will not be granted.

NOTE: iEFAS program refunds for eligible students are processed in September.

Fall and winter housing

For your upcoming fall (September – December) and winter (January – April) terms, you'll need to arrange housing on campus. If you are interested in living on-campus, please submit one of the following applications before June 10, 2025.

• If you're interested in living on campus at Renison University College, please complete the online application form. If you have questions, contact the Renison Student Experience and Housing team.
• If you're interested in living on campus in Campus Housing, please email the Campus Housing office for further details about on-campus housing as well as off-campus housing resources.

Fall and winter tuition

Fall tuition fees are due in August 2025.

Payment options: For information on arranging to pay your tuition fees, please visit the Student Financial Services web page. The total amount includes the incidental fees, which include the Supplemental Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP), and University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). In addition to the above total fees, you will spend approximately $1,000 - $1,500 CAD for books and supplies during your first two terms.

Once your payment arrives, log in to your Quest account to create an official tuition receipt:

• Click on the "Admissions" tile, then click on "My Account", then "Account Inquiry", and then on the term.
• Scroll to the bottom of the Account Summary page and click on the yellow button labelled "Email my bill".
• Type your email address in the box and click "SEND". You will receive an email with a PDF receipt attached.
• Your receipt will reflect the current open term at University of Waterloo, not necessarily the term your program begins.

Important dates and registering for fall courses

Refer to our Information for joint academic program undergraduate applicants page for a list of important dates.

You will register for your University of Waterloo fall classes after you pass the iEFAS program. To assist you with selecting the appropriate courses, it is important that you meet with your academic advisor as soon as you arrive in July. Please ensure you book an appointment with the advisor for your program.

Further questions?

Connect and learn more about services for international students

• Renison Conversation Partner Program – Each term, you will be able to register to receive a conversation partner that you meet with for 1-2 hours each week to practise your conversational English.
  Renison events and workshops – Renison University College hosts many events and workshops for all University of Waterloo students that you can attend to make friends, build skills, and improve your English. 
• Immigration consulting – At any time during your studies at Waterloo, you may book a same day appointment with any of Waterloo's Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC). All consultations are free and confidential
• International student resources – Information, programs, and services for adapting to life in Canada and Waterloo
• International Peer Community – Current international students can help you adjust to life in Canada
• English speaking and writing practice – Practise speaking and writing in English in a friendly and supportive on-campus or online environment
• International and Canadian Student Network – A student-run service that organizes events to help local and international students feel welcome