Next steps for joint academic program undergraduate students

Congratulations and welcome to the University of Waterloo!

Waterloo students happily chatting on campus on sunny Fall day.

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 2024 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.

Submitting final documents

Before September 4, 2024, 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 10, 2024 and ends on August 23, 2024. The program is offered by Renison University College, located at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo campus.

Orientation sessions will be held July 10 – 12, 2024. In person classes will begin July 15, 2024. 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 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

We have reserved a place for you in an on-campus residence while completing iEFAS. You may move into residence between July 9 – 11, 2024. The move-out date is August 24, 2024.

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, 2024, or by noon Beijing Time on June 1, 2024. If fees are not submitted by this date, we cannot guarantee your place in the program.

Item Cost

Summer Intensive English for Academic Success program fees (includes tuition, registration and University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) coverage)

$3,596 CAD
Residence Fees & Meal Plan $2,530 CAD

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: Students who do not receive their Canadian visa or study permit will be eligible for a program refund. Your program payment includes a $500 CAD non-refundable deposit. You must give written notice and proof of visa/study permit denial to eli@uwaterloo.ca with your intent to cancel your registration. If you cancel your registration by the first day of the program (July 10, 2024), you will be eligible to receive the amount you paid to Renison, less this $500 fee and any applicable banking fees. After this date, refunds will not be issued.

Please note that 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.

Fall and winter tuition

Fall tuition fees are due on August 2024.

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

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.

Program Advisor
Economics, Mathematical Economics Ryan George
Social Development Studies Jennifer Andrews-Coffey
Geomatics, Geography and Environment Management Sophie Dallaire
Environment and Business Cheri Oestreich
French Elise Lepage
Science Meiling Wu

Further questions?

For questions relating to the iEFAS program, please contact eli@uwaterloo.ca. You can also contact Ryan Connell, Renison's Assistant Director, Student Experience & Housing, via WeChat (WeChat ID: RyanConnell) with questions.

For all other program questions, please contact registrar.jointacademic@uwaterloo.ca. Please include your full name and Waterloo student ID number in your emails.

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