Architecture admission requirements for Ontario high school students
Program requirements
- English 4U (ENG4U) -- A minimum grade of 75 is required
- Advanced Functions 4U -- A minimum grade of 70 is required
- Calculus and Vectors 4U -- A minimum grade of 70 is required
- Physics 4U -- A minimum grade of 70 is required
Admission average
- Individual selection from the mid-80s.
- Selected applicants will be asked to participate in an interview or video presentation and to submit a portfolio of creative work.
- Note: The English précis will not be used for students who are applying to start in September 2026.
Recommended high school courses
The following courses can be helpful background for your studies; however, it will not impact your likelihood of admission if you do not take these courses.
- Grade 11 or 12 M Art courses
- independent art studies
- creative and cultural studies such as visual arts and history
General requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of six Grade 12 U or M courses, including all required courses.
- Grade 12 U or M courses must be completed through schools that are accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
- Admission averages depend on the number of applications received and the number of spaces available. The range listed above is based on previous years.
Notes
- We recommend that you take senior-level visual arts courses, independent art studies, and creative and cultural studies such as visual arts and history.
- In some cases invitations for interviews are based on final Grade 11 marks. See the Architecture website for further details about the application process.
- The Admission Information Form is not required for admission.
- The School of Architecture is located in a beautiful historic building in the city of Cambridge, about 30 km (45 minutes or so by car) from Waterloo's main campus.
- If your first language is not English, you may need to meet our English language requirements.
- Required courses completed more than three or four years ago may need to be updated. Email the admissions office for more information.
Next steps
- Learn about courses, co-op, and customizing your degree in the Architecture program
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