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 invited to participate in an online or in-person interview and to submit a portfolio of creative work.
- Note: Students applying for September 2026 will not be required to complete the English précis test.
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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