Admission ranges change each year according to the academic qualifications of students who apply and the number of places available. Your application was also considered for alternate programs where possible.
We used all Grade 11 and 12 grades we had available to us (including required courses) when making our admission decisions. This ensured we had the best possible understanding of students’ academic achievements.
Admission decisions are final. We cannot accept additional grade information or re-evaluate applications after our final reviews have been made.
Faculty/program details
Listed below is additional information specific to each faculty/program. Not sure which faculty offers your program(s)? View a list of programs by faculty. If you have questions, please contact our admissions office at myapplication@uwaterloo.ca.
Accounting and Financial Management
The admissions process in Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) has been carefully developed to ensure integrity in the process and equity for all applicants. Two criteria (academic performance and the School of Accounting and Finance Admissions Assessment) are important and were considered when making admission decisions.
In addition to strong academic performance, the AFM admissions committee looks for examples of a student’s strengths in areas such as communications and teamwork, skills which are key to success as a professional accountant or financial expert.
Sustainability and Financial Management
The admissions process in Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) has been carefully developed to ensure integrity in the process and equity for all applicants. Two criteria (academic performance and the School of Accounting and Finance Admissions Assessment) are important and were considered when making admission decisions.
In addition to strong academic performance, the SFM admissions committee looks for examples of a student’s strengths in areas such as communications and teamwork, skills which are key to success as a professional accountant or financial expert.
Architecture
The Architecture program received a high volume of applications for a limited number of places. We spend a great deal of time reviewing applications and try to make admission decisions as fairly and carefully as possible.
Selection for admission to the Architecture program is based on a number of factors, beginning with an assessment of the Grade 11 and 12 academic marks to determine eligibility for an interview. The final admission decision was based on the interview, an assessment of the portfolio, and the English précis.
Students not admitted to Architecture may have been considered for an alternate offer of admission to the Planning program.
Computing and Financial Management
This year’s minimum admission average for Computing and Financial Management was in the mid-90s. There was a large number of applications from students with marks in that range.
The admissions committee used the Admissions Information Form extensively when they were making individual selections.
All applicants were reviewed individually and the following were the most significant factors considered.
- Admission average (which includes required courses)
- Admission Information Form
- Grade 12 Mathematics grade(s) and the Grade 12 English grade
Software Engineering
This year, we received over 2,000 applications for 125 first-year available spaces. All applications to the Software Engineering program were carefully reviewed and assessed by Engineering Admissions. If your application was not admissible to the Software Engineering program and you listed an alternate program choice, your application was considered for the alternate program.
Successful applicants most often had an admission average in the high 90s, significant software development experience, and demonstrated excellence in extracurricular activities. Additional information, including the Admission Information Form and the optional online interview, were used to make admission decisions. Due to the highly competitive application process, some truly outstanding applicants were unable to receive admission to the Software Engineering program this year.
Faculty of Arts
Admission decisions are based on high school averages, including meeting the minimum grades in required courses. The majority of students were admitted with a minimum overall average of at least 78% and the published minimum grade in required courses.
Honours Arts (Co-op) had a high number of applications this year. Some applicants may have received an alternate offer to Honours, Arts (Regular system of study).
Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) had an increased number of applications making admission to the program competitive.
Faculty of Engineering
This year, we received over 13,500 applications for 1,765 available first-year spaces. Competition often resulted in many difficult admission decisions. All applications were considered very carefully not only for the program to which you applied, but also for any alternate program choices indicated on the AIF.
Alternate program consideration
Every applicant has been given careful consideration and we have tried to be as fair as possible. Top applicants not admitted to their selected program were automatically considered for their alternate program choice when one was listed.
| Program | Minimum admission averages |
|---|---|
| Architectural Engineering |
High 80s with individual selection |
| Biomedical Engineering | Low 90s with individual selection |
| Chemical Engineering | High 80s with individual selection |
| Civil Engineering | Mid-80s |
| Computer Engineering | Low 90s with individual selection |
| Electrical Engineering | Low 90s with individual selection |
| Environmental Engineering | Mid-80s |
| Geological Engineering | Mid-80s |
| Management Engineering | Low 90s with individual selection |
| Mechanical Engineering | Low 90s with individual selection |
| Mechatronics Engineering | Low-90s with individual selection |
| Nanotechnology Engineering | Mid 80s |
| Systems Design Engineering | Low 90s with individual selection |
Individual selection applies to all Engineering programs. Individual selection had a very significant impact in Architectural, Biomedical, Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Management, Mechanical, Mechatronics, and Systems Design Engineering.
Individual selection means that extracurricular activities listed on the Admission Information Form and the optional online interview played a significant role for applicants with similar averages.
Faculty of Environment
Admission decisions are based on high school averages and meeting minimum grades in all required courses. The majority of students were admitted with a minimum overall average of at least 78% and the published minimum grade in required courses.
The Geography and Aviation program received a large number of applications for a limited number of spaces. Students not admitted to Geography and Aviation were automatically considered for admission to Geography and Environmental Management.
Faculty of Health
Admission decisions are based primarily on high school averages. The majority of students were admitted with a minimum overall average of at least 80% and the published minimum grade in required courses.
Competition was strong this year for both Health Sciences Co-op and Regular programs. Meeting the minimum grade requirements in individual courses did not guarantee a spot in the program. Students not admitted to the Health Sciences (Co-op) program may have been considered for alternate programs and these offers of admission have been sent.
Faculty of Mathematics
Admission averages were not the only factors in our decisions. The admissions committee used the Admission Information Form extensively when making individual selections.
This year, we received over 17,000 applications for 1,280 available spots. As usual, competition for spots was fierce which forced us to make many difficult decisions. Your application was considered very carefully not only for the program to which you applied, but for other possible program options.
For Computer Science, we received 7,800 applications for 300 available spots.
All applicants were reviewed individually. The following were the most significant factors considered.
- Admission average (which includes required courses)
- Admission Information Form score
- Grade 12 Mathematics grade(s)
| Program | Minimum admissions averages |
|---|---|
| Business Administration (Laurier) and Mathematics (Waterloo) double degree | High 80s |
| Business Administration (Laurier) and Computer Science (Waterloo) double degree | Mid-90s |
|
Mathematics/Chartered Professional Accountancy, co-op |
High 80s |
| Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management, co-op and regular | High 80s |
|
Mathematics/Business Administration, co-op and regular |
High 80s |
| Mathematics, co-op and regular | High 80s |
| Computer Science, co-op and regular | Mid-90s |
| Computing and Financial Management | Mid-90s |
Faculty of Science
Admission decisions are based primarily on high school averages and meeting minimum grades in the required courses. The majority of students were admitted with a minimum overall average of at least 78% and the published minimum grade in required courses. Competitive programs had a higher minimum average requirements.
Science and Aviation received an increased number of applications from a strong applicant pool. Applicants who did not receive an offer for Science and Aviation were given an alternate offer to Honours, Science.