Applications from mature students are considered on a case-by-case basis. Like all applicants to Waterloo, mature students are expected to meet the published admission requirements for their program of interest.
Have you attended university or college?
If you've studied at college or university, you are not considered a mature student for admission purposes.
- If you've studied at college or a university other than Waterloo, you'll be considered a transfer student and need to meet the regular admission requirements.
- If you have previously studied at Waterloo, you should apply for re-admission using the Application for Undergraduate Readmission form (listed under the "Admissions" heading).
Applying with a Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) or General Educational Development (GED) certificate?
If you're applying with a CAEC or GED certificate, your application will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Completion of the CAEC or GED meets the high school diploma requirement for admission. However, if you're applying with a CAEC or GED, you must also meet the admission requirements (including all required courses) for your program(s) of interest.
CAEC or GED examination results are NOT considered equivalent to the Ontario Grade 12 U/M courses.
Mature student requirements
Mature student admission is not guaranteed, and we may require academic upgrading to have a competitive application.
For admission purposes, the University of Waterloo’s definition of a mature student varies by faculty. Details for each of Waterloo's faculties are listed below.
Not sure which faculty offers your program of interest? See a list of programs by faculty.
Faculty of Arts
- You may be considered as a mature student if you have been away from secondary school for some time, normally four years.
- The Faculty of Arts does not offer admission to mature students automatically. Mature students are expected to meet the published admission requirements for Faculty of Arts programs.
- In some cases, the admissions committee will require you to upgrade your English course(s) before considering you for admission.
Faculty of Engineering (excluding the School of Architecture)
- Admission to Engineering programs is based on the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses (or equivalents).
- The required courses include Advanced Functions MHF4U, Calculus and Vectors MCV4U, Physics SPH4U, Chemistry SCH4U, and English ENG4U. Math and science courses required for admission that were completed more than three years before your intended start date may need to be updated. Email the admissions office for details.
- In-progress or final grades in the required subjects are needed by the document deadline.
- An Admission Information Form is required for admission.
- Experience in developing well-structured, modular programs is required if you're applying to Software Engineering.
- Admission to Engineering programs is competitive and decisions are based on individual selection.
- Email our admissions team for more information.
School of Architecture
- Admission to Architecture is based on the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses (or equivalents).
- The required courses include Advanced Functions MHF4U, Calculus and Vectors MCV4U, Physics SPH4U, and English ENG4U. Grade 11 or 12 Art and History are also strongly recommended.
- Required courses that are more than four years old before your intended start date may need to be updated. Email the admissions office for details.
- Grades in the required subjects are needed by the document deadline.
- Admission to Architecture is competitive and decisions are based on individual selection. Selected students will be invited to submit a portfolio of creative work, make a presentation, and complete a précis test.
- Email our admissions team for more information.
Faculty of Environment
- You may be considered as a mature student if you have been away from high school for some time, normally four years.
- The Faculty of Environment does not offer admission to mature students automatically. Mature students are expected to meet the published admission requirements for Faculty of Environment programs.
- In some cases, the admissions committee will require upgrading in English, math, or science at the high school or equivalent level.
Faculty of Health
- You may be considered as a mature student if you have been away from secondary school for some time, normally four years.
- You're required to have at a minimum the required Ontario Grade 12 U and/or M courses (or equivalents) for your program of interest.
- All required courses must be completed within five years of the start of classes for the term to which you are applying.
Faculty of Mathematics
- If you have been away from high school for more than two years and you do not satisfy minimum admission requirements, you may apply as a mature student. However, at a minimum, you should have covered all the material in the Ontario high school math courses required for admission: Grade 12 U (or equivalent) courses in Advanced Functions as well as Calculus and Vectors.
- If it has been more than three years since you completed the Ontario high school math courses, you may be asked to repeat some or all of the required courses before being considered for admission.
Faculty of Science
- You may be considered as a mature student if you have been away from high school for some time, normally four years.
- As a mature applicant, you are required to have at a minimum the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses (or equivalents): Advanced Functions; Calculus and Vectors; English, and any two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics.
Need to take or upgrade some courses?
If you need to take specific grade 12 U/M courses to meet our admission requirements, the following options are accepted for admission consideration.
- Ontario Grade 12 U/M courses through the Independent Learning Centre or your local Board of Education
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses
Questions about applying?
Contact our admissions office at myapplication@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 43106.