China

Meet students from China and around the world

Students from more than 120 countries choose to study at Waterloo each year. Through your classes and our many student experience opportunities, you'll meet students from across Canada and around the world.

Lucy chose the University of Waterloo for its strong engineering program and renowned co-op opportunities. Coming from Guangzhou, China, she initially worried about adjusting to life in a smaller city and a new academic environment. But she quickly found her place in Waterloo, discovering a vibrant student life, supportive friends, and resources to help her navigate the challenges of first-year university.

In her first year, Lucy embraced the university’s diverse communities, joining dance clubs and the Chinese Students Association, and making lifelong friends along the way.

Despite the pressures of a demanding course load and co-op competition, Lucy learned to find balance, stay connected with family, and focus on her own pace. Her experience reflects the growth, challenges, and rewards of being an international student at Waterloo.

Connections for students from China

Here are some ways for you to connect with students from China or with other international students.

Even though it is comforting to hang out with fellow Hong Kong friends, try to broaden your perspective by connecting with peers from other cultures as well. Joining clubs and intramural teams or befriending people in your program helps a lot!

Kaylie, fourth-year Kinesiology student from Hong Kong

Resources at Waterloo

Why international students choose Waterloo

Outstanding reputation

#1 comprehensive research university for the past 16 years

Research Infosource Canada's Top 50 Research Universities 2023

Co-op (paid internship)

96% of our co-op grads employed 6 months after graduation find jobs related to skills they acquired at Waterloo

Ontario University Graduate Survey 2022

Career success

#1 in Canada for graduate employment rate

QS Graduate Employability Rankings

Budgets and Financing

Don't stress! Start planning your finances with these helpful tips and resources.

Check out our list of international scholarships.

Use our cost calculator to estimate your first-year expenses and resources.

Get answers on some commonly asked financing questions.

Global and China Scholarships

University of Waterloo China Hong Kong Entrance Scholarship ($2,000)

Two scholarships, valued at $2,000 each, are available annually for outstanding students entering the first year of any undergraduate degree program at the University of Waterloo who currently live in or who have previously lived in Hong Kong or mainland China and who intend to return to Hong Kong or China after graduation. Selection will be based on academic excellence as well as character, initiative, and community involvement. This fund is made possible by generous donations from alumni and friends of UWaterloo who live in Hong Kong and China.

Value

  • $2,000

Eligibility & selection criteria

  • Open to students who reside in or who previously resided in Hong Kong or mainland China
  • Academic performance
  • Community involvement

Apply here

Chik Mo-Fai Scholarship (up to $3,000)

One or more scholarships, valued at $1,500 - $3,000 each, are awarded annually to undergraduate students from China entering first year of any program at the University of Waterloo. Preference will be given to students who have graduated from Ying Wa College in Hong Kong. This scholarship is made possible by a donation from Rex Auyeung, a 1977 graduate of Environmental Studies. It honours his late father-in-law, Chik Mo-Fai, and his strong career ambitions. Rex hopes that this scholarship will relieve some financial burden for students, thereby allowing them to concentrate on their studies, find their own success, and eventually contribute back to society at large.

Value

  • Range between $1,500 - $3,000 each

Details

  • One or more entrance scholarships
  • No application required
  • Open to any program

Eligibility & selection criteria

  • Academic performance
  • Admission Information Form (AIF) may also be considered for applicants to an Engineering or Mathematics program
  • Preference to graduates from Ying Wa College in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Alumni Association Entrance Award ($2,000)

Two awards, valued at up to $2,000 each, are available each year through donations from University of Waterloo alumni living in Hong Kong. Outstanding students who currently reside in or who previously resided in Hong Kong and who are entering full-time studies at UWaterloo are eligible to apply. Selection will be based on a combination of academic achievement and demonstrated initiative and good character through involvement in community or high school extracurricular activities.

Value

  • Up to $2,000 each

Details

  • Two awards

Eligibility & selection criteria

  • Students who currently reside in or who previously resided in Hong Kong
  • Academic achievement
  • Good character through involvement in community or high school extracurricular activities

Apply here

Lan Wong Chu Entrance Scholarship (up to $2,000)

One scholarship, valued at up to $2,000, is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate student from China or Hong Kong entering first year of any program at the University of Waterloo. This fund is made possible by a donation from the Chu family in honour of their grandmother/great-grandmother, Lan Wong Chu, who was known for her strength, kindness, and integrity.

Value

  • Up to $2,000

 Details

  • No application required
  • Open to any program

Eligibility & selection criteria

  • Academic performance
  • Students from China or Hong Kong will be considered

Dominic Leung Entrance Scholarship (up to $1,500)

One scholarship, valued at up to $1,500, is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student from Hong Kong or China enrolled in Year One of any degree program at the University of Waterloo on the basis of academic achievement. This fund was established by Dominic Leung, a proud alumnus of the Faculty of Arts, to assist young students to fulfill their dreams of obtaining an education from Waterloo.

Value

  • Up to $1,500

Details

  • No application required
  • Open to any program

Eligibility & selection criteria

  • Academic performance
  • Students from China or Hong Kong will be considered

Sooi Chong Entrance Scholarship in Chemical Engineering ($5,000)

Five scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, will be awarded annually to full-time undergraduate students entering Year One of the Chemical Engineering program. This fund is made possible by a donation from Sooi Chong (MASc ’66, Chemical Engineering) in support of the next generation of Engineering students.

Value

  • $5,000 each

Details

  • Five awards available

  • No application required

Eligibility & selection criteria

  • Academic performance

  • Admission Information Form (AIF)

  • Online video interview

  • Chemical Engineering student

Earn while you learn

If you're in a co-op program, you'll earn money during each of your four to six co-op terms to help pay for school. Students earn $9,600-$22,500 per four-month work term.

  • Waterloo students typically have smaller student loans and are more successful at paying them back.
  • Use your co-op terms to try different careers. See what you're good at and what you love to do.

Waterloo is great because of the hands-on learning you get in class, through co-op, and the wide variety of volunteer options. The supportive faculty and community were also essential to my university experience!

Daniel, third year Materials and Nanoscience student from Nanjing
Hands on a keyboard of a laptop

Meet with an Immigration Consultant

Maintaining your immigration documents can be complicated. So don’t do it alone! Access free appointments and support from our Immigration Consultants.

Hands of multiple people with pens and notebooks

Meet with a Chinese Consulate

A Chinese Consulate in Toronto can support you with visas, document services, cultural events, and more during your time as an international student in Canada.

Questions?

Contact china.recruiter@uwaterloo.ca if you have questions about applying from China.

If you have questions about your application, email myapplication@uwaterloo.ca