International student admission

With more than 25,000 students from 120 countries at Waterloo, you'll join a community of students, professors, and researchers from across Canada and around the globe.

Discover Waterloo

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Why international students choose Waterloo

Outstanding reputation

International and national rankings place Waterloo among the world's top universities for many of our programs.

Co-op (paid internship)

North America's largest co-op (paid internship) program is open to Canadian and international students.

Career success

Waterloo provides an amazing range of career supports and is ranked among the top universities in Canada for graduate employability.

70% of Waterloo’s international students gain Permanent Resident status in Canada, which is double the average for universities across the country.

Waterloo's international students earn more after graduation than Canadian-born graduates from Waterloo and across Canada.

Contact a recruiter

Have questions about programs or applying to Waterloo? Contact our international recruitment team.

Join our mailing list

Have tips and articles emailed to you once a month, including information specifically for international students.

Connect with a student

Have questions about what it's like to study at Waterloo? Ask a current student.

Looking for safety, excellence, and career opportunities

Dr. Singh, Harkanwal, and Jasmeet at Harkanwal’s graduation in front of a green background and and a sign that says #UWaterlooGrad

When Dr. Narinder Paul Singh visited Canada to research universities for his two sons, he started in British Columbia and worked his way east. He was looking for three things: a safe campus, academic excellence, and strong career prospects.

Discover one family's path from India to Waterloo →

Your community is calling

Students sitting outside at table in the autumn

It's great to meet new friends, but sometimes it's nice to connect with students from home. Among our 250+ clubs are the African Student Association, Indian Cultural Association, Muslim Students' Association, and more.

Discover clubs at Waterloo →

View our information session for international students

Sign up to view our 25-minute information session specifically for international students. Learn about programs, co-operative education, the application process, and what makes Waterloo special!

We'll send you a link for the information session (hosted on YouTube).

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Your date of birth is collected to confirm your identity and to match your information with an application record, if applicable. This information will be used solely for these purposes.

When will you/your student begin university?

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Where is Waterloo?

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Distances to nearby cities

118 km (73 miles) to Toronto
150 km (110 miles) to Niagara Falls
290 km (180 miles) to Detroit
640 km (400 miles) to Montreal

Flights from Toronto to

Boston or New York City: 90 minutes
Vancouver or San Francisco: 5 hours
London: 7 hours
Dubai: 13 hours
Delhi: 16 hours
Singapore: 21 hours

Frequently asked questions

What programs does Waterloo offer?

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Waterloo offers 100+ programs across our six faculties. There's something to fit everyone's interests.

Not sure what to study? Check out our tips on how to choose a university program.

Where will I call home?

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Waterloo offers various on-campus residence options that comes with perks such as social opportunities, study spaces, and more!

Get answers to frequently asked questions by international students

If you have questions that aren't answered, please feel free to contact our international recruitment team.

From the Missing Manual

Visit our Missing Manual articles for valuable tips and advice from Waterloo students and staff.