Welcome to Waterloo
You've worked hard to get here. Now it's time to get excited about all the experiences, opportunities, and fun you'll have as a Waterloo student.
Your community will have your back every step of the way! Between exploring Waterloo's campus, joining clubs, and diving into real-world experiences, you've got a lot to look forward to.
Accepting your offer
We look forward to giving you a warm Warrior welcome in September! The first step is to accept your Offer of Admission and review any conditions you need to meet.
The deadline for accepting your Offer of Admission is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 3, 2024.
Reserve your place in residence
Want to level up your Waterloo experience? Living in residence connects you to a vibrant, supportive community – and your spot is 100% guaranteed.
- Learn about Waterloo's residences.
- When you're ready, submit your Residence Guarantee Application Form and your $500 non-refundable residence deposit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 3, 2024.
- Before you apply to residence, you'll need to set up two-factor authentication (2FA). The University uses 2FA to ensure the safety of student accounts. You'll use 2FA extensively as a Waterloo student. How to set up 2FA →
Accessible housing in residence is available to students with a documented disability.
Have you been admitted to Architecture?
We strongly recommend that you live in Cambridge and not in a main campus residence. See "Student life in Cambridge" on the School of Architecture FAQ page for details.
Why students love Waterloo
Getting ready for Warrior life
Stay on top of your budget
Don't stress! Start planning your finances with these helpful tips and resources.
- Use our student budget calculator to see what first year might cost.
- Check your Quest account in late July for your fall term fees. You'll also find your scholarship and bursary information there, if applicable (in the Entrance Awards tab).
- Learn strategies to help you pay for your education.
Get support before you start
Beginning in June, you'll receive lots of information about Waterloo Ready, our transition program that guides you through your journey up to – and into – first year.
You'll meet your future classmates, learn what to expect, and get set up for success.
Say hello to your next chapter
Here at Waterloo, you'll find experiences that ignite your passion, a community that supports you, and countless opportunities to make the world a better place.
Check out our student life section to learn about life as a Warrior, including
- exciting extracurriculars, from clubs to athletics;
- residence options designed to support your journey;
- our inclusive, tight-knit campus community; and
- career-building opportunities to prepare you for life after Waterloo.
Next steps for international and transfer students
International students
We're here to make your transition to life in Canada a smooth one. Here are some tips.
- You may need to request a letter of attestation to go along with your study permit application.
- If you've been admitted to co-op, apply for a work permit at the same time you apply for a study permit.
- If you need to prepay your tuition as part of your study permit application, use our fee estimator to estimate how much you should pay.
Transfer students
Here are some things to keep in mind if you're making the switch to Waterloo.
- Submit documents, such as final transcripts and course syllabi, for possible transfer credit. Once we've reviewed your documents, we'll email you a transfer credit assessment.
- Looking for a fun, supportive place to live? Take advantage of our residence guarantee for transfer students.