Create the blueprints for a great career
In one of North America’s top schools of architecture, you’ll get a broad education that covers everything from building materials and construction techniques to cultural history, social context, green architecture, and more. Not to mention you'll combine it all with paid co-op work experience.
However, the core of this pre-professional program is design courses, starting right in year one. You’ll get your own dedicated space in our studio where you’ll develop your ideas and skills through a series of hands-on projects.
Learn about society and culture, the principles of physics, materials and techniques of construction, human interaction with the natural and built environment, critical thought, and the diverse forms of creative expression.
The School of Architecture is a beautiful historic building in the city of Cambridge, about 30 km (usually a 45-minute drive) from Waterloo's main campus. The campus in Cambridge is complete with studios, labs, exhibition galleries, and a world-class design library.
Discover Architecture at Waterloo
Faculty:
School of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
No
Available as a minor?
No
Kick-start your career as an architect. Join the only school of architecture in the world where you’ll get two years of paid co-op work experience in Canada and abroad.
Study in Rome. The Coliseum is calling! You’ll spend the fall of your fourth year at our studio in Rome, one of the world's great cities for culture and architecture.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Co-op | Study |
Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).
Architecture admission requirements
Ontario students
Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- English (ENG4U) (A minimum final grade of 75% is required)
- Advanced Functions (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Physics (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Recommended: Grade 11 or 12 art courses, independent art studies, creative and cultural studies such as visual arts and history
Admission average: Individual selection from the mid-80s
Selected students will be invited to submit a portfolio of creative work and to complete an English précis-writing exercise as part of the application process.
Not studying in Ontario?
Search our admission requirements.
How to apply
Apply directly to this program on your application.
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