Part-time studies and online degrees

Interested in taking courses online or on a part-time basis? You can work toward a degree or take individual courses for general interest.

Part-time studies

  • Take one or two courses per term
  • Study online or on campus (daytime and/or evening courses)
  • Pursue courses for interest or work toward a degree

Online studies

  • Study part time (one or two courses per term) or full time (three to five courses per term)
  • Take courses for interest or work toward a degree
  • Over 500 courses in 40+ subject areas

Types of degrees you can earn

If you're not familiar with universities, the first level of degree you'd typically earn is called an undergraduate degree. At Waterloo, we offer general and honours undergraduate degrees.

Do your long-term goals include earning a graduate degree (master’s or PhD) or a professional degree such as law, teaching, or medicine? We recommend you research the requirements for those programs to ensure you choose the type of degree that will meet those requirements. Many programs require a four-year honours degree.

Three-year general degree
  • Usually requires 30 courses
  • Can be completed online or on a part-time basis

It may take less time to complete a degree than noted below if you are awarded transfer credit for previous college or university studies.

Part-time studies

It takes a minimum of five years to complete a degree (if you take two courses in each of Waterloo’s three terms per year).

Full-time studies

It would normally take three years to complete (five courses in two of Waterloo’s three terms per year). You could complete it faster by taking courses in each of our three terms per year.

Four-year general degree
  • Usually requires 40 courses
  • Can be completed online or on a part-time basis

It may take less time to complete a degree than noted below if you are awarded transfer credit for previous college or university studies.

Part-time studies

It takes a minimum of nearly seven years to complete a degree (if you take two courses in each of Waterloo’s three terms per year).

Full-time studies

It would normally take four years to complete (five courses in two of Waterloo’s three terms per year). You could complete it faster by taking courses in each of our three terms per year.

Honours degree (four years)
  • Usually requires 40 courses and a higher average throughout your degree than the four-year general degree
  • May have a slightly different set of required courses than a general degree
  • Requires you to take classes on campus (except for Liberal Studies and Social Development Studies which are available through online studies)
  • Normally requires you to be a full-time student either in person or online (except for Liberal Studies, the three Recreation and Leisure Studies majors, and Social Development Studies which all available through part-time studies)

As a full-time student, it would normally take four years to complete (five courses in two of Waterloo’s three terms per year). You could complete it faster by taking courses in each of our three terms per year.

Most Arts majors can be completed on campus through full-time or part-time studies; however, some majors may require you to enroll full-time. Email the admissions team for further information.

Programs

There are several programs/majors available if you would like to earn a Waterloo degree.

Liberal Studies (Bachelor of Arts)

Commonly called a liberal arts degree at other universities, Liberal Studies allows you to explore many subjects in the humanities, social sciences, languages and cultures, and fine and performing arts – plus courses you’d like to take from some of Waterloo's other faculties.

Degree requirements

Admissions

Admission requirements are the same as for Honours Arts.

Additional majors

Through part-time studies, you can include on-campus and online courses. If you can attend in-person classes during the day, other majors in the Faculty of Arts may be available to you. Students generally do not declare a major until they have completed first year.

If you're a transfer student and receive an offer of admission to Waterloo, you can email artsadvisor@uwaterloo.ca to discuss how to declare a major.

Recreation and Leisure Studies (Bachelor of Arts, three majors)

Discover how to enhance quality of life by improving physical, social, and mental health through one of our three majors. Learn how well-designed recreation programs can foster inclusivity and strengthen the cultural fabric of a community. There are three honours majors available.

Study options

  • Part-time (in person, begins in September only)

Admissions

Admission requirements for Recreation and Leisure Studies apply to all three majors.

Social Development Studies (Bachelor of Arts)

Explore how human interactions are influenced by individual, collective, and structural forces such as mental health, social relationships, economic conditions, education and politics, and movements for social justice and social change. A common goal of those who study Social Development Studies is to help people and communities flourish.

Degree requirements

Admissions

Admission requirements are the same as for Honours Arts.

Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work)

Do you have a passion for social justice? Do you feel a calling to help others and create change? With a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), you'll empower individuals, families, groups, and communities to sustain and improve their quality of life.

Study options

  • Part-time (mostly in-person but some online courses)
  • Full-time (in person only)

Pre-requisite courses

If you have a degree and plan to take courses to meet the admission requirements for the BSW, you're strongly encouraged to first email the School of Social Work for an assessment of your background and the courses you plan to take. This will help ensure that you have the correct courses and GPA before applying to the BSW program.

Admissions

Learn about admission requirements, applications deadlines, and tips for applying to the part-time BSW or full-time BSW programs.

Want to take courses at Waterloo and not work towards a degree? You have options!

  • Non-degree studies: If you're interested in taking individual courses and not working toward a degree.
  • Post-degree studies: If you have a university degree and wish to take courses.
  • Current Laurier student: Apply through Laurier to cross-register at Waterloo.
  • Letter of Permission: If you're working towards a degree at another Canadian university and wish to take one or more courses at Waterloo.

How you apply depends on your background and goal

I have completed a Waterloo course or degree

If you've completed an undergraduate course or degree at Waterloo, you should submit an Application for Re-Admission (listed in the admissions section) for the term you wish to start.

The fall term starts in September, the winter term in January, and the spring term in May.

I'm interested in earning a Waterloo degree

If you wish to pursue a Waterloo degree through part-time or online studies, you'll follow the application process outlined below.

I have a degree and wish to take courses (post-degree studies)

If you have an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution (or equivalent) and don't plan to earn a degree from Waterloo, you'll pursue post-degree studies. You'll follow the application process below.

I'd like to take courses but not earn a degree (non-degree studies)

If you wish to take individual undergraduate courses in the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Science without pursuing a degree, you can apply for admission on a non-degree basis.

You must meet the same admission requirements as for degree studies in Honours Arts or Honours Science depending on your interests. If you have an undergraduate degree from another post-secondary institution, you'll want to apply to post-degree studies (previous category).

Courses you successfully complete as a non-degree student may be eligible for credit toward a degree if you decide to pursue a degree at a later date.

Courses in faculties other than Arts and Science are not available through non-degree studies.

I'm a student at Wilfrid Laurier University

If you're currently enrolled in undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University and wish to take one or more courses at Waterloo, you'll apply through cross-registration at Laurier.

I'm a student at another Canadian university

If you're completing an undergraduate degree at another Canadian institution and wish to take courses at Waterloo to apply toward your degree, you'll apply using a Letter of Permission.

Application process

How to apply to part-time and online studies, non-degree studies, or post-degree studies

You'll apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

  • Non-degree studies
  • Part-time and online studies
  • Post-degree studies – Once you apply, you'll need to provide an official final transcript showing the undergraduate degree you earned. You do not need to supply transcripts from any other schools you've attended. If your first language is not English, we may ask for English language test scores.

These applications are not publicly listed on the OUAC website. If you're unable to complete your application, you'll need to bookmark the OUAC login page or return to this page and use the appropriate link above to finish your application.

Be sure to apply by the application deadline listed below and review the required documents we'll need.

As a reminder, full-time studies means three or more courses per term (a typical full-time course load is five courses), and part-time studies is one or two courses per term.

Application fee

There is a non-refundable application fee of $85 (payable to the OUAC). There may also be additional costs if you order transcripts when you apply. The OUAC will not forward your application to Waterloo until all required fees have been paid.

Special consideration

If you have significant circumstances that affected your grades and were not accommodated through your school(s) or relevant services, you can request special consideration for admission. This will give our staff additional information about your background when reviewing your application.

If you would like to request special consideration, please contact specialconsideration@uwaterloo.ca.

Application and document deadlines
Term you wish to start Type of studies Last day to apply Last day to submit documents

May - August 2025
(spring term)

Applications opened in early November 2024

 Degree and non-degree March 3, 2025 March 28, 2025
Post-degree March 17, 2025 April 7, 2025

September - December 2025(fall term)

Applications open in early March 2025

 Degree and non-degree June 30, 2025 August 1, 2025
Post-degree August 1, 2025 August 15, 2025

January - April 2026 (winter term)

Applications open in late June 2025

 Degree and non-degree TBD TBD
Post-degree TBD TBD

These deadlines apply to online and part-time studies (general interest courses or courses toward earning a degree), non-degree studies, and post-degree studies. Dates are subject to change.

Admission to the University does not guarantee enrolment in specific courses. Some courses are open only to students in a particular program.

Once you've applied

Within two weeks of submitting your application and payment, you'll receive your Waterloo student number and further instructions by email.

You'll need to arrange for all official transcripts to be sent to Waterloo's Office of the Registrar. Please ensure that your Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) number is included with all information.

Office of the Registrar
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W
Waterloo ON N2L 3G1 Canada

Required documents

The official language of instruction at the University of Waterloo is English. All applicants must meet the English language requirements to be eligible for admission.

The Admission Information Form is not used in the application process.

Document Required as part of the application process?
Official high school transcripts* or board exam results*, such as Indian State Board Exams (including high school courses you have taken after your graduation) Always (even if you have not completed your high school diploma)
Official transcripts* from all colleges, universities, and/or polytechnics you've attended. Final grades for all courses are required by the document deadline. You cannot be enrolled in the term immediately before the term you wish to begin at Waterloo. If you've completed courses at a college, polytechnic, or university
Detailed syllabi for all post-secondary courses If you've completed courses at a college, university, or a polytechnic
English language test score, such as an IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL If your first language is not English and you don't qualify for an English language test exemption.

* = Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions attended to the Registrar's Office. Please allow four to six weeks for their delivery.

Questions?

If you have questions or would like more information, email applicant.help@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-888-4567, ext. 43548 and we'd be happy to help.