Take courses for general interest or work toward a degree with on-campus or online courses.
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) or full time (three to five courses)
- Take courses for interest or work toward a degree
- Over 500 courses in 40+ subject areas
Types of degrees you can earn
Three-year general degree
- Usually requires 30 courses
- Can be completed online or on a part-time basis
- For 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)
- As a full-time student, 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 honours degree
- Usually requires 40 courses and a higher average than the four-year general degree
- May have a slightly different set of required courses than a general degree
- Requires on-campus studies (except for the majors listed below)
- Normally requires full-time studies (except for Liberal Studies, Social Development Studies, Recreation, and Social Work which are 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.
- If you're interested in continuing your education in a graduate program (master’s or PhD) or with a professional degree (e.g., law, education/ teaching, medicine), you'll normally need an Honours degree.
Four-year general degree
- Usually requires 40 courses
- Can be completed online or on a part-time basis
- For 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)
- 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.
Full-time studies
- Three or more courses per term (a typical full-time course load is five courses)
Part-time studies
- One or two courses per term
It make take less time for you to complete a degree if you receive transfer credit for previous college or university studies.
Part-time degrees (on campus)
The following programs are available through part-time studies (one or two courses per term). The length of time it takes to complete a degree depends on the number of courses you take each year.
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.
- Three-year Liberal Studies degree
- Four-year Liberal Studies degree
- Four-year honours Liberal Studies degree
Other majors in the Faculty of Arts may be available to you if you can attend in person classes during the daytime. Part-time studies can include a combination of on-campus and online courses. Students generally do not declare a major until they have completed first year. Transfer students can email artsadvisor@uwaterloo.ca once they have been admitted to discuss how they can declare a major.
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 nations flourish.
- Three-year Social Development Studies (SDS) degree
- Four-year SDS degree
- Four-year honours SDS degree
Admission requirements are the same as for Honours Arts.
Recreation and Leisure Studies (Bachelor of Arts, three majors)
This four-year honours program starts in the fall term only. Discover how to enhance quality of life by improving physical, social, and mental health through one of our three majors.
Bachelor of Science
- Three-year general Bachelor of Science degree is no longer available effective September 2023.
Bachelor of Social Work
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is also offered as a full-time program. Learn more about admission requirements, applications deadlines, and tips for applying to the part-time BSW or full-time BSW programs.
Online degrees
You can complete an online degree as a part-time student (one or two courses per term) or full-time student (three to five courses per term). The length of time it takes to complete a degree depends on the number of courses you take each year and any transfer credit you receive from previous college or university studies. Online degrees can't be combined with a co-op program.
Bachelor of Arts
There are three majors available. Admission requirements are the same as for Honours Arts.
-
Liberal Studies
- 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.
- Three-year general Liberal Studies degree
- Four-year general Liberal Studies degree
-
Social Development Studies (SDS)
- 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 nations flourish.
- Three-year general SDS degree
- Four-year general SDS degree
-
Philosophy
-
Philosophy has long been a central component of a liberal arts education — and with good reason. It teaches you critical reasoning like no other discipline.
- Three-year general Philosophy degree
-
Honours degrees
These four-year honours programs start in the fall term only and follow the application and document deadlines for full-time, on-campus programs. Learn more about admission requirements for these full-time online programs.
- Honours Arts – Liberal Studies
- Social Development Studies
Other ways to study (Non-degree, post-degree, Letter of Permission)
Non-degree studies
If you do not have an undergraduate degree and wish to take courses in the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Science without pursuing a degree, apply to non-degree studies.
If you've completed an undergraduate course or degree at Waterloo, you should submit an Application for Re-Admission.
Post-degree studies
If you have an undergraduate degree and want to take courses for interest or to qualify for additional studies without pursuing a second degree, apply to post-degree studies.
If you've completed an undergraduate course or degree at Waterloo, you should submit an Application for Re-Admission.
Letter of Permission
If you're working towards an undergraduate degree at another Canadian university and want to take courses at Waterloo to count towards your degree, apply using a Letter of Permission.
Application and document deadlines
All students (including online and part time) are required to follow the University's COVID-19 guidelines when they are in place.
| Term you wish to start | Application available | Last day to apply | Last day to submit documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| September – December 2023 (fall term) | Degree and non-degree | June 30, 2023 | July 31, 2023 |
| Post-degree | August 2, 2023 | August 17, 2023 | |
| Letter of Permission | August 10, 2023 | August 25, 2023 | |
|
January – April 2024 (winter term) |
Degree and non-degree | November 3, 2023 | December 1, 2023 |
| Post-degree | November 17, 2023 | December 15, 2023 | |
| Letter of Permission | December 1, 2023 | December 20, 2023 | |
|
May – August 2024 (spring term) |
Degree and non-degree | Deadlines are not yet available. | |
| Post-degree | |||
| Letter of Permission | |||
These deadlines apply to online and part-time studies (general interest courses or courses toward earning a degree), non-degree studies, post-degree studies, or letter of permission. Admission to the University does not guarantee enrolment in specific courses. Some courses are open only to students in a particular program.
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 to the Registrar's Office. Deadlines are listed on the form.
I'm a student at Wilfrid Laurier University
If you are currently enrolled in undergraduate studies at Wilfrid Laurier University and want to complete a course at Waterloo, you'll apply through cross-registration from Laurier.
I'm interested in earning a Waterloo degree
Required forms and documents
| Item | Required as part of the application process? |
|---|---|
| Online application | Always |
| Admission Information Form (AIF) | Always |
| 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 post-secondary schools you have attended (colleges, polytechnics, universities). Final grades for all courses are required by the document deadline. Applicants cannot be enrolled in the term immediately before the term they wish to begin at Waterloo. | If you have attempted or completed any courses from a college, polytechnic, or university |
| Detailed syllabus for all post-secondary courses | If you have completed any courses from a college, polytechnic, or university |
| English language test, such as an IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL | If you do not fulfill the requirements for an English language test exemption. |
* = Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions attended to the Office of the Registrar. Please allow 4-6 weeks for their delivery.
English language requirements
The official language of instruction at the University of Waterloo is English. Therefore all applicants must satisfy the English language requirements.
Application fee
There is a non-refundable processing fee of $85 CAD for each application. There may also be additional costs for transcripts that are ordered at the time of application. The Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) will not forward your application to Waterloo until all required fees have been paid.
Application process
Within two weeks of submitting your application and payment, you'll receive your Waterloo student number and further instructions by email. Official transcripts from most universities and colleges in Ontario can be ordered while completing your application. You'll need to arrange for all other official transcripts to be sent to the Office of the Registrar. Please ensure that your OUAC reference number is included with all information.
Office of the Registrar
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Application form
Apply to degree studies (on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre website). If you're unable to complete and submit your application, you'll need to return here to use the "apply to degree studies" link to complete your application. A link to the application is not available on the OUAC website.
Be sure to apply by the application deadline listed above.
If you need assistance, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 519-888-4567, ext. 43548 or applicant.help@uwaterloo.ca.
I'm interested in 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 (see below).
Courses successfully completed as a non-degree student may be eligible for credit toward a degree if you decide to pursue a degree at a later date.
Required forms and documents
| Item | Required as part of the application process? |
|---|---|
| Online application | Always |
| Admission Information Form (AIF) | Always |
| 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 post-secondary schools you have attended (colleges, polytechnics, universities). Final grades for all courses are required by the document deadline. Applicants cannot be enrolled in the term immediately before the term they wish to begin at Waterloo. | If you have attempted or completed any courses from a college, polytechnic, or university |
| Detailed syllabus for all post-secondary courses | If you have completed any courses from a college, polytechnic, or university |
| English language test, such as an IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL | If you do not fulfill the requirements for an English language test exemption. |
* = Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions attended to the Registrar's Office. Please allow 4-6 weeks for their delivery.
English language requirements
The official language of instruction at the University of Waterloo is English. Therefore all applicants must satisfy the English language requirements.
If you need assistance, please contact Waterloo's Office of the Registrar at 519-888-4567, ext. 43548 or applicant.help@uwaterloo.ca.
Application fee
There is a non-refundable processing fee of $85 CAD for each application. There may also be additional costs for transcripts that are ordered at the time of application. The Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) will not forward your application to Waterloo until all required fees have been paid.
Application process
Within two weeks of submitting your application and payment, you'll receive your Waterloo student number and further instructions by email.
Official transcripts from most universities and colleges in Ontario can be ordered while completing your application. You will need to arrange for all other official transcripts to be sent to the Office of the Registrar. Please ensure that your OUAC number is included with all information.
Office of the Registrar
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W
Waterloo ON N2L 3G1 Canada
Application form
Apply to non-degree studies (on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre website). If you're unable to complete and submit your application, you'll need to return here to use the "apply to non-degree studies" link to complete your application. A link to the application is not available on the OUAC website.
Be sure to apply by the application deadline listed above.
If you need assistance, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 519-888-4567, ext. 43548 or applicant.help@uwaterloo.ca.
I'm interested in post-degree studies
The following information is for students with an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution (or equivalent) and who do not wish to earn a degree from Waterloo.
Required forms and documents
| Item | Required as part of the application process? |
|---|---|
| Online application | Always |
| Official transcripts* from the post-secondary institution where you conferred an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree. If you are in your final term and wish to begin immediately then an official letter indicating your degree has been confirmed would also be required for admission consideration. | Always |
| Engineering course descriptions | If you have conferred an Engineering degree and wish to take additional undergraduate Engineering courses |
| English language test, such as an IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL | If you do not fulfill the requirements for an English language test exemption. |
* = Official transcripts must be sent directly from the institutions attended to the Office of the Registrar. Please allow 4-6 weeks for their delivery.
English language requirements
The official language of instruction at the University of Waterloo is English. Therefore all applicants must satisfy the English language requirements.
Application fee
There is a non-refundable processing fee of $85 CAD for each application. There may also be additional costs if you are applying from outside of Canada and for transcripts that are ordered at the time of application. Your application will not be forwarded to Waterloo until all required fees have been paid.
Application process
Within two weeks of submitting your application and payment, you will receive your Waterloo student number and further instructions by email.
Official transcripts from most universities and colleges in Ontario can be ordered while completing your application. You will need to arrange for all other official transcripts to be sent to the Office of the Registrar. Please ensure that your OUAC application number is included with all information.
Office of the Registrar
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave W
Waterloo ON N2L 3G1 Canada
Application form
Apply to post-degree studies (on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre website). If you're unable to complete and submit your application, you'll need to return here to use the "apply to degree studies" link to complete your application. A link to the application is not available on the OUAC website.
Be sure to apply by the application deadline listed above.
I'm interested in a Letter of Permission
If you're completing an undergraduate degree at another Canadian institution and want to take courses at Waterloo to apply to your degree, you'll need to submit a Letter of Permission. The courses you wish to take may not be available due to enrolment limits, so we recommend that you request more than one course on your Letter of Permission.
If you have previously taken a course on a Letter of Permission at Waterloo, please email the Office of the Registrar for information on how to proceed.
Completing the Letter of Permission application and providing documentation does not guarantee enrolment. Course enrolment priority is given to Waterloo students. There are some subject areas that do not allow enrolment through Letter of Permission. The Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Mathematics course availability is limited and subject to their direct approval. If we are unable to process your application for any reason the application fee is non-refundable.
Please check our Schedule of Classes for enrollment limits and available space.
Documents required
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Online application | Please complete the Letter of Permission application by the application deadline for the term. |
| Letter of Permission | You must be in good standing at your home university and provide an approved Letter of Permission listing the course(s) you intend to take. |
| Unofficial university transcripts and course syllabi | If you're applying for undergraduate courses at the 200 level (second year) or above in Engineering or Math, you'll need to provide an unofficial transcript and may also be required to provide course syllabi. This may also be requested for upper-year courses in other subject areas. |
English language requirements
The official language of instruction at the University of Waterloo is English. Therefore all applicants must satisfy the English language requirements. You may be asked to provide a passing test score.
Application fee
There is a non-refundable application fee of $55 CAD. Your application will not be forwarded from OUAC to Waterloo until all required fees have been received.
Application process
Within two weeks of submitting your application and payment, you will receive an email with further information and instructions.
Application form
Submit a Letter of Permission application (on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre website). If you're unable to complete and submit your application, you'll need to return here to use the "Letter of Permission application" link to complete your application. A link to the application is not available on the OUAC website.
Be sure to apply by the application deadline listed above.
If you need assistance, please email the Office of the Registrar.
I'm interested in requesting 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.
Even though the special consideration forms are officially closed for fall 2022, if you are applying for a part-time or online learning program and would like to request special consideration, please contact deregist@uwaterloo.ca.
What does it cost study part-time or online?
Tuition for part-time students is charged on a per course basis. View the undergraduate fee schedule and select the term in which you're taking courses. The "per course fees" are indicated in the far left column of the chart. You will also be charged the part-time incidental fees applicable to the term you are enrolled.
Tuition for online degrees varies with the number of courses you take each term. View the undergraduate fee schedule for the term in which you're taking courses. If you're taking more than two courses, you are considered a full-time student and will also be charged full-time incidental fees applicable to the term you are enrolled.
Questions?
If you have questions or would like more information, email applicant.help@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-888-4567, ext. 43548.
