Architects are largely responsible for designing the buildings and spaces that enhance the quality and beauty of our world.
Recognized as one of the best in North America, Waterloo's School of Architecture provides you with a creative, international education. It's the only school of architecture in the world that gives all students access to paid co-op work experience with top design firms starting in second year.
Right from the first day of classes, you'll be taking design courses and have your own space in our bright studios. You'll enjoy a small community with a vibrant intellectual atmosphere.
Our cultural history courses, which examine the close relationship between architecture and society, and our technical and environmental courses add depth to core courses in design. You'll spend the fall of fourth year at our studio in Rome, one of the world's great cities for culture and architecture.
The School of Architecture is located in the city of Cambridge, about 30 minutes south of the main Waterloo campus. The location provides wonderful spaces for design studios, labs, and classrooms. It also includes a superb design library and exhibition galleries.
About Architecture at Waterloo
Gain 2 years of experience in the co-op program
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Co-op employment rate in 2016
Offered by the
Faculty of Engineering
Engineering school in Canada (US News & World Report 2016)
Admission requirements
- Ontario students: 6 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 courses: Grade 11 or 12 M Art courses, independent art studies, creative and cultural studies such as visual arts and history
- Admission averages: Individual selection from the mid-80s
- An Admission Information Form is required
- Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements database.
First-year courses
September to December
ARCH 192 - Design Studio
ARCH 100 - Introduction to Architecture
ARCH 110 – Visual and Digital Media 1
ARCH 125 – Principles of Environmental Design
ARCH 142 – Introduction to Cultural History
ARCH 172 - Building Construction 1
January to April
ARCH 193 - Design Studio
ARCH 113 – Visual and Digital Media 2
ARCH 126 – Environmental Building Design
ARCH 143 – The Ancient World and Foundations of Europe
ARCH 173 - Building Construction 2
After first year
- See the range of courses available in Architecture.
- View all the courses required for your degree.
Co-op
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op positions
- Architectural Assistant, Arquitectonica International Corporation
- Green Designer, Whiting Design
- Intern, Lett Architects Inc
- Architectural Student, AODBT Architecture & Interior Design
- Intern Architect, Tampold Architects
Careers in Architecture
- Intern Architect, Paul Raff Studio Incorporated Architect
- Intern Architect, Levitt Goodman Architects
- Junior Architect, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates
- Associate, Garwood-Jones and Hanham Architects
- Intern Architect, James K.M. Cheng Architects Inc.
- Project Manager, Designstor.Com Inc.
- Design Associate, Fisher Weisman Interior Design & Decoration
- Intern Architect, Parkin Architects Limited
- Intern Architect, CS&P Architects
- Architectural Assistant, Sara Wigglesworth Architects
Helpful links
- Email Colleen Richter, our Undergraduate Student Services Coordinator, who can answer any questions about Architecture
- Visit the School of Architecture website
