Get a degree that computes.
Study at one of the world’s best schools for computer science, where more than 80 professors are pushing the boundaries of the field.
With 70+ computer science courses, plus no end of options and electives, you can create a degree tailored to your specific interests. After first year, you can choose a major in Data Science.
You can also gain two years of paid work experience through our co-op program, the largest of its kind in North America, or fast track your degree by choosing the regular system of study.
Your degree is your ticket to career success. Our graduates go on to work in leading technology companies and at top universities around the world.
Meanwhile, Waterloo professors and graduates have created more than 800 spin-off companies, including leaders like OpenText, Canada’s largest software company.
Computer Science admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus and Vectors
- Any Grade 12 U English
- One other 4U course
Recommended: Grade 11 U Introduction to Computer Science
Admission average: Individual selection from the low 90s
Complete the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not an Ontario high school student? Search our admission requirements.
We strongly encourage you to participate in the Canadian Computing Competition and/or the Euclid Mathematics Contest to enhance your admissions status. To be considered for entrance scholarships in the Faculty of Mathematics, you must write one or both of the contests. If you complete both contests, we'll use the results of the contest in which you performed best.
First-year courses
You can choose advanced-stream courses for algebra, calculus, and computer science if you meet the requirements.
September to December
January to April
After first year
The majority of the required courses you’ll take will be Computer Science courses, with additional courses in the Faculty of Mathematics. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.
View a list of all the courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
CS 341 - Algorithms
CS 480 - Introduction to Machine Learning
CS 492 - The Social Implications of Computing
CS 486 - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science is largest academic computer science research centre in Canada, ranking 10th in North America and 31st in the world.
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of Mathematics
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
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. You can choose from 4 different co-op sequences.
Sample co-op job titles
- Full stack developer
- Game programmer
- Web developer
- Technical systems analyst
- Research assistant
- Software developer
Sample co-op employers
- Microsoft
- Shopify
- OpenText Corporation
- NVIDIA Corporation
First faculty of mathematics in North America
Offered by the Faculty of Mathematics
Waterloo is an international leader in mathematics
Customize your degree
You can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students.
What can you do with a degree in computer science?
Graduates typically pursue careers in technology such as software development and game development. They often work for software companies, technology companies, and more.
Recent graduates
- Financial Software Developer – Bloomberg
- Software Developer – Pinterest
- Data Scientist – Facebook
- Software Engineer – Google
- Engineer, Relevancy – Wish
- Software Developer – Palantir Technologies
- Software Engineer – Dropbox
For more information on potential careers, check out our page on careers in math, coding, and data.
Social and academic support
Through Waterloo’s Computer Science Club, get access to high-powered hardware or get social with your fellow students.
Calling all hackers
Bring your ideas to life at Hack the North — Canada’s biggest hackathon — which attracts more than 1,000 students from around the world each year.
Ready to learn more?
- Visit the School of Computer Science website
- Email our Mathematics recruitment co-ordinator who can answer questions about the program
- Subscribe to our newsletter to get tips and advice from current students
- Related programs