Put your career in gear.
If you love things that move, this is your program. At Waterloo, you’ll develop the skills you need to design everything from switches to spacecraft.
You’ll get a broad foundation in all aspects of mechanical design: mechanics, power, control, and manufacturing. You’ll also learn to lead large, multidisciplinary teams, solve problems, come up with high-impact innovations, and have the chance to apply it all to real work experiences in co-op.
Where you use those skills is up to you. Mechanical engineers work in all kinds of fields, constantly looking for ways to make machinery faster, lighter, cleaner, and more reliable.
And with two years of career-relevant experience on your résumé by the time you graduate, you’ll definitely impress potential employers.
Mechanical Engineering admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Admission averages: Individual selection from the low to mid-90s
Complete the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
First-year Mechanical Engineering courses
September to December
January to April or May to August
After first year
- See the range of courses available in Mechanical Engineering.
- View all the courses required for your degree.
Sample upper-year courses
ME 250 – Thermodynamics 1
ME 321 – Kinematics and Dynamics of Machines
ME 435 – Industrial Metallurgy
ME 547 – Robot Manipulators: Kinematics, Dynamics, Control
Why Waterloo Mechanics?
Part of Canada's largest engineering school, the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering department at the University of Waterloo is home to nearly 1600 undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff.
Gain two years of experience in the co-op program
Apply directly to this program on your application
Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree
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.
Sample co-op job titles
- Assistant design / production engineering
- Mechanical designer
- Project engineering
- Quality assurance
- Machine operator
- Manufacturing student
- Maintenance & Facilities assistant
- Product developer
Sample co-op employers
- Linamar Corporation
- Natural Resources Canada
- ArcelorMittal
- WalterFedy
- Canadian Tire Corporation
- Bruce Power Inc
- University of Waterloo
- Bombardier Inc
in Canada for engineering (US News & World Report 2019)
Offered by the Faculty of Engineering
Students earn $17,800 on average per co-op term
What can you do with a degree in Mechanical Engineering?
Waterloo Mechanical Engineering graduates often pursue careers in automation, automotive aerospace, and forensics. They commonly work for media companies, technology companies, vehicle manufactures, and more.
Recent graduates
- Mechanical Engineer – Apple
- Engineer in Training – Shell Canada
- Reactor Designer – Candu Energy
- Mechanical Engineer – Imperial Oil
- Quality Control Engineer - Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
- Production Engineer – SeedMaster
- Senior Hardware Engineer – Teledyne DALSA
Possible professional designation
For more information on potential careers, check out our page on careers in engineering.
Get your hands dirty
At Waterloo, you'll have access to well-equipped labs for design and experimentation (including our highly popular engine dissection lab).
Put the pedal to the metal
Gain hands-on experience with student teams that design everything from Formula SAE race cars and solar cars, to clean snowmobiles, submarines, and satellites.
Ready to learn more?
- Visit the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering website
- Subscribe to our newsletter to get tips and advice from current students
