Self-guided tour

With a 20,000 square-foot student design centre, there’s always something happening in E5. In front of E5, you’ll find an ION stop for the Region’s light rail system, which stretches from Contestoga Mall in North Waterloo to Fairway Road in Kitchener. Nearby, you will also find the University of Waterloo transit station. If you’re a full-time graduate student, your WatCard acts as your transit pass for the Grand River Transit system, including ION.

The Davis Centre Library, located within DC, houses resources for engineering, mathematics, and science, and is one of several libraries on campus operated by the Library. In addition to books, the University Library has many services available for students from any discipline, including: study rooms, copyright experts, equipment loans, workshops, and a variety of online guides covering everything from open access and authors’ rights to entrepreneurship and finding patents.  

DC is also home to a Tim Hortons, located right beside the DC library.

MC is the main building for math students, home to academic support, labs, tutoring, study spaces, student clubs, food options, and more. It also houses the 24/7 Comfy Lounge, a relaxed space for working on assignments, group meetings, and club events. The lounge opens to the MC patio, a sunny spot to unwind or study during warmer weather. Right nearby is the Math Coffee and Donut Shop (Math CnD), a student-run eatery where students can grab food between classes, study, or catch up with friends. MC 5501 is a multipurpose room used for graduate classes, distinguished lectures, PhD defences, and other events. Across the hall, the grad, staff, and faculty lounge offers a place to relax, socialize, enjoy coffee, or play a board game.

The Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre (QNC) is a 285,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art research hub that brings together more than 50 researchers and over 100 graduate students. A highlight of the building is its “honeycomb” architectural feature, inspired by graphene’s hexagonal carbon structure—a nod to the core building block of nanotechnology.

QNC’s specialized facilities support cutting-edge research across quantum and nano sciences. The Quantum NanoFab Facility features an ultra-sterile cleanroom built on a separate foundation so stable that it never vibrates more than a micron. The Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) Facility hosts a Veeco GEN10 MBE system used to create advanced nanomaterials for applications ranging from photonics to quantum computing. Meanwhile, the Metrology Labs offer tools to see, measure, and manipulate materials at the nanoscale, supporting both experimental work and graduate training.

As the only building on campus open 24 hours a day and 365 days of the year, there’s always something happening in the Student Life Centre. Inside, you’ll find study spaces, food, businesses (e.g. CIBC), a climbing wall, a fitness studio, and more. Inside at the Turnkey Desk, you can purchase tickets for a variety of transit systems (e.g. Go transit, GRT). The Graduate Student Association (GSA), which offers many services to graduate students, is also located in SLC, and maintains a Grad Lounge (SLC 3216), which can be used as a study and event space. The Grad Lounge is open daily Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.

With eateries ranging from the Flock Stop (an on-campus convenience store) to Tim Hortons, Jugo Juice, and Brubakers (featuring Pizza Pizza, Subway, Shawarma Hub, and more), there are lots of food and drink options at the SLC! 

Located across the creek, Health Services provides all University of Waterloo students convenient access to health care, right on campus. Within Health Services you will find a student health clinic that offers both walk-in care and regular appointments. Additionally, the Family Health Clinic provides primary medical care for family members of registered students and visiting scholars.

On your way to Needles Hall, keep an eye out for the Starbucks located in the Science Teaching Complex. Plan your coffee breaks wisely, though. This Starbucks gets very busy when classes let out because it’s right outside one of the largest lecture halls.

Needles Hall is a hub for student services. The Centre is on the first floor for all your administrative needs. This is where you can order documents, drop off forms, change your personal information, receive financial advice, and much more. Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, AccessAbility Services and Counselling Services are all also located within Needles Hall. 

This is one of Canada’s greenest buildings and it’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum-certified, a perfect example of Waterloo’s commitment to the environment. Its features include a living wall, green roof, solar panels, and more. Home to a coffee shop and study space, EV3 is a great place to head if you’re looking for a change of scenery while writing, or to find a nice green space in the middle of winter!  

You can find the Ev3rgreen Café on the first floor of EV3, for hot and cold beverages and a large selection of food. 

Located at the centre of campus, the Dana Porter Library supports the arts, humanities, social sciences, and government publications. It’s home to Special Collections & Archives, which preserves rare and fragile materials, and the Geospatial Centre, where students can access print maps, aerial photographs, atlases, GIS data, and dedicated computer workstations.

The building also includes Library Accessibility Services, the Library Office, and Browsers Café, making it a convenient stop for studying, research support, and a quick coffee.

Home to Co-operative Education services and the Centre for Career Action, this building is 100 percent dedicated to helping you launch your career. Use WaterlooWorks to register for the services offered at TC, including one-on-one career advising appointments or workshops to refine your résumé, hone your academic interview skills, craft your cover letter, and more.

Home to the W Store, where you can order textbooks, buy Waterloo swag, and more, SCH is one building that nearly all students visit in their first few days on campus. SCH also has lots of great resources for students including the Student Success Office and the Writing and Communication Centre, all of which offer graduate specific programming or workshops throughout the term.

There are lots of great food and drink options in SCH, including the South Side Marketplace (second floor) and a Tim Hortons (first floor). Grad students especially love the South Side Marketplace for pho and ramen, sushi, and Lebanese cuisine.

The Graduate House, located in the historic Schweitzer Farmhouse on south campus, is a relaxed social hub for the University of Waterloo community, especially graduate students. Operated by the Graduate Student Association (GSA-UW), it’s a popular spot to enjoy a meal, meet with peers, or take a break from the lab or office.

Inside, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere with several versatile spaces: an upper lounge ideal for studying, small presentations, or celebrating milestones; a fully licensed boardroom for meetings; and a multi-functional main floor used for grad-focused events. The main bar area is a friendly place to connect with friends, and the rooftop patio offers a comfortable outdoor space to unwind. The Grad House also hosts social events throughout the year, ranging from trivia nights to casual gatherings, making it a central part of graduate student life.

Columbia Lake Village (CLV) is a diverse townhouse community that offers housing for graduate students and students with families. The benefits of living at CLV include a campus shuttle and Community Centre with programming for you and your family.

The Columbia Icefield is one of Waterloo’s main recreation hubs, offering a wide range of spaces for fitness, sport, and wellness. The facility includes three gymnasiums, an arena, a fitness studio, and a full fitness centre equipped with brand-new machines and training equipment. Outside, CIF features five playing fields as well as a nearby baseball diamond. The additional Field House provides additional indoor turf space, making CIF a versatile spot for both organized athletics and casual recreation.