Types of admission

Standard admission is for new graduate students, including recently graduated or and soon-to-be-new undergraduate degree holders from Waterloo. Standard admission simply means you are interested in applying to a graduate program, you understand and meet or exceed the minimum admissions requirements for the program you're applying to.

Unless you intend to apply using one of the alternative pathways below, you're applying for standard admission.

The University of Waterloo endorses the concept and recognizes Accelerated Master’s Programs at the undergraduate level. Accelerated Master's programs are open to current, Waterloo undergraduate students only.

If you are considering graduate studies, consider reviewing the Accelerated Master's Programs details on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Graduate students interested in doctoral or research master’s studies that span multiple disciplines can pursue a joint research degree program, provided both participating departments at the University of Waterloo offer the desired degree level.

If you are contemplating a joint interdisciplinary research program, it is strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors in both programs to determine program eligibility before you apply. You will ultimately have two supervisors: one in your home department and one in your joint department. 

Process:  

Apply to one of the programs comprising the joint program – this will be the home department/program. Full details are available in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

For more information, please connect with the program graduate co-ordinator for your primary program of interest. 

Exceptional master's applicants may be considered for direct-entry to the PhD program from a bachelor’s program.

For more information please contact the Department Graduate Co-ordinator.

When to apply as non-degree:

• You have already earned an Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the appropriate discipline
• You want to take one or more graduate courses but are not interested in earning a degree

Before you apply:

• Confirm with the academic unit that offers the course(s) you are interested in taking, to ensure they admit non-degree students
• Confirm with the academic unit what application materials are required when applying as a non-degree student

It is important to know:

• Courses taken as non-degree may not be used for credit toward a degree in a graduate program
• If you decide to proceed to a degree you will pay fees according to your category at that time
• You will not normally be granted full-time status as a non-degree student

When to apply for readmission:

• You were previously enrolled in a Waterloo graduate program but did not complete it

Before you apply:

• Confirm with your academic unit what application materials are required when applying for readmission

It is important to know:

• If you reapply to a program and are approved for readmission you will be required to register for a minimum of one full term, without tuition refund, to complete program

• The online application asks if you are applying to return to a previous incomplete graduate program
  • choose Yes for readmission

The University of Waterloo will consider Indigenous lived experiences of applicants from Turtle Island for admissions. 

Learn more about admissions for Indigenous students.