Future graduate students

Graduate studies in the Faculty of Health

Our graduate programs put scholarship in the context of real-world issues. Whether the end goal is a career in academia or the public or private sector, our programs allow students to explore complex concepts, generate new knowledge and learn from a global network of researchers and organizations.

Our professors collaborate with organizations such as the World Health Organization, Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society to identify health risks, and to advance knowledge, programs and policies to improve quality of life and health across the life course. They are also working with social service agencies, national parks personnel, the World Tourism Organization and other organizations to optimize enhancement of our lives through leisure.

Whether upgrading your education with a course-based master's program, or embarking on a research-based master's or doctoral program, you can look forward to an inspiring, connected and relevant journey of discovery.

Interested in our graduate programs?

Access our Graduate Studies Guide today.

Learn more about our programs, get tips on how to apply, read alumni career stories, watch our latest videos, and more...

Graduate programs

We offer graduate programs that are embedded in each of our academic units;

Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences

Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

School of Public Health Sciences

Coursework-based:

Thesis-based:

Collaborative PhD Aging, Health and Well-Being

This collaborative program offers an interdisciplinary platform to examine issues in aging, health and well-being and spans each of the academic units in the Faculty of Health.

Collaborative PhD Aging, Health and Well-being

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program is also offered by the School of Social Work at Renison University College in collaboration with Waterloo's Faculty of Health.

Graduate resources and opportunities

Waterloo’s Intellectual Property Policy #73

Unlike many other universities in Canada, graduate students and faculty members at the University of Waterloo retain rights to the intellectual property they develop at the university.

Research centres, institutes and groups

There is an ever-growing number of research groups and centres in, or affiliated with, the Faculty of Health. Research centres and groups present an excellent opportunity for you to engage with Waterloo’s academic community, from participating in research projects to attending events and presentations.

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) is responsible for many facets of graduate studies and postdoctoral affairs, including: recruitment, admissions, financial bursaries and awards, records, professional development, degree completion and ongoing community engagement – with graduate students, postdocs, staff and faculty.

Residence for graduate students

Planning to live on campus? Learn more about residence options for graduate students.

Graduate Studies Endowment Fund

Grad students at the University of Waterloo can submit funding proposals to the Graduate Studies Endowment Fund for initiatives that enhance the learning, research, and overall experience of graduate students.

Funding and awards

A variety of scholarships, assistantships, and other forms of financial aid are available for graduate students in the Faculty of Health.

Learn more about our awards and funding opportunities

NOTE: Most of these awards are for full-time, on-campus, research-based graduate students.

Student associations

Enhance your time at the University of Waterloo by joining your student association. It's a great way to meet classmates, collaborate on special events, share resources, and keep up-to-date on happenings in your department/school.

Take a tour

Watch our Faculty of Health video tour to get a feel for our facilities. During the tour, you will see our graduate seminar room where students defend their theses, study spaces, labs, social spaces and more.

Watch video on YouTube

Grad life, from a grad perspective

What does it look like to be a graduate student at the Faculty of Health? Watch our "Life of a Grad Student" video series to see.

Watch video on YouTube

Joseph Skeete (MA Recreation and Leisure Studies, '19) worked with the Fairmont group of hotels to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility initiatives by the hotel chain. Watch Joseph's road trip adventure as he travelled from Waterloo to Alberta to conduct his research in Banff.