Getting started

Exchange

Spend one or two terms exploring a different country and culture, and gain credits toward your degree at one of Waterloo's partner schools. You pay your tuition to Waterloo while experiencing world-class teaching, training and facilities abroad. 

Study abroad

Study abroad while paying fees to your host school. You may be able to study abroad on a letter of permission. Use this form if you're a current University of Waterloo undergraduate student seeking permission to take a course at another university for credit. Check the host school's application process and deadlines before submitting.

The letter of permission is a separate application process and is run through the Registrar’s Office. You will apply directly to your host school using the letter of permission and will get your courses approved by your academic advisor. Talk to your academic advisor about the possibility of receiving transfer credits.  

Please note that within the Faculty of Engineering, letters of permission cannot be used to replace an entire academic term or in place of an exchange agreement.

Summer and short-term programs

Looking for an alternative to a term or year abroad? These shorter programs are culturally immersive experiences that will give you a taste of study and travel. Short-term summer programs last between 2-4 weeks and are often non-credit options. Some programs can be credited towards your Waterloo degree but are subject to academic approval.  

Some programs will allow you to pay tuition to Waterloo, while others will have you pay tuition to the host school. Please contact a Global Learning Coordinator for more guidance.  

Internships

Shape your career path and gain relevant, hands-on experience in a different country. Some internship opportunities qualify for a work term credit. Discuss these options with your Co-operative Education advisor. Please note, not all instructions on the application page apply to internships.  

All students interested in an internship must apply through Waterloo Passport. Please contact a Global Learning Coordinator for more guidance.  

As you research Waterloo Passport for opportunities to go abroad, we recommend that you pay attention to the following topics to make an informed choice.

Matching term dates

It is expected that you study at your host school for the entire duration of their term, including exams. Term dates vary abroad and sometimes overlap with Waterloo’s. If your terms overlap, you will need to take a term off or arrange a shortened work term. Some schools offer early/alternative assessments that will allow you to return to Waterloo early and write a proctored exam in Waterloo.

Ask yourself:

• Do my term dates line up?
• Do I need to arrange a shortened work term, or a term off?

Planning your courses

Going on exchange is an academic experience, so it is important to make sure you can take the courses you need. Consider planning to take more electives during your exchange term to make choosing courses easier. Research the course offerings at your host school to find out what they offer and when, and what language they are taught in. Use this year’s online course descriptions as a guide, but please note that changes may need to be made as programs and courses evolve.

Course loads vary abroad, so you will also need to find out what a full time course load at your host school is and what the credit weights are for the courses you want to take. You will find links to course calendars on the program pages in Waterloo Passport for the host schools you’re interested in, and your faculty exchange representative and academic advisor can help you determine equivalencies. Course availability is never a guarantee, so make sure you choose some alternatives in case your first choices are not available to you.  

Ask yourself:

• What courses does the host school offer and when are they available?
• What language are courses taught in?
• What is considered a full time course load at the host school?
• What are the credit weights?

Ranking Strategy for your application

Each host school is given a colour to help you better strategize how you rank the host schools in your application.

Colour code	Ranking meaning
	First-Choice Only Rank #1 only — high demand, limited spots  Unlikely to be matched if not ranked #1  Include number of spots
	Flexible Ranking (1-4) Can be ranked anywhere (#1–4)  Flexible option for your list  Include number of spots

Ask yourself:

• Did I choose a mix of red and green schools?  
• Are any of my second, third or fourth choices a red “First-Choice Only” school? If so, swap it out for a green school.  
• Have I selected a variety of schools and destinations? For example, more than two schools and more than one destination. 
• Do I understand the matching process? If not, read about how it works.

Checking your eligibility

Waterloo's requirements

Undergraduate students should aim to apply during their second year for departure in their 3A or 3B term. Students who plan to go on exchange during their fourth year of studies must consult with their academic advisor and their global learning coordinator to discuss the possibility of delaying their graduation. You should also review your faculty's requirements: 

• Arts

• Engineering

• Environment

• Health

• Mathematics

• Science   

Host school requirements

While researching, focus on schools for which you meet the requirements. You should pay close attention to minimum overall average and language requirements. Check the requirements section of the program pages on Waterloo Passport for the schools you are interested in to see if you are eligible. Some exchange programs also require you to be in a specific program of study at Waterloo. Check the requirements section of the program pages on Waterloo Passport for the schools you are interested in to see if you are eligible.

Ask yourself:

• When should I apply for an international experience? 
• What is the minimum overall average?
• What are the language requirements?
• Do I need to be in a specific faculty to apply to this school?

Planning to graduate on time

It is recommended that you go abroad during third year, because any later may delay your graduation. For one, course availability cannot be guaranteed at the host school. If you are not able to get the courses you need, you may have to stay an extra term at Waterloo.

Even if you get all the courses you need, it can take months for your transcript to arrive from your host school and your transfer credits to be added to your Waterloo record. Going abroad in your final winter term will not allow for spring (June) convocation, even though you will probably be finished your exchange by then.

Ask yourself:

• Am I planning an exchange term that will still allow me to graduate on time?
• Is it important to me that I graduate on time? 

How matching with a host school works?

We aim to match you to one of your selected schools. However: 

• Exchange spots are limited 

• Demand changes each year 

• A match is not guaranteed — even with a strong GPA 

 You can list up to 4 schools, in order of preference.  

• Your first choice can either be a red ‘First-Choice Only’ or green ‘Flexible Ranking 1-4)’ school 

• Second, third and fourth choices should only be green ‘First-Choice Only’ schools for the best matching strategy. 

We always start by reviewing each student’s first choice. Spaces at ‘First-Choice Only’ schools are likely to fill before we start looking at students’ next choices. 

We cannot predict your chances of a match or provide a GPA cutoff for a school. 

What factors affect your match?

Matching is based on faculty endorsement and available space at each host institution. Factors considered include:

• The number of students from your faculty who apply
• The number of spaces available at the host school
• Faculty or program restrictions set by the host school
• Your faculty endorsement, program, and GPA relative to other applicants
• Any additional host-school requirements

Important: GPA is one factor used to rank applicants, but it does not guarantee a match.

How Rankings Are Considered

• We review all #1 rankings first.
• First-Choice Only schools are often filled during this stage.
• Flexible Ranking (1–4) schools may still have space available for lower-ranked applicants.

What this means:

• Ranking a school #1 does not guarantee a match.
• Even strong applicants may not receive their first choice.
• A balanced ranking strategy can improve your chances.

A Note on GPA

We know GPA can feel stressful. However, matching depends on several factors, including:

• Demand from other students
• Available spaces
• Faculty, program, and host-school restrictions

Not receiving your top choice is often a matter of availability, not ability.

Please note: We cannot predict your chances of matching to a specific school or provide a GPA cutoff in advance.

Planning Your Rankings

To improve your chances:

• Include at least one Flexible Ranking (1–4) school.
• Be realistic about highly competitive destinations.
• Rank schools carefully in your true order of preference.
• Only select schools you would genuinely attend.
• Avoid listing First-Choice Only schools in rankings 2–4.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many schools can I select?
  • You may select up to four schools in order of preference.
  • You are not required to use all four choices.
  • Only choose schools you would actually attend.
• What if I don't match with any of my choices?
  • You will be notified.
  • If spaces remain at other institutions, you may have an opportunity to apply for available schools.
• Can I join a waitlist for a school I originally wanted?
  • No. We do not maintain waitlists.
• What happens if I decline my match?
  • You will not be reconsidered for another match in that application cycle.
• What if I want to withdraw from the exchange program?
  • Email studyabroad@uwaterloo.ca to let us know you would like to withdraw.

Important: Please Read Carefully: You may submit a maximum of two applications, only if you plan to participate in more than one term of exchange. Any submissions that do not follow the rules below will be deleted, and your exchange request may not be considered.

You have two possible pathways, and you must choose only one:

1. Option A:

Submit two applications total:

• One for a Summer exchange
• One for a One‑Term exchange

2. Option B:

Submit two applications total:

• One application for a One‑Term exchange at Institution A (select up to 4 schools)
• One application for a One‑Term exchange at Institution B (select up to 4 schools)

You cannot mix these pathways. You cannot submit more than two applications. Any extra or incorrectly formatted applications will be removed.

If you want a one-term exchange (Fall or Winter or Spring): 

• Submit ONE application only 

• Choose up to 4 schools 

• All schools in that application must offer the same term 

• Example: 
  • Tsinghua University Exchange Program – Fall 2027  

• • Nanyang Technological University Exchange Program – Fall 2027

• • The University of Warwick Exchange Program – Fall 2027  

• • University of Birmingham Exchange Program – Fall 2027

If you’re open to either Fall or Winter or Spring and don’t have a strong preference: 

• Submit ONE application only 

• Choose up to 4 schools offering Fall and/or Winter 

• You’ll be matched to one school for one term, based on availability 

• Example: 
  • Tsinghua University Exchange Program – Fall 2027  

• • Nanyang Technological University Exchange Program – Winter 2028

• • The University of Warwick Exchange Program – Fall 2027  

• • University of Birmingham Exchange Program – Winter 2028

If you want a two-term exchange at the same school (Fall + Winter = 8 months): 

• Submit ONE application only 

• Choose up to 4 schools that offer two-term options 

• Example: 

• Tsinghua University Exchange Program – Fall 2027 & Winter 2028

• Nanyang Technological University Exchange Program – Fall 2027 & Winter 2028

• The University of Warwick Exchange Program – Fall 2027 & Winter 2028 

• University of Birmingham Exchange Program – Fall 2027 & Winter 2028 

If you’re applying for two separate exchanges at two different institutions, each application must follow the term rules: 

• If you want Fall 2027, all four schools in that application must listFall 2027.
  • Tsinghua University Exchange Program – Fall 2027  

• • Nanyang Technological University Exchange Program – Fall 2027

• • The University of Warwick Exchange Program – Fall 2027  

• • University of Birmingham Exchange Program – Fall 2027

• If you want Winter 2028, all four schools must list Winter 2028. 
  • Czech Technical University -Winter 2028
  • Heriot-Watt University- Winter 2028
  • Istanbul Technical University- Winter 2028
  • Lingnan University Exchange- Winter 2028

Important: 

• You cannot submit two separate applications for the same school. 

• You can submit two applications only if you plan to go to two different schools, or you plan to participate in a summer exchange + a one term exchange.

• No exceptions will be made to these rules. 

Please decide whether you want: 

• A one-term exchange 

• A two-term exchange at the same school 

• A two-term exchange at different schools (requires two applications) 
• A summer exchange + a one term exchange

Budgeting for the cost of living

When researching the cost of living in a region or city, consider rent, food, transportation and entertainment costs. Check the costs section of the program pages on Waterloo Passport for the schools you are interested in to learn about the cost of living at each school.

There are ways to make spending a term abroad more affordable. Check out our suggestions for how to pay for it below.

Ask yourself:

• What is the cost of rent, food, transportation and entertainment costs?
• What scholarships, awards and other financial aid can I apply for?

Reviewing housing options

At many host schools, you will have the option to live off campus or in university-managed accommodation. Your host school will often send you information about accommodation options when it is time to apply, but you can still look into your options ahead of time. Consider how far you will be from campus, the costs, whether or not it is furnished, and whether or not it includes a meal plan. Do not assume the type of housing you want will be available everywhere.

Ask yourself:

• How far do I want to live from campus?
• How much will it cost?
• Do I want extra amenities, like a furnished room or a meal plan?

Wellness planning

A key part of your planning should be centered on your personal wellness. Think about what you will need to be as successful abroad as you are at home. At Waterloo, there is a culture of promoting wellness, both physical and mental, that takes into consideration the environment around you. Internationally, the support for this type of programming will look different.

To best help you research the wellness resources at universities for your exchange, Waterloo Passport has a dedicated "wellness planning" section for each university.

If you are registered with AccessAbility Services, make sure you look into what accommodations will be available abroad. The global learning team can help you identify these resources as needed, and you can work with AccessAbility Services to make a plan before you go.

Even if you are not registered with AccessAbility Services, consider any conditions you regularly manage at home that could require attention while you are abroad, like repeating prescriptions, regular counselling/medical appointments, and access to physically accessible spaces.

You should also consider how you might manage an unexpected change to your wellness while you are away. This includes an unexpected illness or injury, physical or mental.

No matter what, you should think about who your support is, both in country and at home, to help you maintain your wellness while you are away.

Ask yourself:

• Are the types of accommodations I require available at the host school?
• How will I manage my physical and mental health while I’m abroad?

• What supports do I need to arrange to help me be well while I’m abroad?

It's hard to predict how global events will affect mobility programs for the current and upcoming academic years. 

We encourage you to approach planning for an exchange with optimism but keep in mind the realities of global events.

Your exchange may be cancelled by Waterloo or your host school if conditions globally, at your host institution, or in your host country are not safe. If your exchange is cancelled, we'll be sure to notify you and let you know what your options are, including issuing you a refund for your application fee.