FAQs - Mathematics/English Language for Academic Studies (Math/ELAS)

An official English language test score is required for admission. Your offer of admission may be withdrawn if all the conditions are not met. All students whose first language is not English and who have not studied in an English language school for at least four years (before you begin at UWaterloo) must satisfy this requirement.
For more information, visit UWaterloo's admission requirements and English language requirements for Faculty of Mathematics.

Students may feel disappointed that they did not receive an offer of admission to their original choice in mathematics or computer science plan. However, many students are in a similar situation and accept our alternative offer of admission.

Since your academic background indicates that you have the potential to do very well in our mathematics or computer science plan, you have been offered a place in our Math/ELAS program. Through this program, you will improve your English language skills, which will greatly increase your chances for success at university. Students report that they are glad they had the chance and choose the University of Waterloo.

Students who are strong in mathematics but weaker in English are given the opportunity to enter this university by successfully improving their English language skills through the Math/ELAS program.
Upon successfully completing the Math/ELAS program, students would be eligible for full-time enrolment to a regular plan within the Faculty of Mathematics.

Level four (IV) - The one term (four months) Math/ELAS program is offered during the:

• Fall - September to December

• *Summer - July and August (8-week)

Students must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 5.5-6.5, or English language test result of - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 64-89 overall Internet-Based Test (IBT), to be eligible for the Math/ELAS program.

*Summer program is an eight-week intensive English language program: Summer Intensive English Language for Academic Studies (IELAS). This is the same English language program that students in our Level IV - Math/ELAS program take, but it is an intensive English program condensed into eight weeks, and no UWaterloo math course is taken. You would apply on your own for this special intensive program.

Only those students who have applied to the Faculty of Mathematics and received a conditional offer of admission for the fall term, will have the option to take either the summer intensive program or proceed in the Level IV Math/ELAS program for September. Fees and application is handled separately and paid to Conestoga College.
Note: A separate application form, fees and process is required for the summer intensive program.

Level IV of Math/ELAS is four months (one academic term).

Once you has successfully completed our Math/ELAS program, you qualify to proceed in full-time degree studies in a regular program within the Faculty of Mathematics, in the next academic term.

No - Students who are in the Math/ELAS program are not eligible to take other courses while registered in this program.  The program is not designed to take additional courses on-campus.  You will have assignments, tests, reading and other details that will need to be successfully completed to qualify for full-time degree studies in the Faculty of Mathematics.

You are allowed to take only one UWaterloo mathematics course (MATH 137 - Calculus), which would count towards your BMath or BCS degree, while here at the University of Waterloo.

The five English language courses are offered each day Monday through Friday at the Conestoga College's Waterloo campus and are scheduled around your MATH course taken at UWaterloo.

A few students may be granted transfer credit for Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) or A-Level courses with specific grades. The Registrar's Office sends detailed information to students who fit in this category. These students must have their MATH course time-slotted for 8:30 - 9:20 am (i.e. MATH 135 or 138).

See a sample timetable - Math/ELAS courses.

Applicants will be able to respond online, to offers of admission from Ontario universities using the “Review and Change Your Completed Application” feature on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.

To accept or decline your offer of admission, visit the OUAC website:

1. Ontario secondary school students or all other undergraduate applicants
2. Click on "Review and Change Your Completed Application".
3. Follow the instructions to accept or decline an offer.

If clicking on "accept" does not work, you will need to contact UWaterloo Registrar's Office-Admissions directly at myapplication@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 33106.

Your response must reach OUAC by the date shown on your offer of admission.

You will have 14 days after the date, on your offer of admission form, to confirm that you are accepting (or declining) your offer. You must respond to OUAC with your decision no later than the expiry date, that is specified with your offer. You can accept admission to only one university at a time.
If you are accepted to more than one program at UWaterloo, you may accept only one of these offers. We will confirm this program for your future course enrollment before your next term.

If you wish to re-accept an offer you previously cancelled, contact our Registrar's Office - Admissions Section or international recruitment and admissions co-ordinator, to see if you can still be considered or whether a new offer should be issued, or to see if spaces are still available.

Please provide your full name and OUAC/UWaterloo ID numbers with your inquiry for proper verification.

Remember, many programs and spaces do fill up. The later you wish to change universities, the more difficult it is likely to be.

Math/ELAS students are required to be enrolled in only 1- MATH course at the University of Waterloo. MATH 137 - Calculus for Honours Mathematics,
You will however, be automatically scheduled into five English Language courses, taught at Conestoga College (Waterloo campus).

Note: Students that received transfer credit for MATH 137 should enroll in MATH 135 - Algebra.

You will be attending classes at two-separate campuses, as this program is coordinated through both the Faculty of Mathematics and the nearby Conestoga College's Waterloo campus.

Your MATH course is held at the University of Waterloo, each Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 to 9:20 am in the Mathematics & Computer Building (MC), that may include a tutorial (if applicable).

You will pickup your timetable for the English Language courses on the first day of classes at Conestoga College. These English language time-slots will not show on our Quest system, along with your UWaterloo MATH course.

As a Math/ELAS student you can only take one-math course, along with the four English Language courses, to satisfy the Math/ELAS program. In addition, students will also take one elective course at Conestoga College, which will allow you to put into practice your newly acquired English language skills.
These English language courses are scheduled around the UWaterloo MATH course and tutorial sections.

Our campuses are not on the same scheduling system, therefore you will not see the ELAS class schedule on your UWaterloo Quest account - only your UWaterloo MATH course will be shown.

The English language courses, which includes; Reading, Writing, Pronunciation, as well as Listening & Speaking, are held at the nearby Conestoga College's Waterloo campus. You will be attending classes at two separate campuses.

See a sample timetable - Math/ELAS courses.

You will receive your timetable for your English Language courses on the first day of classes at Conestoga College.

Math/ELAS students are expected to continue their full-time studies in the term immediately following successful completion of the Math/ELAS program.

This is so you have a much better chance of retaining your newly acquired English language skills and put into practice. Plus this is also indicated in your Offer of Admission letter.

Please note that your fee statement is available online only; you will not receive a separate statement in the mail.

Full details of your account will be available through Quest (UWaterloo's online enrolment system), your primary source of current and up-to-date individual financial account information.

After you are enrolled in your class(es), you will be able to view your fee statement in Quest. If you do not have access to the Internet, call 519-888-4567, ext. 33611 or 33374 or email sfaccnts@uwaterloo.ca.

The preferred payment method is the electronic bank process - Travelex bank to bank transfer. Regrettably, we do not accept credit card payments, personal cheque or cash.

For any inquiries about your fees or payment instructions, contact Finance, Student Accounts office, 519-888-4567, ext. 38466, or email sfaccnts@uwaterloo.ca.

Please be sure to include your full name, student UWaterloo ID number, program of study and that payment is for tuition fees. Detailed fee payment instructions, can be found at Finance (Student Accounts) website.

Note: Wire transfers may take several days to arrive to our Canadian bank account. When funds arrive, it may also take several more days for processing and to be posted to the student account. To track payment, please inquire with the issuing bank.

Program Coordinator
Ms. Judy Reidt
Faculty of Mathematics
MC 4019B
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 33246
Email Judy Reidt

For general inquiries during the application and admission process contact: Email Math Info or call 519-888-4567, ext. 36284 (3MATH).

For a detailed response you may submit inquiries by email. Please be sure to provide adequate academic background information with your initial request.