Renison University College

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Come experience the University of Waterloo with Renison University College in a supportive academic community where everyone can follow their passion. You will also have the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of each individual that walks through our halls as being part of a close-knit residence community consisting of 207 people.

Discover why studying at Renison is such a rewarding experience. You can check out the credit programs on offer for undergraduate, postgraduate, and graduate programs. You can also look into our Community and Professional Education programming.

This site contains information on course prerequisites, residence, and a variety of supports Renison offers to students such as course selection and accommodation. We aim to make studying at Renison a great learning experience as well as one in which you’ll make new friends and enjoy a great lifestyle in a great city, Waterloo.

If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What is a University College?

The University Colleges are located on Waterloo's main campus and offer courses as well as residences. All 4 are much smaller than Waterloo Residences, which means you'll get to know almost everyone!

You'll study or live in a smaller community, have access to all services and facilities on the main campus, and earn a valuable University of Waterloo degree.

What makes Renison unique?

If you're looking for a smaller, close-knit residence or academic home base that is a five-minute walk to most buildings at Waterloo, then Renison University College (Renison) may be for you!

Renison is a smaller community with its own character and distinctive programs where you can get involved and contribute.

Students in any program can take classes or live at a University College – or both!
Smaller community with residence rooms for 220 students with the lowest Don to student ratio on campus (1:20).
Most spaces for first-year students are in traditional-style rooms.
A five swipe per day meal plan (largest meal plan at Waterloo) rather than the declining-debit WatCard dollars used by Waterloo Residences.

Territorial acknowledgement

Renison University College acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional territory of ‎the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometers on each side of the Grand River.

News

Apr. 25, 2019Study finds more than half of university students feel they need better basic skills to succeed – including those in Waterloo
After surveying over 2000 post-secondary students, researchers from four Canadian universities found that more than half of the students feel that they lack competence in the basic skills needed to succeed at university. Areas of perceived deficiency included writing, test taking, analysis, time and group management, research, presentation and numeracy skills.
Apr. 25, 2019Dr. Doug Cowan Honoured with University of Waterloo Research Award
Yesterday, on April 24, 2019, the annual Arts Awards for Service, Teaching and Research were presented to faculty, staff and students who have made exceptional contributions the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo. This year, Renison’s own Dr. Doug Cowan was recognized with an Arts Award for Excellence in Research.
Apr. 17, 2019New Study Finds Celebrity Fat-Shaming Harmful to Overall Population’s Body Image
A newly published study from McGill University has found that celebrity fat shaming has a significant impact on the wider population’s view of weight. The study suggests that instances where a celebrity has been the subject of fat-shaming in the media, have far-reaching impact and negatively affect the way that women in the wider population view their own bodies, causing an increase in negative implicit bias against certain body types.

Read all news

Events

June 22, 2019Sufism and Spiritual Healing - Free Event!
Saturday, June 22, 2019

4-6pm | Dunker Family Lounge

Renison University College

Refreshments provided.

Please RSVP to renison.events@uwaterloo.ca