Come to Waterloo - undergraduate applications

Undergraduate exchange eligibility 

In order to participate in an international exchange program, you must be enrolled at one of the University of Waterloo's Exchange Partner institutions. Your home university will determine if you are eligible to participate in an exchange program, so you must contact the exchange office at your home university prior to completing the online exchange application. Credit for courses that are successfully completed are normally transferable towards the degree from their home university.

To meet the eligibility requirements, students applying for the undergraduate exchange program must:

• be currently enrolled at one of University of Waterloo’s Exchange Partner institutions,
• be nominated by their home institution as an Exchange applicant, and
• meet University of Waterloo’s undergraduate English language proficiency (or equivalent).

However, exchange architecture students must also have:

• completed at least two years of study (equivalent to 4 terms/5 terms is ideal) prior to the commencement of exchange, and
• a 75% overall cumulative average or equivalent at their home institution (this is an increase from the standard 70% overall asked of general undergraduate exchange students).

Application procedure 

First, the exchange coordinator from your home university must submit the online student nomination form. Once they have done so, you must follow these three steps:

1. Submit your online application

All incoming undergraduate non-degree exchange students must complete the University of Waterloo's International Incoming Exchange Program Application. There is no application fee for students applying as an incoming exchange student.

When completing the online application, you are responsible for submitting correct and complete information. If you have attended multiple post-secondary institutions, you will need to list them all and provide transcripts. As part of this step, you will need to list the courses you want to take during your first exchange term. Visit our course selection guide for assistance. 

2. Create your Quest account

Within five business days of completing your application, you will receive a welcome email with instructions for claiming your identity and creating your Quest account. 

3. Upload your supporting documents in Quest

The following supporting documents are required:

• Official transcript(s) including the grading scale, saved as one PDF file per institution attended
• Photocopy of your passport identification page
• Personal statement explaining your reasons for wanting to participate in exchange at Waterloo, and how it relates to your academic endeavours and career goals
• A list of courses you are currently taking/will be taking at your home school before beginning your exchange
• A digital copy of your English language proficiency scores or equivalent documentation supporting your language proficiency
• Architecture applicants are also required to submit a portfolio by email to studyabroad@uwaterloo.ca
• Admission Information Form (AIF) is not required for exchange applications

Need help? Review the Quest upload instructions.

Deadlines for student applicants

To be considered, your application must be submitted in full by the deadlines indicated. 

Admission results

We aim to email all offers of admission to students within eight weeks of the application deadline.

Contact us

Email your questions to Tara Dosman, Global Learning Coordinator.