The University of Waterloo Study Abroad program is available to students currently studying at an accredited institution outside of Canada. Study abroad students are able to study at the University of Waterloo for one or two terms as non-degree fee-paying students. Credit for courses that are successfully completed is normally transferable towards the degree from their home institution.
Want to study abroad at Waterloo? Here are the basics you need to know. For more information, contact a Global Learning Coordinator.
In order to be eligible, students applying for the study abroad program must:
If you don't attend a University of Waterloo partner institution, you may apply to the University of Waterloo as an international visiting graduate student or a full degree student.
Restrictions
The following programs are restricted for study abroad students: Business (BUS), Arts and Business (ARBUS), Environment and Business (ENBUS), Science and Business (SCIBUS), Accounting & Financial Management, Fine Arts, Drama & Speech Communication, Digital Arts Communication, Architecture, Optometry, Pharmacy, Professional Development for Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Actuarial Science, Statistics.
Additional course restrictions may apply, which are determined by the respective academic units.
First, you must speak with your home university. If they support your plan to study abroad at the University of Waterloo, they will nominate you for the program. After you have been successfully nominated, you must complete the incoming study abroad program application. This application will only be made available to you via your home university. In order to submit the application, you must pay a non-refundable application fee of $95 CAD. Please note, the study abroad program is only open to incoming undergraduate students from partner universities.
Submitting your application
Once your application is complete, print the summary form and submit it to your home university's International Office for approval. Once approved, your home university will forward the completed application as well as all required documents to the University of Waterloo. The following supporting documents must be included with your application summary form.
Complete applications and nominations should be forwarded to the global learning coordinator as 1 PDF file per student via email.
Applications must be received by the following dates:
|
Admission term |
Application deadline |
|---|---|
|
Fall 2020: September - December |
April 1, 2020 |
|
Winter 2021: January - April |
September 20, 2020 |
|
Spring 2021: May - August |
December 1, 2020 |
You will be required to list your course selections for your first term of study on the application form. Prior to filling out the application, ensure that you follow these three steps:
Additional course restrictions may apply. Your course selections will be reviewed with your application, and you will be informed of your course approvals in your offer of admission package.
At the University of Waterloo two terms of study are equivalent to a full academic year, although we operate on a trimester system with fall, winter, and spring terms.
The full-time course load is 5 courses per term (equivalent to 2.5 credits) with a minimum of 3 courses per term (equivalent to 1.5 credits). Most of our courses are assessed as a credit of 0.5 and are approximately 39 teaching hours per term. One undergraduate course at 0.5 credits is equivalent to 6 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Details of specific credit weights and teaching hours per course are available via our undergraduate schedule of classes.
Please refer to our undergraduate calendar for information regarding our grading system.
All incoming students must have sufficient English language skills to be successful in their program of study. You may be required to meet Waterloo's English language requirements prior to admission to the study abroad program.
If you would like to improve your English language skills, the English Language Institute (ELI) at Renison University College is Waterloo's home for English language classes. You can visit ELI to register for credit courses in spoken, or written English, or to find out more about how to increase your English language proficiency.
As a study abroad student you will be assessed tuition fees per term based on your program of study at the University of Waterloo. Your program of study will be determined by your course selections. All fees are approximate in Canadian funds and subject to change.
|
Faculty or Program |
Program fee (per term) |
|---|---|
|
Arts (ARTS) |
$ 10,000 |
|
Engineering (ENG) |
$ 15,500 |
|
Environment (ENV) |
$ 10,000 |
|
Health |
$ 10,000 |
|
Mathematics (MATH) |
$ 11,000 |
|
Science (SCI) |
$ 10,500 |
Every term you study at Waterloo, you will be assessed for incidental fees, which include mandatory health insurance and a student services fee that provides unlimited access to the regional transit system. All fees are approximate in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Student Financial Services will post your fees on your Quest account approximately one month prior to the beginning of term, and you must pay your fees before arriving at Waterloo.
You will be enrolled in two health insurance plans while you're studying abroad in Canada. The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) covers basic health care services, such as medical doctor appointments, hospital visits, and most diagnostic tests. The Studentcare extended Health and Dental Plan covers extra costs like prescription drugs, paramedical practitioners, vision, and dental care. You can opt out of the extended health and dental insurance if you meet the criteria and can prove that you have equivalent coverage. Applications for UHIP exemption are only considered if you meet the criteria outlined on the UHIP website.
Study abroad students are not eligible for on-campus accommodations and will be required to make arrangements for off-campus housing. Waterloo Co-operative Residence Inc. (WCRI) is a very convenient option located right next to campus. You can also search the Off-Campus Housing listing service.
As of September 7, 2021, if you received a full series of COVID-19 vaccinations accepted by the Government of Canada, you can now travel to Canada as a visitor for non-essential reasons, like for a study abroad program of six months or less, as long as all other requirements are met. There are limited reasons someone could still travel to Canada unvaccinated. If you are going to be studying at Waterloo for two terms or more, than a letter of introduction that shows approval of a study permit is required to enter Canada.
If you are not a citizen of the United States, you'll also need either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada depending on your country of citizenship. If you are applying for a study permit, this entry document would be issued to you with a study permit approval.
As a study abroad student, you can work on campus (no limitations on hours per week) if you have a valid study permit with work eligibility stated on it and you’re registered in a full-time course load. You are not permitted to work off campus. If you are going to study at Waterloo for only one term, you still need to apply for a study permit if you would like to work on campus while studying. In your study permit application, it's important that you include a letter of explanation to clarify why you are applying for a study permit for one term of study. If you receive approval for a study permit, and wish to work on campus during your studies, you need to verify that the study permit has the R186(f) work condition for campus work stated on it when it is issued to you at the airport.
Please review the FAQs on Waterloo's COVID-19 Information website to ensure you're eligible to enter Canada based on the most up-to-date travel restrictions and check out the immigration applications webpage for additional resources. Contact one of University of Waterloo's immigration consultants for free if you have questions.
The International Student Experience (ISE) team is your connection to the University of Waterloo. Our friendly, knowledgeable, and supportive staff are here to help you every step of the way as you transition into a new life in Canada and become a part of the campus community. The International Peer Community is one ISE program you might be interested in joining.
The International and Canadian Student Network (ICSN) is an on-campus, student-run service that runs weekly events on-campus and monthly trips where you can explore some of the great attractions Ontario has to offer.
Our student unions, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (undergraduate) and Graduate Student Association(graduate), will also keep you busy throughout the term with a huge variety of clubs and events.
Cheer on our Waterloo Warriors, or stay active yourself with Waterloo Athletics.
Exchange and Study Abroad Orientation is an opportunity for new students to experience a balanced introduction to the academic, social and community aspects of university life with the guidance and support of upper-year students. You’ll receive more information about orientation, including registration information, after you’re admitted.
Once your term(s) are complete at the University of Waterloo, it is important that you settle any outstanding fees before you leave campus. If you have any fees owing on your account, your University of Waterloo transcript will not be issued until the fees are settled. You can verify your finances through Quest.
Your official Waterloo transcript will be automatically issued in electronic format to your home institution approximately two months following the end of your study term to be used for credit transfer purposes. Your home institution's coordinator should inform you when the transcripts have been received.
The International Student Guide has tips on living in Waterloo, getting ready for classes and adjusting to Canadian culture, which can help you feel prepared and know what to expect.
South Campus Hall, second floor
University of Waterloo
519-888-4567 ext. 84410
Book a same-day appointment on Portal or submit an online inquiry to receive immigration support.
Request an authorized leave from studies for immigration purposes.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
