University of Waterloo Financial requirement Financial guarantee There is no specific requirement. amount
Brief overview of the university The University of Waterloo, founded in July 1957, has long been recognized as the most innovative university in Canada. Waterloo is committed to advancing learning and knowledge through teaching, research and scholarship in its six faculties: Applied Health Sciences, Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics, and Science, and in our federated university and affiliated colleges: St. Jerome’s University, Conrad Grebel University College, Renison University College, and St. Paul's United College.
The faculties are also home base to seven professional schools: Accountancy, Architecture, Balsillie School of International Affairs (Arts), Computer Science, Optometry, Planning and Pharmacy. The School of Pharmacy, anchors a new Kitchener Health Sciences Campus that includes a satellite of McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
UW has the largest post-secondary co-operative education program in the world, and our students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to solve today’s complex and pressing problems and to embrace future challenges. Waterloo is a research-intensive university; we’re committed to discovering new knowledge and finding ways to use that knowledge for the benefit of all. We are the national leader in the transfer of ideas and technology to the private sector.
More Canadian high-tech and knowledge-based spin-off companies trace their roots to the University of Waterloo than to any other school. Waterloo campus is located on 1000-acre land in Waterloo, our School of Architecture Campus is located in Cambridge and the School of Pharmacy is located in Kitchener. Waterloo has over 28,000 full and part time undergrad students and over 4,400 full and part time graduate students.
For more info please visit: https://uwaterloo.ca/about/ ‘Waterloo Facts’
Academic matters Academic strengths University of Waterloo is a comprehensive university. We offer over 100 undergraduate programs, 60 Master Programs and 30 Doctoral Programs; interdisciplinary and independents studies programs; through distance education we offer 250 courses in almost 50 subject areas leading to 3 degrees with 20% of them completely on-line; more than half of our students are registered in co- op, and can choose from over 100 Co-op Education Programs; we excel in international competitions; offer over 150 exchange programs
Restricted/closed Some courses are restricted to exchange students. These restrictions are determined by the Departments respective academic department/faculty. You will be informed of your course approvals once your application has been processed. List of restricted courses: https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/students/study-abroad-and-exchanges/come- waterloo/exchange/restricted-courses-undergraduate
Can I pre-register for Yes – When the student is nominated and applies online, they list a set of courses they intend to classes before enrol in (it is recommended the student list up to 8 courses per term to allow for scheduling arrival? conflicts, restrictions and availability).
If yes, please give Once you have been admitted to Waterloo and you have received your UW student ID number, details you can access the student information system QUEST https://uwaterloo.ca/quest/
Courses that you listed on your application form will be added on your QUEST if they have been approved and no time conflicts exist or other restrictions as noted above. You will be able to view your schedule on QUEST.
Link(s) to detailed Detailed information about the course selection process for exchange students, including links to subject or course course descriptions and the Schedule of Classes: descriptions: https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/students/study-abroad-and-exchanges/come- waterloo/exchange/undergraduate-course-selection
Semester dates Fall – September to December Winter – January to April Spring – May to August
Please visit the following webpages for information on forthcoming semester dates: https://uwaterloo.ca/quest/undergraduate-students/important-dates
Housing Guaranteed Housing is not guaranteed. Exchange students can live on-campus during the Winter and Spring housing? terms, and during the Fall if they will be staying for 8 months. The Off-Campus Housing office will assist incoming exchange students to find off-campus accommodation if needed. When you receive your Waterloo student ID number you can apply for housing. Housing options for exchange students are listed at https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/students/study-abroad- and-exchanges/come-waterloo/exchange (under Housing)
If no, is on campus If on-campus housing is not available our professional housing staff will provide assistance in finding housing readily very suitable off-campus housing. Housing availability for the Fall term is more critical for exchange available? students, but for Winter and Spring terms housing is more readily available.
When is housing Housing information will be sent with the offer of admission. information sent?
Link to housing https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/students/study-abroad-and-exchanges/come- website waterloo/exchange (under Housing)
Brief details See above
Allocation process See above
Application information Which month of the year are March onwards applications processed? See this link for more information: https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/students/study-abroad-and- exchanges/come-waterloo/undergraduate-applications
Applications are processed after the deadline or in some cases prior to the deadline where applicable
Which month of the year do you We work to send all offers of admission to home universities by email within 2 send out offer letters? months of the application deadlines.
Immigration information Which month of the year do you Students should apply for a study permit once they receive their admission hope to send immigration documents; further information will be provided at that time. Also, refer to documents? https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/students/international-student- resources/immigration-documents and https://uwaterloo.ca/student- success/students/study-abroad-and-exchanges/come-waterloo/exchange
Where can I find further www.cic.gc.ca/ information about immigration?
Pre-arrival information Which is your nearest Pearson International Airport in Toronto airport?
Do you offer an airport pick Yes, on specific days/times. The International Student Experience Office sends out up programme? information on this service in early August https://uwaterloo.ca/international-students/new-students/travelling
Do you have an orientation Yes, further information will be provided with the admission documents. programme?
Is the orientation program Yes mandatory?
How much does the There is no cost. orientation program cost?
What are the orientation Dates are confirmed with the admission documents. program dates?
Link for a website for https://uwaterloo.ca/orientation/exchange-and-study-abroad-students further details
Health Insurance Do you have mandatory health Yes – UHIP and the Extended Health and Dental Plan insurance?
Brief details https://uwaterloo.ca/international-students/new-students/health-and-wellness
Approximately how much does it cost? The cost is approximately $400 per term
Can this be waived by my own policy? Exemption/waiver from UHIP is seldom granted; exemption from the extended health insurance plan may be possible. Further instructions will be provided with the admission documents. Additional costs Do I have to pay any mandatory costs? Yes, Student Services fees
If yes, please provide details and costs $50 per term
General Information Links to tourist information https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/discoveringtheregion/discoveringtheregion.asp https://stjacobs.com/
Link to the Study Abroad https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/students/study-abroad-and-exchanges/come- office pages waterloo
Contact details Primary contact Jennifer Jantzi, Global Learning Coordinator Inbound Student Success Office University of Waterloo 200 University Avenue West Waterloo ON N2L 3G1 Canada
*All information on this document is correct at time of printing