If you want to know how to get into University of Waterloo, the short version is this: take the right Grade 12 maths courses, keep a strong top-six average, apply through OUAC on time, and write a careful Admission Information Form (AIF). This guide walks through each step for Fall 2027 entry, using only Waterloo's own pages and the OUAC fee guides.
Key takeaways
- Engineering applications close January 15, 2027. Most other programs close February 1, 2027.
- The AIF is required for Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics and Computing and Financial Management. A missing AIF means your application is not reviewed.
- Computer Science and Mathematics need Grade 12 U Advanced Functions and Calculus and Vectors. Engineering also needs Chemistry and Physics.
- Waterloo states CS averages in the "low to mid-90s" and Math averages "from the mid-80s". These come from past years.
- The Euclid contest (tentative date April 6, 2027) is not required for admission, but it is needed for some Math scholarships.
How do you get into University of Waterloo?
Quick answer: Apply through OUAC (101 if you are in an Ontario high school, 105 for everyone else). Meet your program's required Grade 12 courses. Aim for a top-six average in the range Waterloo publishes for your program. Submit the AIF, and the online interview for Engineering, before the document deadline. Then keep your grades up until May.
Waterloo has six faculties: Arts, Engineering, Environment, Health, Mathematics and Science. Computer Science sits inside the Faculty of Mathematics.
What makes Waterloo co-op different?
In co-op, most students switch between four-month school terms and four-month paid work terms, usually from second year. Waterloo's co-op page says students do four to six work terms and can graduate with up to about two years of work experience.
| Item | What Waterloo says |
|---|---|
| Work terms | 4 to 6, by program |
| Employers | More than 8,000, in 70+ countries |
| Typical pay | $9,600 to $23,400 per 4-month term (Canada) |
| Co-op fee (2026-27) | $836 per school term |
| Length | Most co-op degrees take about 5 years |
You do not pay tuition during work terms. Co-op is not a separate exam. Many programs come in both co-op and regular versions, so check your program page before you pick on OUAC.
What are the Fall 2027 application deadlines for Waterloo?
Waterloo's deadlines page lists the same dates for Canadian and international first-year students. First-year students start in September only.
The table shows the main dates. Engineering closes January 15, 2027, with documents, AIF and interview due February 1. Other programs close February 1, 2027, with documents due February 15. Accept offers by June 1, 2027.
Here is the full timeline from Waterloo's important dates page:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Mid-September 2026 | OUAC applications open |
| January 15, 2027 | Engineering application deadline |
| February 1, 2027 | Application deadline, most programs; Engineering document and AIF deadline |
| February 15, 2027 | Document and AIF deadline, other programs |
| April 15, 2027 | Entrance bursary deadline (Ontario students in financial need) |
| Mid-May 2027 | Remaining offers and most scholarships |
| June 1, 2027 | Accept your offer on OUAC |
| June 8, 2027 | Residence application and deposit |
Is there early consideration? Waterloo does not list a separate early consideration deadline. Waterloo Engineering says plainly that it has no early deadline. Some offers go out from December or January, but most come between February and May.
Which application do you use: OUAC 101 or OUAC 105?
- OUAC 101: students currently in an Ontario high school. The base fee is $150 CAD for three choices, plus $50 for each extra choice. Waterloo Engineering adds a $53.25 program fee (OUAC 101 fees).
- OUAC 105: everyone else, including Canadians outside Ontario, US, Indian, IB and A-Level students. The base fee is $156 CAD for three choices, plus $50 for each extra. Waterloo Engineering and Architecture each add $60. Some applicants also pay a $90 document evaluation fee (OUAC 105 fees).
After you apply, Waterloo emails you login details for its applicant portal, where you upload documents and complete the AIF.
How does the Waterloo application flow work?
The flow shows the order. First you apply on OUAC. Next you submit the AIF (and interview for Engineering). Waterloo then reviews your Grade 12 grades. Math and CS students may write the Euclid for scholarships. Finally, you get your offer, mostly by mid-May.
What are the University of Waterloo admission requirements?
Waterloo uses your top six Grade 12 courses, and these must include your required courses. For Ontario students, only U and M courses count. If final marks are not ready, Waterloo uses midterm or predicted grades (admission average page).
The table compares programs. CS and Mathematics need Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Grade 12 U English and one more U course. Engineering adds Chemistry and Physics, with at least 70 in each. IB, A-Level and US routes have their own version of the same maths core.
What do you need for Waterloo computer science admission?
For Ontario students, Waterloo's CS page lists:
- Advanced Functions 4U
- Calculus and Vectors 4U
- Any Grade 12 U English
- One other Grade 12 U course
Waterloo says admission averages are in the "low to mid-90s", based on previous years. The AIF is required. You do not need coding experience, although Grade 11 and 12 Computer Science are recommended.
What do you need for Waterloo engineering admission?
Ontario Engineering applicants need Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry 4U, ENG4U and Physics 4U, each with at least 70 (Computer Engineering page). You must also submit the AIF and an online interview.
Waterloo Engineering publishes a "minimum competitive average" for each program. The page does not name a year, and it says there is no absolute cut-off.
| Engineering program | Minimum competitive average |
|---|---|
| Software, Electrical | Low to mid-90s |
| Biomedical, Computer, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems Design | High 80s to low 90s |
| Architectural, Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Geological, Management, Nanotechnology | Mid- to high 80s |
Source: Waterloo Engineering admission averages. Software Engineering also wants programming experience, which you describe in a Supplementary Information Form.
Engineering applies a small school adjustment factor, but says the AIF and interview matter more. It uses your highest mark in a repeated course, and accredited summer or online courses are not penalized (Engineering FAQ).
What about Waterloo Mathematics?
Mathematics (16 majors) needs the same four courses as CS. Waterloo lists averages "from the mid-80s" (Math requirements). The AIF is required.
What are the requirements for Waterloo international students?
International students use OUAC 105 and have the same deadlines. Here is what Waterloo lists for Computer Science:
| System | Key requirement for CS |
|---|---|
| India (CBSE/CISCE) | Std XII Maths (not Applied Maths) and one other at 90%+; 85% overall; Std XII English |
| US | AP Calculus score of 4+, Pre-Calculus, Grade 12 English, 90% average; SAT/ACT not required |
| IB | HL Maths Analysis and Approaches 6+; English; 32 points (excluding bonus points) |
| A-Level | Maths at A, plus two more A Levels at A (AAA); English at GCSE, AS or A Level |
Sources: India, US, IB, A-Level. These are minimum entry rules, not the averages most admitted students reach.
For Indian Computer Engineering applicants, Waterloo lists Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English and one other Std XII subject at 70%+ each, with an 85% average. It looks at Class 10 board results, final Grade 11 marks and predicted Class 12 results. The page does not mention JEE.
If you are an IB student, our IB Diploma Programme guide explains how HL maths choices work. US students can check SAT vs ACT, though Waterloo CS does not require either.
What English test does Waterloo need?
You need a test if your four most recent years of full-time school were not in an English-language system. Tests must be taken on or after May 1, 2025 (English requirements):
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall (6.5 writing and speaking, 6.0 reading and listening) |
| TOEFL iBT (before Jan 21, 2026) | 90 overall, 25 writing, 25 speaking |
| TOEFL iBT (from Jan 21, 2026) | 4.5 overall, 5 writing, 5 speaking |
| PTE Academic | 63 overall, 65 writing and speaking |
| Duolingo | 120 overall, 125 Literacy and Production |
What is the Waterloo AIF and why does it matter?
The Admission Information Form is Waterloo's way to learn about you beyond marks. It replaces a personal essay. It is required for all Engineering programs (not Architecture), all Faculty of Mathematics programs including CS, and Computing and Financial Management.
What to know:
- It has five questions: a passion or interest, community involvement, an experience of unfair treatment, your goals at Waterloo, and activities outside class.
- Activity hours count from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
- You submit it once, and it applies to all your Waterloo programs. You cannot edit it after you submit.
- Answers must be your own. Waterloo warns that AI-generated or copied answers can lead to a denied application.
- Deadline: February 1, 2027 for Engineering, February 15, 2027 for others. Late forms are not reviewed.
Engineering applicants also complete an online video interview. Math and CS applicants fill in a Supplementary Information Form that asks about contests.
Does the Euclid contest matter for Waterloo Math and CS?
Waterloo says the Euclid and the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest (CSMC) are not required for admission. However, writing one is required for some Faculty of Mathematics scholarships. The CS faculty adds that a strong contest score can help a borderline applicant, and a weak or missing score is not held against you. Contests must be written in the year you apply.
Key 2026-27 contest dates from CEMC (tentative) and Waterloo:
- CSMC: November 18, 2026 (registration closed October 22, 2026)
- Canadian Computing Competition: February 17, 2027 (register by February 11, 2027)
- Euclid: April 6, 2027 (register by March 11, 2027)
The Euclid comes after the deadlines, so it matters most for scholarships. Younger students can build up with Pascal, Cayley and Fermat; see our CEMC Pascal, Cayley and Fermat guide. The AMC 10 and AMC 12 guide is useful practice too.
What does a Euclid-style problem look like?
Many Euclid questions use skills from Advanced Functions, like logarithms. Try this one.
Problem: Solve log2(x) + log2(x - 2) = 3.
- Combine the logs: log2(x(x - 2)) = 3.
- Rewrite as a power: x(x - 2) = 2^3 = 8.
- Expand: x^2 - 2x - 8 = 0.
- Factor: (x - 4)(x + 2) = 0, so x = 4 or x = -2.
- Check: logs need x > 2, so x = -2 is rejected. The answer is x = 4.
Check: log2(4) + log2(2) = 2 + 1 = 3. Step 5 is the key habit: always reject answers that break the domain.
Want help with problems like this? Book a free demo class with an Asymptode maths mentor, or compare our plans and fees.
How much does Waterloo cost in 2026-27?
Waterloo's tuition page gives first-year estimates for two terms, for students starting September 2026 (CAD, includes incidental fees):
| Program | Ontario | Canadian, outside Ontario | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | $19,000 | $21,000 | $75,000 |
| Computer Science | $16,000 | $18,000 | $73,000 |
| Mathematics | $9,000 | $10,000 | $62,000 |
Add about $1,500 a year for books. Co-op students pay $836 per school term. Estimates for students starting in Fall 2027 are not yet announced. Waterloo posts exact term fees about a month before each term.
What scholarships does Waterloo offer?
From Waterloo's scholarships page:
- President's Scholarship of Distinction: $2,000 for a 95%+ average, plus optional $1,500 International Experience and $1,500 Research awards later.
- President's Scholarship: $2,000 for 90 to 94.9%.
- Merit Scholarship: $1,000 for 85 to 89.9%.
- Faculty of Mathematics: National and Global Scholarships (up to 30 awards, $10,000 to $40,000), plus entrance awards based on Euclid or CSMC results.
- International students: new $10,000 scholarships for most programs.
The first three are automatic.
What is a step-by-step plan from Grade 9 to Grade 12?
- Grade 9: Build strong algebra. Our Ontario Grade 9 maths guide covers the course. Try the Pascal contest in February.
- Grade 10: Keep marks high and write Cayley. Start one or two activities you really care about.
- Grade 11: Do well in Functions (MCR3U), since it leads to Advanced Functions. Write Fermat. Take computer science if it is offered. Keep track of activity hours.
- Summer before Grade 12: Choose programs. Read the AIF questions in advance. Plan when you will take Advanced Functions and Calculus and Vectors.
- Grade 12 fall: Write the CSMC (November). Apply on OUAC early, before January 15 (Engineering) or February 1 (others).
- Grade 12 winter: Submit the AIF, Engineering interview and documents by February 1 or 15. Register for the Euclid by March 11.
- Grade 12 spring: Write the Euclid (April 6, 2027). Keep your grades up, since offers use updated marks. Accept by June 1.
Thinking about engineering careers first? See how to become an engineer. Comparing Ontario options? Read how to get into University of Toronto.
What are common mistakes Waterloo applicants make?
- Missing the Engineering date. It is January 15, not February 1.
- Rushing the AIF. You only get one submission, and it covers all programs.
- Skipping a required course. Without Calculus and Vectors, CS, Math and Engineering are out of reach.
- Letting marks drop in Grade 12. Most offers come in May, after updated grades.
- Picking Applied Maths in CBSE. Waterloo CS does not accept it.
How 1-on-1 tutoring helps with getting into Waterloo
- One dedicated mentor, live online 1-on-1. Your Asymptode mentor follows your own syllabus (Ontario, CBSE, IB, A-Level or AP) and plans around your exam and contest dates.
- Method-first maths. The mentor watches each step of your working in Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors and Euclid problems, so mistakes are fixed early.
- Personalised homework with feedback. Practice sets match your weak spots, and every class is recorded so you can rewatch it.
- Planning help for the rest. For the AIF and deadlines, the mentor helps with planning and method, and parents get short updates. Start with a free demo class.
Related guides
- How to get into University of Toronto
- CEMC Pascal, Cayley and Fermat guide
- Ontario Grade 9 maths guide
- How to become an engineer
- IB Diploma Programme guide
- AMC 10 and AMC 12 guide
Facts checked against official sources on 29 October 2026.
FAQ
What average do you need to get into Waterloo?
It depends on the program. Waterloo lists CS averages in the "low to mid-90s" and Math "from the mid-80s". Engineering ranges from the mid-80s to the mid-90s by program. These are based on past years, not fixed cut-offs.
When is the Waterloo application deadline for 2027?
For Fall 2027 entry, Engineering closes January 15, 2027. Most other programs close February 1, 2027. Document deadlines are February 1 (Engineering) and February 15, 2027 (others).
Is the Waterloo AIF mandatory?
Yes, for Engineering (not Architecture), all Math faculty programs including CS, and Computing and Financial Management. If you do not submit it, Waterloo will not review your application. You can only submit it once.
Do I need the Euclid contest to get into Waterloo CS?
No. Waterloo says the Euclid and CSMC are not required for admission. A strong score can help a borderline CS applicant, and some Math scholarships need one of these contests.
Does Waterloo require SAT or ACT?
No. Waterloo's US requirements page for CS says SAT and ACT scores are not required. You do need an AP Calculus result of at least 4.
Can international students apply to Waterloo co-op?
Yes. International students apply through OUAC 105 with the same deadlines and can choose co-op programs. Check the English test rules and the 2026-27 international tuition figures before you apply.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.
Sources
- University of Waterloo: Application and document deadlines
- University of Waterloo: Important dates
- University of Waterloo: Admission Information Form (AIF)
- University of Waterloo: Computer Science requirements (Ontario)
- Waterloo Engineering: Admission averages
- University of Waterloo: English language requirements
- University of Waterloo: First-year tuition fees
- University of Waterloo: Entrance scholarships
- CEMC: Tentative contest dates 2026/27
- OUAC: 105 fees