University of Waterloo

University of Waterloo is a public research university with a main campus in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

The history of the University of Waterloo (UW) can be traced back to Waterloo College (present-day Wilfrid Laurier University), the academic outgrowth of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, which was affiliated with the University of Western Ontario since 1925. In 1956, a group of business leaders in Waterloo established the Waterloo College Associate Faculties (WCAF), a semi-autonomous entity of Waterloo College. The WCAF was intended to be a new kind of university, with a focus on science, engineering, and mathematics. In 1957, the WCAF was granted a charter as the University of Waterloo. The university opened its doors to its first students in 1959.

From the beginning, UW was known for its innovative approach to education. In 1969, UW became one of the first universities in Canada to introduce a co-operative education program. The co-op program allows students to alternate between periods of study and periods of paid work experience. This gives students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while completing their degrees.

UW has also been a leader in research. In 1967, UW established the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, one of the world's leading institutes for research in theoretical physics. UW is also home to a number of other world-class research institutes, including the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and the Centre for Cybersecurity and Innovation.

UW is a vibrant and diverse community, with students from all over the world. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs, so there is something for everyone at UW. UW is also located in a beautiful and vibrant city, with plenty to see and do both on and off campus.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, University of Waterloo is positioned as the #115 top university in the world, which makes it the #5 top university in Canada. The university's global rank decreased by 3 points from last year.

University Profile

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2025 Ranking	#5
University Name	University of Waterloo
Acronym	UW
Year Established	1957
Motto	Concordia cum veritate
Motto in English	In harmony with truth
Governing Type	Public
Student Body	Co-education
Highest Degree	Doctorate
Campus Type	Urban
Colors	Gold, black and white

Location

The university is located in Waterloo, Ontario. Find the address and map of the university below.

Address	200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Contact

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Phone	+1 (519) 888 4567
Fax	+1 (519) 884 8009
Website
Email	Click here to send email
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Admission Info

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Accepts International Students	Yes
Student Body	Men and Women
Admission Info	Click here

Scholarship and Financial Aids

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Scholarship Info	Click here

Programs and Courses

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	Bachelor's Degrees	Master's Degrees	Doctorate Degrees	Diplomas
Arts & Humanities	n/a		n/a	n/a
Business & Social Sciences	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Engineering	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Language & Cultural Studies	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Medicine & Health	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Science & Technology	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Click on the following button to explore a detailed list of programs and courses of this institute.

View Course List

Ranking History

The following chart shows how the ranking of this university in Canada has changed over the last 5 years.

Stay informed with the following articles related to the university or higher education in Canada.

Tertiary education in Canada is not free, especially for international students, but it is affordable compared to the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. The average undergraduate foreign student pays C$11,903 annually. [Read More]

There are myriads of work permit programs for foreign students. Working in Canada as an international student can open doors of opportunities for the future. International students can work 20 hours a week during academic sessions and full-time or 40 hours during vacation or scheduled breaks such as winter, summer, and spring breaks. [Read More]

The type of health insurance you will get will depend mainly on the province you are going. Every province has its own healthcare rules and eligibility requirements for residents. So, your duty as an international student is to know the healthcare requirements of the area you intend going, this will help you to apply for the suitable one. [Read More]

The advantages of studying in Canada are multiple; one of them is that you will enjoy a valuable Canadian work experience both during and after your program. There are also great immigration options for foreign students that have completed their tertiary education programs. [Read More]

There are minimal scholarship slots available for foreign students coming to Canada from abroad, although some institutions provide scholarships based on one's academic excellence. If you are schooling here, you can ask your student advisor to see if there is any available one. [Read More]

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