The University of Waterloo was founded in 1957 by local business leaders. It opened with just 74 students and pioneered the "Waterloo Plan"—Canada’s first co-operative education (co-op) program. Today, it's a global powerhouse built to tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges.
The Office of Research is the university's central point connecting scientists on campus or those associated with Waterloo to opportunities for funding and a variety of services, including commercialization. Office of Research staff support researchers through the many phases of research including ethics review and managing funds.
Research is an integral and intensive area at Waterloo. In 2024-2025, Waterloo attracted more than $286 million from public and private sources to fund research across a spectrum of challenges. Waterloo's strength in research excellence is supported by partnerships with industry, creating opportunities that generate new knowledge and further Canada's economy.
Career Advisors help all students, postdocs, alumni and employees learn about career management techniques, graduate/professional school preparation, work search methods and how to set meaningful and achievable goals, through:
Below you will find scholarships related to University of Waterloo. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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Based on 94 reviews
I fell in love with the University of Waterloo after touring it and seeing the natural environment on campus. There are many things that added to my undergraduate experience including the classes I have taken and the connections I have made with professors; the labs I've taken and enjoyed; being a science ambassador and telling prospective students why they should attend UW for the Environmental Science program; and the field course opportunities are amazing! What can be improved with the Environmental Science program is there could be more courses directed towards the Ecology program such as plant courses (which are lacking) or field courses incorporated within courses so we could get hands-on experiences and apply what we learn in classes. Overall, Waterloo is an amazing institution and as with any institution, it is up to you to make the most of your experience. I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone from time to time and try new things. That makes it all worth it!
I have really enjoyed my time at the university of Waterloo so far. My favourite course so far has been Peace and Conflict Studies: A History of Peace Movements, which was taught by Eric Lepp. The campus is beautiful, and there are always events you can go to to build a social network.
In my opinion, the University of Waterloo is a really strong school, especially if you�re focused on building your career. I like how it emphasizes real-world experience through its co-op program, since that can make a big difference when trying to find a job after graduation. At the same time, the workload can be pretty intense, which might make it stressful and harder to maintain a good work-life balance. It also seems like the social scene is a bit quieter compared to other universities, which could be a downside depending on what you�re looking for. Overall, I think it�s a great choice if your priority is academics and career opportunities, but it might not be the best fit if you want a more lively or relaxed university experience.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
How would you rate your overall study experience?
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Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Climbed 6 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 115 | 119 | 113 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 2 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 192 | 197 | 199 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 163 | 162 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | 151 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
The University of Waterloo's Student Success Office offers academic, international, and leadership programs to help students adjust to university life and reach their goals.
Academic Support
International and Exchange Support
The University of Waterloo offers an extensive on-campus housing system with a 100% residence guarantee for incoming first-year undergraduate students who apply by the deadline. We offer two styles of residences: traditional-style and suite-style. Most first-year students live in traditional-style residences while some first-year and most upper-year and graduate students live in suite-style residences.
The University of Waterloo Library contributes to the achievement of the University's goals by collaborating with the community in teaching, learning, research and service.
The Library is committed to the values of:
In Information Systems & Technology (IST) we strive to provide effective information systems, technology and services in support of learning, teaching, research and administrative needs.
Health Services aims to provide convenient, confidential and comprehensive medical care to registered students at Waterloo. We work in coordination with other health-related services on campus and in the Kitchener-Waterloo community.
The University of Waterloo campus is a 1,000-acre tech and innovation hub centered around Ring Road, a circular perimeter enclosing a pedestrian core. The architecture blends mid-century brutalist structures with futuristic glass facilities like the Quantum-Nano Centre.To beat harsh winters, a massive network of underground tunnels and overhead bridges lets students navigate campus completely indoors.Daily life centers around the Student Life Centre (SLC) and Physical Activities Complex (PAC), hosting hundreds of clubs, eateries, and gym spaces. The campus also features serene green spots like Columbia Lake for a natural outdoor escape between classes.
The University of Waterloo features two major athletic hubs:
The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) lead student life at UWaterloo. WUSA supports over 250 student-run clubs, covering everything from cultural groups to gaming and advocacy.Students also benefit from powerful faculty societies (like EngSoc, MathSoc, and ArtsSoc) that host massive events, run student-operated cafes, and provide academic support. WUSA also manages essential student spaces in the Student Life Centre (SLC), alongside vital equity-seeking services like the Women's Centre, Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and the RAISE anti-racism initiative.
Create a free account to discover what it’s like to study at University of Waterloo, from campus life and student services to facilities, clubs, and key university statistics.
to discover what it’s like to study at University of Waterloo, from campus life and student services to facilities, clubs, and key university statistics.
Create a free account to explore University of Waterloo performance across leading global university rankings, compare ranking trends over time, and understand how it performs worldwide.
to explore University of Waterloo performance across leading global university rankings, compare ranking trends over time, and understand how it performs worldwide.
Create a free account to explore scholarships and funding opportunities available at University of Waterloo, check your eligibility, and access direct application links.
to explore scholarships and funding opportunities available at University of Waterloo, check your eligibility, and access direct application links.
Create a free account to discover what students say about University of Waterloo, from their overall study experience to teaching, diversity, admissions, and student life.
to discover what students say about University of Waterloo, from their overall study experience to teaching, diversity, admissions, and student life.
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