University of Waterloo

Canada

University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo was founded in 1957. It is a public research university with a main campus in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The institution operates three satellite campuses and four affiliated university colleges. The University of Waterloo marks its origins to Waterloo College, which was affiliated with the University of Western Ontario since 1925.

University History

In 1957 University of Waterloo was founded. The main campus of the university is spread across 998-acres of land near to "Uptown" Waterloo and Waterloo Park. In 1959, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed an act which officially split the Associated Faculties from Waterloo College, and renamed it as the University of Waterloo. In 2001, the university developed the Waterloo Research and Technology Park in the main campus. From 2009 to 2012, the university managed four undergraduate programs in Dubai. The university works in partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology, the largest post-secondary institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

University Programs, Courses and Schools

The University of Waterloo has 13 schools. The campus offers wide learning opportunities and challenges to the students. The 13 schools of the University of Waterloo are;

• School of Public Health and Health Systems
• School of Accounting and Finance
• Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business
• Balsillie School of International Affairs
• Renison School of Social Work
• School of Architecture
• Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business
• School of Environment, Enterprise and Development
• School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability
• School of Planning
• David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science
• School of Optometry and Vision Science
• School of Pharmacy

University Achievements

The University of Waterloo is a well-known public University in Canada. In 2021, Academic Ranking of World Universities, ranked the university 151–200 in the world and 7–8 in Canada. In 2022, QS World University Rankings ranked the university #149th in the world and seventh in Canada. In 2022, Times Higher Education World University Rankings ranked the University of Waterloo 201–250 in the world and 8–11 in Canada. In the U.S. News & World Report 2022 ranking, the university was ranked 199th in the world, and eighth in Canada and also tied knots with the University of Ottawa.  Maclean's 2022 university rankings ranked University of Waterloo third in the magazine's comprehensive university category.

University USP

University of Waterloo is known as among the best Canadian universities. The university has been named Canada's most innovative university for 29 out of the past 30 years. University of Waterloo is #1 university in Canada for hands-on, experiential learning. Since 2014, Waterloo university has been ranked as a top university among corporate recruiters. The University of Waterloo is home to 100+ programs in business, health, engineering, math, science, the arts, environment, and more.

University Notable Alumni

University of Waterloo’s alumni has expert alumni from different backgrounds who are there to serve based on their common passion and responsibility towards the University. Notable alumni of the University have an extensive alumni network. Some of the alumni members of University of Waterloo are-

• David Johnston, 28th Governor General of Canada
• Robert Mundell, Nobel laureate in economics
• Donna Strickland, Nobel laureate in physics
• Chris Hadfield, retired Canadian astronaut.
• Mike Lazaridis, founder of BlackBerry Limited
• Kevin O'Leary, Canadian businessman, author, politician, and television personality.
• Chamath Palihapitiya, CEO of Social Capital and minority owner of the Golden State Warriors.
• Beckie Scott, Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing.
• Rupi Kaur, popular Canadian poet and author of Milk and Honey.

University infrastructure & services

Campus-

The University of Waterloo’s main campus is situated within the city of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The campus is located on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabeg. The campus is surrounded by Waterloo Park to the south, Wilfrid Laurier University in the southeast, residential neighborhoods in the northeast and the Laurel Creek Conservation Area in the northwest. The oldest building on campus is the Graduate House, initially it was a farmhouse in the 19th century. The University of Waterloo’s main campus is divided into three campuses: South Campus, North Campus and Northwest Campus. 

South Campus is the major academic area of the university, whereas North Campus is home to the Research and Technology Park. Northwest Campus is the less developed area of the main campus, which primarily includes farm fields and an environmental reserve, and separate it from North Campus.The University of waterloo has several other properties in Cambridge, Huntsville, Kitchener, and Stratford, Ontario. 

Libraries-

 Each campus consists of branch libraries, which plays an important part of the educational experience and an invaluable resource for students, faculty, staff, and alumni, but also for the broad community. The different libraries on-campus are- Dana Porter Library, Geospatial Centre, Davis Centre Library and other libraries on other campuses. The library offers books, e-books and services to support academic studies and enhance research work at the University of Waterloo. University libraries are focused to provide high-quality library resources, programs, and services to the students. The library provides flexible and well-equipped surroundings for everyone's research and learning needs. The library supports the student learning experience, creation and administration of knowledge, and also contributes to advancements in teaching and research programs.                                                                                                                                                   

Housing services-

On-campus- University of Waterloo’s Student housing and Residence Life offers residence halls, apartments where students from all over the country and the world live, learn and grow together. Students have an option to reside in the residence halls and apartments.  The university’s housing places include- Village 1, Ron Eydt Village, Claudette Millar Hall, Mackenzie King Village, UW place, Columbia Lake Village North and South and Minota Hagey. The University of Waterloo’s residences offer support and convenience, as well as opportunities for personal growth, cultural exploration, and interaction with all facilities and staff. The University’s residence halls are perfect for comfortable housing.  Students can select a room of their choice based on costs, hall facilities, location, and availability. Through University’s affinity housing students can live in groups of like-minded students who share the same love for sports, literature, film and course. The various services offered in University’s residence halls are- 

• Fully furnished rooms
• Large lounges with kitchens
• All-inclusive utilities
• Free Wi-Fi and cable TV
• Free laundry facilities
• Residence Life staff support
• Programming created around a residential curriculum
• 24-hour security and on-call housing staff

Off-campus- University of Waterloo assists students in finding off-campus housing near University’s campus. They provide convenient housing to students, faculty and staff at nearby universities. The rental accommodation near the University of Waterloo includes Apartments, Suites and sharing rooms.

Medical services-

University of Waterloo provides medical services to students. The Health Services encourage students to live a healthy lifestyle in order to achieve their personal, academic and career goals. They also maintain an emergency response team which responds immediately to any accidents or injuries involving any person on campus. Primary and urgent healthcare, health clearances, routine women’s healthcare, emergency response and wellness education are all part of the services provided. The staff consists of certified physicians and nurses who are dedicated towards their work and provide high quality medical care to students. 

Student’s clubs-

University of Waterloo offers more than 400 students’ clubs and organization which provide wide range of opportunities for students to engross themselves. The University offers everything students need to stay active on campus. Some of the clubs at University of Waterloo are-

• A Capella Club
• Afro X Dance Club
• Music Club
• Aviation Club
• Buddha’s Light Club
• Chess Club
• Cooking Club
• Craft Club
• Fashion Club
• Fighting Game Club

These are just a few clubs and organizations listed above. there are many other options available to choose from and engross yourself.

University location

200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

Top Landmarks-

• The Village of St. Jacobs. 
• The Elora Gorge. At the Elora Gorge, the Grand River flows between tall, rocky cliffs. 
• Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. 
• African Lion Safari. 
• The Stratford Shakespeare Festival. 
• Long Point. 
• Grand Bend.

International student’s info

Courses Offered-

University of Waterloo Offers Undergraduate programs and Graduate programs. Some of the courses are-

• Accounting and Finance 
• Anthropology
• Applied Language Studies
• Applied Mathematics
• Architecture 
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Classical Studies
• Combinatorics and Optimization
• Communication Arts
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Fine Arts
• French

Student Support-

 The International Student Services University of Waterloo provides international educational exchange via its services. It serves as the primary administrative, programming, and advising office for the international community. The office provides various services like-

• immigration assistance and support to international students and exchange visitors through advising, programs, workshops and events.
• serve as a guide for academic and administrative units in the collaboration, hiring and sponsorship of international students and exchange visitors.
• provides on-going orientation and support services in a welcoming environment designed to help students in cultural adjustment.

Visa and Immigration Support-

Visas and Permits

As an international student, you will need to have specific permits and visas to study in Canada.

Initial Study Permit

All University of Waterloo students need to have legal status in Canada, and you will need to present your status documents to get your student card. If this is your first time applying for a study permit, you can do it at the nearest Canadian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. You can apply for your permit as soon as you receive your Offer of Admission from the University of Toronto and decide to accept. Because the permit legally entitles you to study in Canada, you will need it before you enter the country.

Temporary Resident Visa

Students from certain countries may also require an entry visa, also known as a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), to enter Canada. TRVs are issued by Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC).

CIC’s requirements may differ depending on your specific geographic region. For instance, some CIC offices require proof of English language proficiency in the form of a standardized test (such as TOEFL or IELTS). A medical examination and proof of funding may also be required. 

International Student Contact-

Office- South Campus Hall, second floor
University of Waterloo
Phone No.- 519-888-4567 ext. 84410

Student life

Student society-

University of Waterloo’s student organizations or clubs are one of the best ideas to get involved in the campus. Organizations are assembled under an arrangement of causes, identities, and interests. Student organizations at the University of Waterloo put on some of the most highly anticipated campus events and offer a wide range of opportunities for involvement and leadership every year. The University of Waterloo has a wide variety of student organizations, so there is something for each student. 

Sports and fitness-

University of Waterloo provides activities that promote healthy lifestyles and fitness for a huge population of students, faculty and staff. The University provides various sports activities and fitness rooms to keep students fit and healthy. 

Health & Wellbeing-

Health and Wellness at the University of Waterloo is to highlight the active process of change and growth that involves building resilience, persistence, and positivity in the phase of provocations. It is the initiative dedicated to help students incorporate in an overall well-being experience across campus. They allow students to actively indulge in wellness programs, activities that provide support to a holistic lifestyle. Through this initiative, students will learn and understand resources and they will also learn how to help others in need. 

Residential Life-

On-campus housing at the University of Waterloo can easily accommodate a huge population of students. The on-campus housing offers Residential Based Learning Communities on designated floors, areas or buildings where students request to live near others that share an interest in a particular social cause or academic area. 

Food & drink-

The University of Waterloo provides a dining hall in the heart of the campus.  Dining is open to students, faculty, and staff. Dining plan offers different dining options which includes special dietary menus such as vegetarian and low-fat food. The plans are designed to fit the busy schedule of students, the plan assists all dietary preferences by providing a wide range of dining options and healthy food options. There are a number of cafes and restaurants available on-campus which provide a huge variety to students.

Short term getaways, weekend getaways

There are many short-term getaways near the University of Waterloo to have fun like- 

• The Village of St. Jacobs. 
• The Elora Gorge. At the Elora Gorge, the Grand River flows between tall, rocky cliffs. 
• Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. 
• African Lion Safari. 
• The Stratford Shakespeare Festival. 
• Long Point. 
• Grand Bend.

and there are many other options also available to spend holidays and weekends.

Part time jobs

The Center for Career Action at University of Waterloo provides employment opportunities on-campus to students who want to earn money while studying to pay their expenses. The Office of Student Employment helps students find part-time work that not only builds their bank account, it is also on or near campus, and gives them a relevant and meaningful career experience which enhances their resume.

Student Safety

Crime Around the area-

The University of Waterloo keeps safety at priority. The University's Police Department provides 24/7 assistance to deter crime, and to increase personal safety and building security. A security desk is located in the lobby of each residence hall, which assists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to ensure the safety and identification of those entering and leaving the campus buildings. Students can call an officer to escort them anywhere on campus 24/7. The University is committed towards providing a safe, secure living and learning environment for all students, faculty and staff.    

Famous courses

The famous courses at University of Waterloo are-

• Accounting
• Arts 
• History
• Actuarial Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Economics
• French
• Computer Science

Campus recruitment

Process-

The Centre for Career Action at University of Waterloo has an excellent placement team that is dedicated to supporting students throughout their placement search. The University hosts recruitment events and fairs and also posts jobs on the university portal to provide jobs to students.    The university has a record of 80% placement. 

Famous companies who recruit directly from University of Waterloo–

• Magna International - the largest Canadian automotive-part supplier
• General Motors - the largest automaker in Canada
• Bombardier - the largest Canadian aerospace company
• Pratt & Whitney Canada - the largest aero-engine maker in Canada
• IBM - the largest provider of cloud-based solutions in Canada
• CMC Electronics – aerospace
• NCR - cash dispensers and check handling machines
• Atomic Energy of Canada Limited - equipment for nuclear power 
• Blackberry/QNX - automotive telematics, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and real-time operating systems
• WaterlooSecurity - cyber-risk management

Application Requirements

• Create a new account
• Completed Application Form
• Submit required support documents
• Academic Records
• Pay the application fee 
• Statement of Purpose
• Recommendations
• Standardized Test Scores
• Receive Offer Letter