Course

Accounting & Finance

Offered by School of Accounting and Finance

QS Accounting & Finance

QS Accounting & Finance Rank: Top 150 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s School of Accounting and Finance is among the best-known in Canada, with professional accounting and quantitative finance options and a deep link to the co-op employer network.

Key advantages

Co-op and employer network
Professional accounting pathway
Quantitative finance specialisation
Strong maths and computing base
High graduate employability
Close to Toronto’s financial sector

Programme & duration: Master of Accounting (MAcc) / Master of Quantitative Finance (MQF): 1–2 years
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $25,000 – $55,000 total programme fee (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. MQF applicants need a strong mathematics background; GRE/GMAT may be requested.

Employability & placement

Graduates work in Big Four firms, banks, fintech and quantitative roles, with many programmes aligned to Canadian professional accounting designations.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in accounting analytics, quantitative finance, auditing and financial reporting.

Course

Business & Management

Offered by Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Mathematics

QS Business & Management

Interdisciplinary programme combining engineering, mathematics and business at a top-ranked Canadian technology universityQS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s MBET is designed for technical graduates who want to lead technology companies, combining business training with entrepreneurial projects in Canada’s innovation hub.

Key advantages

Technology and entrepreneurship focus
Interdisciplinary engineering–business cohort
Waterloo’s start-up ecosystem
Strong tech employer links
Experiential, project-based learning
Co-op culture

Programme & duration: Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET): about 12 months
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $40,000 – $60,000 total programme fee (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, mathematics or a related field. Work experience valued; CV, essays and references.

Employability & placement

Graduates move into product management, technology consulting, start-ups and corporate innovation roles.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship and innovation management.

Course

Economics

Offered by Department of Economics

QS Economics

QS Economics Rank: Top 200 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s MA in Economics offers a co-op option, which is rare for economics, giving students paid work experience alongside rigorous training.

Key advantages

Co-op option available
Quantitative training
Strong data and analytics culture
Technology-sector employers
Smaller cohort sizes
Good PhD pathway

Programme & duration: MA in Economics: about 1 year (full-time; co-op available)
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $20,000 – $35,000 total programme fee (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in economics with a strong average and mathematics preparation. References and statement of purpose.

Employability & placement

Graduates work in analytics, government, finance and consulting, and many gain Canadian experience through co-op placements.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in applied microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics and economic policy.

Course

Architecture

Offered by School of Architecture

QS Architecture & Built Environment

QS Architecture & Built Environment Rank: Top 100 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s accredited MArch is taught in the School of Architecture’s riverside campus in Cambridge, Ontario, and is known for its strong technology, sustainability and professional-practice focus within Canada’s innovation corridor.

Key advantages

Accredited professional programme
Sustainable and computational design focus
Cambridge, Ontario campus on the Grand River
Strong technology links
Studio-based, small cohorts
Strong portfolio development

Programme & duration: Master of Architecture (MArch): about 2 years (full-time)
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $25,000 – $45,000 per year (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Bachelor’s degree in architecture or an equivalent; design portfolio, statement and references.

Employability & placement

Graduates are well prepared for architecture and design practice, with strong links to firms across Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in sustainable design, computational design, urban regeneration and building technology.

Course

Chemical Engineering

Offered by Department of Chemical Engineering

QS Chemical Engineering

QS Chemical Engineering Rank: Top 150 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s chemical engineering department is known for strong research in nanotechnology, polymers, and sustainable processes, backed by Canada’s largest co-op network.

Key advantages

Strong nanotechnology and polymers research
MEng and MASc options
Co-op employer network
Sustainable processes focus
Close ties with industry
Technology corridor location

Programme & duration: MEng (course-based) or MASc (thesis): 1–2 years (full-time)
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $20,000 – $50,000 per year; thesis routes lower with funding (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related field with a strong average. References and statement; MASc requires a supervisor.

Employability & placement

Graduates work in process engineering, materials, nanotechnology and energy, or continue to doctoral research.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in nanotechnology, polymer science, sustainable processes and biomedical materials.

Course

Civil Engineering

Offered by Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

QS Civil & Structural Engineering

QS Civil & Structural Engineering Rank: Top 100 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s civil engineering department combines strong research in water, structures and geoengineering with Canada’s largest co-op network.

Key advantages

Co-op employer network
MEng and MASc options
Water-resources and geoengineering research
Strong consulting-industry links
Technology corridor location
Sustainable infrastructure focus

Programme & duration: MEng or MASc: 1–2 years (full-time)
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $20,000 – $50,000 per year; thesis routes lower with funding (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field with a strong average. References and statement; MASc requires a supervisor.

Employability & placement

Graduates join engineering consulting, municipal and construction firms across Ontario and Canada.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in water resources, structural engineering, geoengineering and sustainable infrastructure.

Course

Electrical Engineering

Offered by Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

QS Electrical & Electronic Engineering

QS Electrical & Electronic Engineering Rank: Top 100 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s ECE department is closely linked to Canada’s technology sector and offers a strong co-op option, with research in nanotechnology, power electronics and communications.

Key advantages

Co-op employer network
MEng and MASc options
Strong technology-sector links
Nanotechnology and power electronics research
Close to Toronto’s tech corridor
Start-up ecosystem

Programme & duration: MEng or MASc: 1–2 years (full-time)
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $20,000 – $55,000 per year; thesis routes lower with funding (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in electrical or computer engineering or a related field with a strong average. References and statement; MASc requires a supervisor.

Employability & placement

Graduates work in technology, telecommunications, semiconductors and power electronics, often with a strong early-career network.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in nanotechnology, power electronics, communications and embedded systems.

Course

Mechanical Engineering

Offered by Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

QS Mechanical Engineering

QS Mechanical Engineering Rank: Top 100 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s mechanical and mechatronics engineering department combines strong research with Canada’s largest co-op network and a pipeline into the technology and automotive sectors.

Key advantages

Co-op employer network
MEng and MASc options
Mechatronics and automotive links
Strong technology-sector connections
Start-up ecosystem
Industry research partnerships

Programme & duration: MEng or MASc: 1–2 years (full-time)
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $20,000 – $55,000 per year; thesis routes lower with funding (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in mechanical or mechatronics engineering or a related field with a strong average. References and statement; MASc requires a supervisor.

Employability & placement

Graduates work in automotive, aerospace, robotics and technology roles across Ontario and North America.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in mechatronics, robotics, advanced materials and energy systems.

Course

Pharmacy

Offered by School of Pharmacy

QS Pharmacy & Pharmacology

Research-based pharmacy graduate programme in a technology-focused universityQS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy offers research-based graduate study with a strong focus on pharmacy practice, drug delivery and health technology, linked to Ontario’s innovation corridor.

Key advantages

Pharmacy practice and health technology focus
Strong research links
Innovation-corridor location
Funding often available
Interdisciplinary opportunities
Collaborative research culture

Programme & duration: MSc in Pharmacy (research-based): 2 years
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $9,000 – $20,000 per year; funding often available (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences or a related field with a strong average. A supervisor must agree to supervise; references and research statement.

Employability & placement

Graduates move into pharmaceutical research, health-technology and regulatory roles, or progress to doctoral study; MSc programmes do not by themselves lead to pharmacist licensure.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in pharmacy practice, drug delivery, medication safety and health technology.

Course

Psychology

Offered by Department of Psychology

QS Psychology

QS Psychology Rank: Top 150 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s Department of Psychology is well known for experimental research in cognition, social psychology and aging, with strong applied and technology-related links.

Key advantages

Experimental research strengths
Cognition and aging research
Strong technology-sector links
Funding often available
Small, collaborative cohorts
Co-op culture on campus

Programme & duration: MA / MSc (research-based): 2 years
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $9,000 – $20,000 per year; funding often available (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in psychology with a strong average and research experience. A supervisor must agree to supervise; references and statement of research interests.

Employability & placement

Graduates progress to doctoral study, user-experience research, data science and applied research roles.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in cognition, aging, social psychology and human-computer interaction.

Course

Sports Science

Offered by Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences

QS Sports-Related Subjects

QS Sports-Related Subjects Rank: Top 50 in the World (2026)QS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

Waterloo’s kinesiology and health sciences department has world-leading research in spine biomechanics and ergonomics, with strong links to health-technology industries.

Key advantages

Spine biomechanics and ergonomics strength
Technology-sector links
Funding often available
Strong research facilities
Applied research culture
Small, collaborative cohorts

Programme & duration: MSc in Kinesiology / Health Studies: 2 years
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $10,000 – $22,000 per year; funding often available (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or a related field with a strong average. A supervisor must agree to supervise; references and research statement.

Employability & placement

Graduates work in ergonomics, rehabilitation, sports technology and health research, or progress to doctoral study.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in biomechanics, ergonomics, aging and physical activity.

Course

International Relations

Offered by Balsillie School of International Affairs

QS Politics & IR

Specialised global-governance master’s run jointly with Wilfrid Laurier University and the Centre for International Governance InnovationQS World Rank: Top 150 (2026)

The Balsillie School’s MA in Global Governance is a one-year programme with a strong connection to the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), a leading international policy think tank.

Key advantages

Think-tank collaboration with CIGI
One-year format
Global-governance focus
Small cohorts
Policy-focused curriculum
Close to Toronto

Programme & duration: MA in Global Governance: about 12 months (full-time)
Tuition (international): Approx. CAD $20,000 – $35,000 total programme fee (indicative; verify on official website)
Intakes: September, January and May (varies by programme)
English requirement: IELTS: 6.5 overall (min 6.0 in each band)TOEFL iBT: 90PTE: 60+
Entry requirements: Four-year bachelor’s degree in social science or a related field with a strong average. Statement of purpose, references and CV.

Employability & placement

Graduates work in international organisations, government, think tanks and consulting.

Student experience

Waterloo sits in Canada’s technology corridor and runs the world’s largest co-operative education programme. The campus culture is close-knit, practical and strongly career-focused.

Research strengths

Research in global governance, international economic policy, security and development.

University of Waterloo

Courses at University of Waterloo

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Key advantages

Employability & placement

Student experience

Research strengths

Get in touch

Book your free consultation