Software Engineering (Co-op Only)

Prerequisites

A final grade of at least 70% is required for:

• MHF4U
• MCV4U
• SCH4U
• ENG4U
• SPH4U

Plus:

• 1 additional 4U/M course
• Recommended: ICS3U is highly recommended; ICS4U would be an asset

An online video interview is strongly recommended. 

IB and AP Requirements

• IB Admission Information
• AP Admission Information

Additional Admission Criteria

An Admission Information Form is required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application.

Experience in developing well-structured, modular programs is required, as demonstrated by at least 1 of the following: strong performance in a programming course such as ICS3U, ICS4U, or equivalent; strong performance in a programming contest; significant work experience; other (must be explained on the Admission Information Form).

Also considered: Involvement in extracurricular activities in school and/or community, interest in software engineering, additional Grade 12 courses and participation in mathematics, science, engineering or programming competitions. You are strongly encouraged to write the Euclid Mathematics Contest. The Canadian Computing Competition is recommended.

Language Requirements

Offers of Admission

Deadlines

Basic requirements:

• Ontario High School Diploma with a minimum of 6 Grade 12 U/M courses, including the required courses for the program to which you have applied. EAE4U will be treated as equivalent to ENG4U.  
• Your admission average consists of the grades from your top 6 Grade 12 U/M courses, including all required courses for the program you've applied to. 
• All offers of admission are conditional upon completing the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and maintaining the grades indicated in a student’s offer of admission.
• If your first language is not English, and you have not studied full-time in an English-language school system for the 4 years immediately before beginning your studies at Waterloo, you will be required to meet our English-language requirements. 

Failed and Repeated Courses

• For the School of Architecture, invitations for interviews may be based on final Grade 11 marks. See the Architecture website for further details about the application process. 
• Accounting and Financial Management and Sustainability and Financial Management: We review 3U/M grades, in combination with 4U/M grades and the School of Accounting and Finance Admission Assessment, for early offers to the program.

Supplemental Application

• In order to be considered for admission we require an Admission Information Form (AIF) for Computing and Financial Management, Engineering (including Software Engineering) and all Mathematics programs. We recommend an AIF for all other programs.
• You MUST save and submit ALL pages of the AIF to be considered for these programs.
• More information about the AIF and its requirements and deadlines.
• Some programs require additional supplemental applications. Review all programs carefully.

View Waterloo's policies on repeated courses and courses other than day school.

Alternative Offers of Admission

• If you are not admitted to the program you applied to, you may be considered for admission to an alternative program, provided you meet the minimum admission requirements and spaces are available. 
• If a program is available in both co-op and regular systems of study and you're not admitted to the co-op version, you may be automatically considered for either the corresponding regular program or another related program, provided spaces are available. In some programs, limited admission to co-op is also available in second year. 

Timing of Admission Decisions

• Offers of admission are made on a rolling basis between January and May as we receive updated grades from schools. The date you may receive an offer of admission depends on the program you applied to, the course grades we have received, your grade average and any special entrance requirements (such as video interviews, Admission Information Form and portfolios for some programs). The Faculties of Engineering and Mathematics, as well as the Accounting and Financial Management and Sustainability and Financial Management, make admission decisions in March and May only.
• You can apply to multiple programs at Waterloo except for Engineering programs. 
• We want to consider all students fairly, so we may wait for updated grades from schools before making many of our admission decisions. 
• Scholarship and bursary decisions are made in May. 

Applying to Engineering programs

You may apply to 1 Waterloo Engineering program on your application to Waterloo. 

• If you are not admitted to the Engineering program you applied to, you may be considered for admission to another Engineering program. You will have the ability to choose 1 alternate Engineering program when completing your Admission Information Form (AIF). You will receive instructions for completing your AIF once you have applied. Biomedical Engineering and Software Engineering are not available as alternate choices on your AIF, so you will need to apply to Biomedical or Software Engineering directly if either program is your main interest. 

Online Video Interview required for Faculty scholarships and strongly recommended for admission. 

**To be eligible for early consideration to Engineering, you must apply by December 15, 2023 11:59 ET and fully complete and submit your Admissions Information Form (AIF) by January 15, 2024 11:59 pm ET. The Online Video Interview is strongly recommended. 

Dual Credits/SHSM Programs

• We do not recognize dual credits or SHSM programs, except for agreements with the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board for SES4U.
• Some Waterloo programs, students who complete SES4U with a mark of 75% through a Waterloo Region District School Board or Waterloo Catholic District School Board high school will be eligible to receive Earth Sciences 121 as a transfer credit upon our receipt of their completion certificate.

Deferred Admission

• High school applicants who are offered admission and who accept their offer and meet all conditions and wish to take a year off to work or travel, may request a 1-year deferral of admission. You will not be granted a deferral if you study at another postsecondary institution during the year. 

First-year Course Selection Process

• Students will receive instructions in June for selecting their fall courses.

Accessibility Services

• We encourage admitted students with disabilities to contact an AccessAbility Services: 519-888-4567, ext. 35082 | TTY: 519-888-4040 access@uwaterloo.ca

Support for Transition to University

• Waterloo has an extensive transition program that starts in the summer and continues through first year. Students can expect to receive emails starting in early June - Waterloo Ready.
• MTHEL 99: First year Mathematics Readiness course for students entering the Faculty of Mathematics.
• Bridge to Academic Success in English.
• College pathway and transfer students.
• Orientation
• Student Success Office
• Tips and advice from current Waterloo students
• Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre