Welcome to the University of Waterloo!

We are delighted you have chosen to participate in an Exchange program at the University of Waterloo. As an exchange student, you will have the opportunity to participate in the outstanding academic programs offered at the University of Waterloo as well as experience Canada's cultural diversity.

Getting Started

In order to participate in an international exchange program, you must be enrolled at one of the University of Waterloo's Exchange Partner universities. Your home university will determine if you are eligible to participate in an exchange program; therefore, you must contact the exchange office at your home university prior to completing the online exchange application.

If your university is not among those listed as a University of Waterloo Exchange Partner, you may attend the University of Waterloo as a Visiting Student on a Letter of Permission or you can consider transferring to the University of Waterloo as a full-time degree student (for transfer students, please apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre).

Application
Credit System
Admission Results
English Language Requirements 
Tuition Fees

Application

Read all of the following instructions carefully before applying.

Undergraduate Students

All incoming undergraduate non-degree exchange students must complete the University of Waterloo's International Incoming Exchange Program Application.

There is no application fee for students applying as an incoming exchange student.

When completing the online application, you are responsible for submitting correct and complete information. Please ensure that you have access to a printer and set aside approximately one hour to complete the application.

COURSE SELECTIONS

You will be required to complete your course selections for your first term of study at the University of Waterloo. Prior to filling out the application, ensure that you follow these 3 steps:

1. View course descriptions through the Undergraduate Calendar and have courses pre-approved for credit transfers at your home institution prior to applying for the exchange.



2. Review the Undergraduate Schedule of Classes (paying close attention to the search code applicable for each term):

• for course offerings during each term
• to avoid scheduling/timetable conflicts with course selections
• NOTE: Some courses may include supplementary tutorials (TUT) or labs (LAB) in addition to the lectures (LEC). When reviewing the schedule of classes and evaluating time conflicts, you should consider these items as well (if applicable).

3. Select 5-7 courses allowing for a couple of “back-up” courses in the event that restrictions or scheduling conflicts arise.

Please note that some courses may be restricted to exchange students. These restrictions are determined by the respective academic department/faculty. You will be informed of your course approvals once your application has been processed.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Please note that full course descriptions (including notes on textbooks, marking schemes, assignments, tests, midterms, exams, etc.) are usually provided to students during their first class. Some courses have this information available to students through ACE (which is a learning management system) once they are registered in the course. However, it is primarily up to the respective professor if he/she will post the information on-line. Some professors only provide students with this information during their first class.

When researching your course selections, your best option is to search through ACE for the same course that was offered in a previous term since the course syllabus from previous terms is generally still available on ACE. The syllabus will provide additional information to the description in the undergraduate calendar but it is important to note that the course structure (e.g. specific topics, methods of assessment, textbooks, etc.) may change in future terms, especially if a different professor will be teaching the course. You can search for various courses on ACE through the following steps:

• access ACE
• under the menu entitled “Search and Help” (left hand side) click on “Course Search”
• under the “Keyword Search” box type in the particular course (e.g. FR 151)
• the content for the various course/term offerings will be listed as separate links
• click on one of the course links (be sure to click on the actual course name and not the instructor or any other field)
• if a full description is available, it will be linked under the heading “Syllabus” in the resources tab

Typically your home university will base their initial assessment on the course outlines that are available in the Undergraduate Calendar if a syllabus is not available through ACE. The course syllabus will be provided during your first class, at which time you may forward it to your home university for their full assessment.

Once your application is complete, you should print two copies of the form. Submit one copy of the completed application to your home university's Exchange Officer for approval (Note: a signature is required) and keep a copy for your records. Once approved, your Exchange Officer will forward the completed application as well as all required documents (e.g. transcripts) to the University of Waterloo.

Please address your application to the appropriate Study Abroad Manager:

For Asia/Australasia/Americas/Turkey:
Andreea Ciucurita : aciucurita@uwaterloo.ca
Study Abroad Manager

For Europe/Iceland/Scandinavia/UK:
Maria Lango
Study Abroad Manager

International Programs
Waterloo International
University of Waterloo
200 University Aveunue West
Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1 Canada

Applications must be received at the University of Waterloo by the following dates:

NOTE: Please allow up to 8 weeks for the processing of applications from the date that all necessary documents are received by the Study Abroad Manager