University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Canada

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University of Waterloo - Overview & Background

The University of Waterloo is located across a 1000-acre main campus and has 100+ buildings with six faculties. It is located in the heart of Canada's technology hub and has a growing network of global partnerships which shape the future by working beyond disciplines.

It opened in 1957 with engineering and co-operative education as cornerstones. It has been ranked the second-best university in  Canada, the best for computer science in Canada and the second-best for engineering. It is also the best university for career preparation. The university has satellite campuses at Cambridge, Kitchener and Stratford.

Established 1959
Founder Ira Needles, Cornelius Siegfried, Gerald Hagey
University Type Public Research University
University Motto  In harmony with truth
University City Waterloo, Ontario
Acceptance Rate 53%
Faculty to Student Ratio 1:31
Endowment CA$441 million 
Campus Size 450 hectares (1,112 acres)
Graduation Rate 71%
Employment Rate 95.3%
Official Website Link University of Waterloo, Ontario
Contact Details +1 519-888-4567

 

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The affiliated institutions of Waterloo are:

  • list items Conrad Grebel University College
  • list items Renison University College
  • list items St. Jerome's University
  • list items St. Paul's University College
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    University of Waterloo Virtual Tour

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    Infrastructure

    The main University of Waterloo campus is in the city of Waterloo, located in southwestern Ontario, with easy access to Hamilton, London, and Toronto. They also have 3 specialized campuses (for architecture, health sciences, and digital media) in the nearby cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Stratford.

    The major research centres at the institute include:

  • list items Centre for Accounting Research & Education (CARE)
  • list items Centre for Advanced Materials Joining (CAMJ)
  • list items Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies at Waterloo (CATT)
  • list items Centre for Applied Cryptographic Research (CACR)
  • list items Centre for Bioengineering & Biotechnology (CBB)
  • list items Centre for Computational Mathematics in Industry & Commerce (CCMIC)
  • list items Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE), formerly the Centre for Contact Lens Research
  • list items Centre for Control of Emerging Contaminants (CCEC)
  • list items Centre for Ecosystem Resilience & Adaptation (ERA)
  • list items Centre for Education in Mathematics & Computing (CEMC), and many others
  • Some of the Laboratories in the Institute are - 

    1. Additive Manufacturing

  • list items Laser Additive Manufacturing LabMulti-Scale 
  • list items Additive Manufacturing Lab
  • list items Advanced Manufacturing Research
  • 2. Supply Chain and Logistics Research

  • list items Data Science Lab
  • list items Waterloo Analytics and Optimization Lab
  • 3. Operational Artificial Intelligence 

  • list items Intelligent Human-Machine Systems - 3D Imaging Lab
  • list items Knowledge Inference in Medical Image Analysis (KIMIA Lab) 
  • 4. Architecture and Design Research

  • list items DATA lab
  • 5. Energy Storage Research

  • list items 2D Materials Electrochemical Devices Lab
  • list items Applied Carbon Nanotechnology Lab
  • 6. Smart Infrastructure Research

  • list items Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies (CATT)
  • list items Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology (CPATT) Lab
  • list items Non-destructive Testing Laboratory
  • 7. Biomedical engineering research

  • list items Advanced Electromagnetics Research Laboratory (AER Lab)
  • list items Arami Research Lab
  • list items Bioelectronic Systems Laboratory
  • 8. Neural & Rehabilitation

  • list items Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research
  • list items Waterloo Composite Biomaterial Systems Lab
  • list items Biomaterials for Skeletal Reconstruction
  • list items Waterloo Engineering Bionics Lab
  • 9. Connectivity and Internet of Things Research

  • list items Broadband Communications Research Lab (BBCR)
  • list items CIARS – Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems
  • list items Coding and Signal Transmission (CST) Laboratory
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    Residential Options

    The university has residences for students; in fact, there are separate residences for students from different years.

    There are single rooms, semi-private rooms, double rooms; lots of study space along with lots of dining options. While some of them are air-conditioned; all of the residences have wireless internet service.

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    Financial Aid

    The university provides the following scholarships for international students applying for the university: 

  • list items International Master's (IMSA) and International Doctoral Student Awards (IDSA)
  • list items International Master's Award of Excellence (IMAE)
  • list items Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)
  • list items Ontario Trillium Scholarship (OTS)
  • list items Trudeau Foundation Scholarships
  • list items Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
  • list items Bursaries
  • list items Graduate funding and awards database
  • Know Scholarship Progams to Study in Canada

  • list items Hira and Kamal Ahuja International Graduate Scholarship - University of Waterloo
  • list items Know Other Canada scholarships for Indian Students
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    Notable Alumni

    Some famous alumni from University of Waterloo include:

  • list items Michael H. Albert, Rhodes Scholar, associate professor at University of Otago
  • list items Omer Arbel, Designer and sculptor and creative director of Bocci
  • list items Romesh Batra, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University professor
  • list items David Berman, Fellow of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada
  • list items Mike Bradley, Canadian Football League running back
  • list items Clifford Cunningham, Astronomer
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    University of Waterloo Location

    The closest major airport is Pearson International Airport in Toronto, approximately 100 km east of Kitchener-Waterloo. The easiest way to reach the main campus is to hire an airport limo or airporter service such as Airways Transit.

    The Region of Waterloo International Airport is 20 km from Waterloo's main campus. The airport is served by WestJet (direct flights to Calgary). 

    Greyhound Canada offers service to major cities in southern Ontario, including frequent service to Toronto. GO Transit offers service to Waterloo’s main campus daily from Mississauga and Milton. If you are travelling, the VIA Rail train station is located at 126 Weber Street West in Kitchener, Waterloo's twin city.
    During your recreation time, you can visit the Waterloo Park or the Laurel Creek Conservation Area. You can also visit the Iron Horse Trail; or, maybe the Brubacher House Museum.

    University of Waterloo Map Location

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

     

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    Frequently Asked Questions about University of Waterloo

    Is it hard to get into the University of Waterloo?

    The University of Waterloo has a 53% acceptance rate which means 53 out of every 100 applications are accepted. This demonstrates the school's moderate level of selection. Although the school is more relaxed than other institutions, you must still meet their GPA and ACT/SAT requirements. Your chances of acceptance are excellent if you fulfill or exceed their requirements.

    Is the University of Waterloo better than Toronto?

    It all depends on how you plan to launch your career. After landing your first job, the university you attended will only be significant till it serves as the foundation for your network and the beginning of your lifelong career-related networking.
    The University of Waterloo is a reputable university if you want to work in software and are interested in finding employment in Silicon Valley, the Toronto area, or elsewhere in Canada. The University of Toronto is more well-known if you intend to return to Brazil or another country abroad.

    Is Waterloo a prestigious University?

    The University of Waterloo is home to more than 100 programs in health, environment, business, math, engineering, the arts, science, and many other fields, making it one of Canada's best universities for innovation.
    According to the QS World University Rankings 2021 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, Waterloo is one of the top 175 universities in the world.

    Can I get into Waterloo with a 90 average?

    This is one of the most important queries you might have, and as you are probably aware, top students from all over the world come to Waterloo.
    Although the entry averages fluctuate a little bit each year, generally speaking, scores in the low to mid-90s for some schools and the mid- to high-90s for others indicate that you are a strong contender.