History
In 1957, innovation and entrepreneurship brought University of Waterloo into being, as a group of business leaders imagined a new university built to tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges.
Education
Community and Professional Education (CAPE) is a collective of institutes, schools, and programs at Renison University College offering non-credit/non-degree programs, courses, and events in the areas of language, culture, and spirituality.
Research
The Office of Research is the university's central point connecting scientists on campus or those associated with Waterloo to opportunities for funding and a variety of services, including commercialization. Office of Research staff support researchers through the many phases of research including ethics review and managing funds.
Research is an integral and intensive area at Waterloo. In 2017-2018, Waterloo attracted more than $224 million from public and private sources to fund research across a spectrum of challenges. Waterloo's strength in research excellence is supported by partnerships with industry, creating opportunities that generate new knowledge and further Canada's economy.
Career
Career Advisors help all students, postdocs, alumni and employees learn about career management techniques, graduate/professional school preparation, work search methods and how to set meaningful and achievable goals, through:
- One-on-one appointments
- Drop-ins and co-op consults
- Workshops and events
University of Waterloo Key Statistics & Highlights
- #113 Ranking
- 36 Courses
- 1,412 Academic Staff
- 33,613 Students
- 7,395 Students (int'l)
- 15,798 Students (female)
- Public Institution Type
University of Waterloo Overview
University of Waterloo Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 4.1% Canada
Top 2% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
113
By TopUniversities
Climbed 6 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 115 | 119 | 113 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
199
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 2 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 192 | 197 | 199 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
No 2027 Ranking
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 163 | 162 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
No 2026 Ranking
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | 151 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
The Student Success Offices provides academic and personal development services, resources for international students, as well as study abroad and exchange support. We work closely with campus partners to create a vibrant experience for students from their first days at Waterloo, right to convocation.
Housing services
The SLC provides a casual atmosphere of recreation and relaxation for students, staff and faculty of the University of Waterloo. Come in, relax and take a break. It is the place to study, relax, do some banking, eat, visit Tim Hortons or just hang out with friends.
Library services
The University of Waterloo Library contributes to the achievement of the University's goals by collaborating with the community in teaching, learning, research and service.
The Library is committed to the values of:
- lifelong learning
- equitable access
- intellectual freedom
- confidentiality
- communication and cooperation
- continuous improvement
ICT services
In Information Systems & Technology (IST) we strive to provide effective information systems, technology and services in support of learning, teaching, research and administrative needs.
Medical services
Health Services aims to provide convenient, confidential and comprehensive medical care to registered students at Waterloo. We work in coordination with other health-related services on campus and in the Kitchener-Waterloo community.
Campus life
Campus Wellness is here to help all students at the University of Waterloo. Our professionals provide primary medical care and mental health services using an inclusive, connected, and collaborative approach.
Sports facilities
If you're looking for a great way to keep in shape and have fun, join a Warrior recreation program or a varsity team. It's also a great way to make new friends, get involved on campus, and simply enjoy yourself.
Waterloo has 2 main athletic facilities on campus as well as gyms and recreational spaces in some residences.
Student clubs
The Associate Provost, Students is responsible for the effective direction and leadership of student services at Waterloo, including:
- Housing and Residences
- Student Success Office
- Campus Wellness
- Print + Retail Solutions
- Athletics and Recreational Services
- Food Services
- Student government: Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, Graduate Student Association
- Velocity
University of Waterloo Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Canada Country
Waterloo City
University of Waterloo Student Reviews & Awards
4
Based on 95 reviews
- 5 Star 30 Reviews
- 4 Star 48 Reviews
- 3 Star 10 Reviews
- 2 Star 5 Reviews
- 1 Star 2 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.1
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.1
- Student Diversity 4.3
- Career Development 4.4
Clubs, co-op, and professional growth
My experience at the University of Waterloo has been very positive, particularly because of its strong academic rigor and emphasis on career readiness. The Legal Studies program challenges students to think critically about law, policy, and real-world issues. Courses are analytical and discussion based, and many professors bring practical insight that makes the material engaging and applicable beyond the classroom. Beyond academics, student clubs have been a major highlight of my experience. Being involved in organizations such as the Legal Society and law related student initiatives has allowed me to develop leadership, collaboration, and organizational skills while connecting with peers who share similar professional goals. These clubs provide valuable networking opportunities, skill-building events, and hands-on experiences that complement classroom learning. Waterloo�s culture is ambitious and professionally driven, which creates a motivated environment. While it can feel academically intense at times, it pushes students to grow and develop strong time management and problem-solving skills. I would recommend Waterloo to students who are looking for a structured, career focused university with strong academics and meaningful extracurricular opportunities.
Waterloo Review
I have really enjoyed my time at the university of Waterloo so far. My favourite course so far has been Peace and Conflict Studies: A History of Peace Movements, which was taught by Eric Lepp. The campus is beautiful, and there are always events you can go to to build a social network.
Very rigorous yet high-rewarding university
In my opinion, the University of Waterloo is a really strong school, especially if you�re focused on building your career. I like how it emphasizes real-world experience through its co-op program, since that can make a big difference when trying to find a job after graduation. At the same time, the workload can be pretty intense, which might make it stressful and harder to maintain a good work-life balance. It also seems like the social scene is a bit quieter compared to other universities, which could be a downside depending on what you�re looking for. Overall, I think it�s a great choice if your priority is academics and career opportunities, but it might not be the best fit if you want a more lively or relaxed university experience.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
-
Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
-
Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
-
Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
-
Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?
Improve page content