If you're applying from an Ontario college, you must have an academic background at least equivalent to the admission requirements specified for Ontario high school students. It is important that your background includes courses equivalent to the required Ontario Grade 12 U and/or M courses. If you're applying from an Ontario college and have not completed the high school diploma (OSSD) and the required Grade 12 U and/or M courses or equivalents, you should contact Admissions.

If you meet the minimum admission requirements, you'll be assessed for admission and possible transfer credit on an individual basis according to the guidelines below.

Graduates of a 2- or 3-year diploma program must have a minimum cumulative average of B+ (78%) to be considered for admission.

Applicants must have the Ontario Grade 12 U program-specific course requirements (or equivalents), as outlined in the program-specific admission requirements.  These required courses must be completed within 5 years of starting classes at Waterloo.

Graduates of a 1-year diploma or certificate program must have a minimum cumulative average of B (75%) in college and have the minimum admissions average, including required courses, from high school for consideration to an Arts regular program.  Students who do not meet the minimum admissions average from high school will need a minimum cumulative average of 85% in the 1-year diploma or certificate program.

Graduates of 2- and 3-year diploma programs must have a minimum cumulative average of B (75%) from college to be considered for admission to the Arts and the Arts and Business regular (non-co-op) programs. Applicants must also have a minimum of 70% in Ontario Grade 12 U English (or equivalent). Graduates of 2- and 3-year diploma programs are not eligible for admission to Arts Departmental Co-op and Arts and Business Co-op programs.

Graduates of 4-year Applied Bachelor’s degree programs must have a minimum cumulative average of 70% in the degree program to be considered for admission to Arts regular programs and are not eligible for admission into co-op programs.

Transfer credit is awarded according to the nature and length of the diploma program completed and reflects groups of courses within those completed programs. Courses must be of an academic nature in order to be considered for transfer credit. A grade of B- (70%) or better is required in individual, transferable courses. As many as 2.5 units (5 term courses) may be awarded for each year completed at college. A maximum of 7.5 units (15 term courses) may be awarded for graduates of a 3-year program.  A maximum of 10 units (20 term courses) may be awarded to graduates of a 4-year Applied Bachelor's degree program.

Applicants must present the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses (or equivalents). As Engineering is a professional program, only university-level credits may be used to fulfill degree requirements; consequently, no transfer credit may be given for courses taken at the colleges.

Admission to Architecture is based on the required Ontario Grade 12 U courses (or equivalent) plus 2 other U or M courses. Grade 11 or 12 Art and History are strongly recommended. College-level courses are not transferable to the School of Architecture.

Graduates of 2- and 3-year college diploma programs must have a cumulative average of at least B (75%). For admission consideration to co-op programs, higher averages are often required. Applicants must also have the Ontario Grade 12 U program-specific course requirements (or equivalents), as outlined in the program-specific admission requirements. 

Transfer credit may be limited for Environment programs due to degree requirements. Transfer credit is assessed according to the nature and length of the college program completed. A grade of B- (70%) or better is required in individual transferable courses in order to be considered for transfer credit. As much as 2.5 units (5 term courses) may be considered for each year completed at college. A maximum of 7.5 units (15 term courses) may be awarded for graduates of a 3-year program, except Planning where a maximum of 5.0 units (10 term courses) may be awarded.

Graduates of a 2- or 3-year diploma program must present a minimum cumulative average of 85%. Applicants must also have the following Ontario Grade 12 U courses: Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, English and one other Grade 12 U course, or other equivalents, with a minimum overall average of A (80%). In addition, applicants to Computing and Financial Management must have a minimum of 75% in Grade 12 U English or equivalent. Graduates of a 3-year diploma program may be considered for up to 5.0 units (10 term courses) of non-Mathematics (elective) transfer credit. The minimum grade required in individual transferable courses is B (75%).

Applicants to Science programs must have adequate academic background in required subjects, including Ontario Grade 12 U courses in English, Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, and 2 of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics (or equivalents), with a minimum cumulative average of 75%.

Transfer credit varies depending on the program applied to, high school background, level of completion at college, and course/program equivalency assessment. Transfer credit will be considered only for courses relevant to studies within Science in which a minimum grade of B (75%) has been achieved.

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