Minimum academic requirements
Canada and United States education background
Have at least a 75% overall standing in the last two years of a four-year Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
International education background
Have at least a 75% overall standing in a four-year Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
International admission equivalencies
China, People’s Republic of
Minimum equivalent qualifications (for admission to Master's program):Bachelor (4 years) from a recognized university
Minimum overall academic standing:80/100
English language proficiency (ELP)
English — Waterloo's official language of instruction
The official language of instruction at the University of Waterloo is English. It's our responsibility to ensure that you have sufficient English language skills to be successful in your graduate program.
You are exempt from submitting an English language proficiency examination score if any one of the following conditions is true:
You have completed three or more years of post-secondary education or completed a graduate degree at a Canadian institution or university
You have completed three or more years of post-secondary education or completed a graduate degree at a university at which English was the primary language of instruction, as indicated on our ELP exemption list*
You have been employed for at least three years in a position in which English was the language of business in a country listed on our ELP exemption list*
Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time the application is submitted. Tests that do not appear on this chart are not accepted for admission consideration. The University of Waterloo reserves the right to request an English language test result from any applicant.
Graduate Studies accepted examinations and required scores
| Internet-based TOEFL(iBT) | IELTS (Academic) | MELAB | CAEL | PTE (Academic) | EFAS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90; writing 25; speaking 25 | 7.0; writing 6.5; speaking 6.5 | 85; 80 per section; speaking 3 | 70; 60 per band; 70 writing; 70 speaking | 63; writing 65; speaking 65 | 75% overall in level 400 with at least 75% in writing, oral and academic skills | |
Graduate Studies accepted examinations and alternative minimum scores
Departments accepting the alternative minimum scores are: Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, and Systems Design Engineering.
| Internet-based TOEFL(iBT) | IELTS (Academic) | MELAB | CAEL | PTE (Academic) | EFAS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80; writing 22; speaking 20; reading 20; listening 18 | 6.5; writing 6.0; speaking 6.0 | 80; 78 per section; speaking 3 | 60; 60 per band | 60; writing 60; speaking 60 | 75% overall in level 300 with at least 75% in writing, oral and academic skills or 70% in level 400 with at least 70% in writing, oral and academic skills | |
Graduate Studies accepted examinations and alternative higher scores
Departments/Schools requiring higher scores are: Accounting and Finance, Applied Mathematics, Anthropology, Architecture, Classical Studies, Climate Change, Computer Science, Digital Experience Innovation, English Language and Literature, Environment and Business, Environment, Resources, and Sustainability, Fine Arts, Geography and Environmental Management, Global Governance, History, Local Economic Development, Philosophy, Planning, Public Service, Quantitative Finance, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Religious Studies, Sociology.
| Internet-based TOEFL(iBT) | IELTS (Academic) | MELAB | CAEL | PTE (Academic) | EFAS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100; writing 26; speaking 26; | 7.5; writing 7.0; speaking 7.0 | 90; 80 per section; speaking 3 | 70; 60 per band; 70 writing; 70 speaking | 68; writing 65; speaking 65 | 80% overall in level 400 with at least 75% in writing, oral and academic skills | |
*updated January 19, 2016*
