Waterloo Engineering combines direct entry to a chosen discipline with an integrated co-op structure. Here is what the application requires: grades, prerequisites, the AIF, and, for some programs or scholarships, an interview.
Prerequisites and Competitive Averages
For Ontario applicants, engineering programs typically require Grade 12 U English, Calculus, Advanced Functions, Physics, and Chemistry. Your admission average is built from your Top 6 4U/M courses, with prerequisites counted first; see Academic Requirements Decoded for how the calculation works and how IB, A-Level, and Caribbean grades convert.
Waterloo does not publish one Engineering cut-off because it reviews more than grades. The university provides program-specific competitive ranges based on past admitted students, while the AIF and applicable interview also affect the decision. Use the current range for your chosen program and treat it as guidance, not a guarantee.
The AIF: Waterloo's Supplementary Application
The Admission Information Form (AIF) is required for most Waterloo programs and is particularly critical for Engineering. It covers extracurricular activities, employment history, written responses, and program-specific questions. Engineering AIF deadlines typically land at the end of January (Architecture runs later, into March), so do not leave it until after you submit your application.
What makes an AIF stand out
Focus on impact rather than participation, use specific examples, be authentic, and proofread carefully. Our Supplementary Applications chapter includes a complete AIF guide with activity-description strategies.
How to Apply
You apply through OUAC's Undergraduate application, which places applicants in Group A or Group B based on their circumstances. The current OUAC application guide walks through both, and our OUAC 101 vs 105 guide helps you pick the right one. Offers are usually conditional on maintaining your grades, so keep your average up after acceptance.
Why It Is Worth It: Mandatory Co-op
Waterloo Engineering is built around alternating academic and co-op work terms, giving students repeated opportunities to apply what they learn in paid workplace settings. The exact sequence varies by program, so compare the current schedule for your discipline. Compare Waterloo against other schools in Engineering Programs Compared or go deeper with the University of Waterloo Complete Guide.
Get Your AIF Reviewed Before You Submit
Our peer advisers include current Waterloo students who know what a strong engineering application looks like from the inside.