How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Waterloo: Direct Entry in the Faculty of Mathematics, the Required Admission Information Form and Co-op, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

The University of Waterloo’s Computer Science program is offered by the Faculty of Mathematics, leading to a Bachelor of Computer Science or a Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science, in co-op and regular streams. You apply directly to Computer Science. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on Waterloo’s official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Program structure

• First year: in the fall, CS 135 (Designing Functional Programs), MATH 135 (Algebra), MATH 137 (Calculus 1), a communication course and an elective; in the winter, CS 136, CS 136L, MATH 136 (Linear Algebra 1), MATH 138 (Calculus 2) and two electives. Advanced-stream courses are available if you qualify.
• After first year: mostly CS courses plus Faculty of Mathematics courses, with 70+ CS courses and specializations such as Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Business, Game Design, Human-Computer Interaction and Software Engineering. You can also choose to major in Data Science at the end of first year.
• Co-op: after first year you normally alternate school and work every four months, with four possible sequences, graduating with up to two years of experience; the co-op stream normally takes five years.
• No coding background required: Grade 11/12 computer science is helpful but does not affect admission.
• Related program: the Waterloo Computer Science and Laurier Business Administration double degree is applied to separately and not covered here.

2. The AIF and math contests

• The AIF is required for Computer Science. The Faculty of Mathematics uses it to learn about meaningful experiences outside the classroom.
• Deadline: AIF and supplementary forms for Faculty of Mathematics programs are due 15 February 2027 and are not reviewed after the deadline. If you also apply to Engineering, submit by the Engineering deadline of 1 February.
• Contests: the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest (CSMC) and the Euclid contest are not required for admission, but some Faculty of Mathematics scholarships require one of them; you report them on the Supplementary Information Form (SIF).

3. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• BC: high school diploma with six Grade 12 academic courses, including English Studies 12 (or English First Peoples 12), Pre-Calculus 12 and Calculus 12 (or AP Calculus); individual selection from the low to mid 90s. Computer Science 11 is helpful but does not affect admission. Upload a transcript with second-semester midterm marks as soon as possible, as BC’s automatic marks arrive too late.
• Ontario: six Grade 12 U/M courses including Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, any Grade 12 U English and one other 4U course; averages also in the low to mid 90s.
• Waterloo notes that averages depend on applications and spaces, and are based on previous years.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Chinese system: at least 90% in Senior 3 Mathematics, Senior 3 English and an 85% Senior 3 average. If admitted, submit your diploma through CSSD-Parchment and have your school mail your final transcript (at least five Senior 3 academic courses); discrepancies can lead to a withdrawn offer.
• A-levels: A-level Mathematics at A or above, two other academic A-levels at A, and English at GCSE, AS or A-level; Chinese / A Levels students may use Senior 3 English and need one more GCSE/AS/A-level or Senior 3 academic course. Exam boards send results directly.
• IB: HL Analysis and Approaches at 6 or above, HL or SL English A, and a total of 32 (excluding bonus points).
• US curriculum/AP: AP Calculus exam at 4 or above, Algebra (Pre-Calculus), Grade 12 or Senior 3 English, and a final Grade 12 or Senior 3 average of at least 90%; SAT/ACT not required. Chinese / American system students submit a CSSD-verified Chinese diploma, or an accredited US diploma if they cannot.
• The AIF is required in all cases.

5. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT (including Home and Paper editions): from 21 January 2026, 4.5 overall with 5 in writing and speaking; earlier tests 90 overall with 25 in writing and speaking. MyBest and TOEFL Essentials not accepted.
• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall, 6.5 writing and speaking, 6.0 reading and listening, or 7.0 overall with no band below 6.0. One Skill Retake accepted.
• PTE: 63 overall with 65 in writing and speaking.
• Exemption: if your four most recent years of full-time education were in an English-language school system.

6. Deadlines

• 1 February 2027: application deadline (non-Engineering programs, including international applicants);
• 15 February 2027: AIF, supplementary forms and documents;
• first-year entry is in September only.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• First-year tuition and incidental fees (two terms, eight months, estimated from September 2026 fees, CAD): Computer Science 73,000 for international students, 18,000 for Canadians from outside Ontario and 16,000 for Ontario students; books and supplies about 1,500.
• Co-op fee: CAD 836 per school term; no tuition during work terms.
• President’s and Merit Scholarships (automatic for full-time first-year students from high school, based on the early-May average): 95%+ $2,000 plus a $1,500 International Experience Award and/or $1,500 Research Award; 90–94.9% $2,000; 85–89.9% $1,000.
• Some Faculty of Mathematics scholarships require writing the CSMC or Euclid contest.

8. Transfer students

• Extremely competitive: for BC university students, Waterloo says very few spaces (if any) are expected for transfer students; applicants need outstanding grades, especially in CS and math, ideally in a related program, assessed case by case.
• Conditions: no consideration after more than two years of post-secondary study; a minimum cumulative university average of 85% with at least 85% in each university math/CS course; high school prerequisites (for BC, English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12 and Calculus 12); and the AIF.
• Credit: assessed from syllabi after an offer, up to 10.0 units (20 courses).

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Chinese system: Senior 3 Math 90%+, Senior 3 English, 85% average; A-levels: Math A plus two As; IB: Math AA HL 6, total 32; AP Calculus 4+
• TOEFL 4.5 (5 in writing and speaking) or IELTS 6.5 (6.5 in writing and speaking)
• Apply by 1 February and submit the AIF by 15 February; consider the Euclid contest for scholarships

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• BC: English Studies 12, Pre-Calculus 12, Calculus 12; aim for the low to mid 90s
• Apply by 1 February, AIF by 15 February, and upload midterm marks promptly

Transfer students:

• No more than two years of university, 85%+ overall and in math/CS courses; very few spaces

Sources: University of Waterloo, Computer Science program; Ontario requirements; BC requirements; Chinese system requirements; Chinese / A Levels system; Chinese / American system; British system (A Levels); IB requirements; BC university transfer requirements; Admission Information Form; English language requirements; Deadlines; Tuition; Scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry. Check the University of Waterloo for the latest details.