- HBA · 4 years
- Work experience details
- ~High 80s to low 90s
Architecture
Image source
AI-generated ink illustration
Conceptual study artwork, not a photograph of teaching facilities.
Unidex · generated with ImageGen
Checked 2026-11-05
Symbolic subject artwork; no university facility depicted
5 years
Co-op required
Work experience
Six scheduled work terms. Five credited work terms are required.
Waterloo · Architecture undergraduate degree and career examples~Mid-80s
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: Mid-80s. September 2027 admission guidance. Ontario high school applicants. Selected applicants advance to portfolio and interview review.
Waterloo · Architecture undergraduate degree and career examples
Deadlines
November 2026
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Next deadline
OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Other deadline details
April · scheduled interviewPresent your Architecture portfolioSeptember 2027 entry
- Applicants invited to stage two
- April · scheduled interview
- Attend the portfolio interview in Cambridge or use the virtual option if eligible
SourceChecked
Mid to late MarchUpload your Architecture portfolioSeptember 2027 entry
- Applicants invited to stage two
- Mid to late March
- Submit the digital portfolio and complete the About You survey in the applicant portal
SourceChecked
No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry
- No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
- No single OUAC deadline
- University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply
Full source wording
Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.
SourceChecked
Requirements
Admission requirements
High-school prerequisites
ENG4UEnglish78% min.
SPH4UPhysics70% min.
- Complete six Grade 12 U or M courses and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
- Take Advanced Functions (MHF4U) or Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) with at least 70%.
Application steps
Entry terms · Fall (September)
Full-time September 2027 entry directly to Architecture (WR).
Waterloo · September 2027 application and document deadlinesStep 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
Step 3Declaration of Academic Experience (DAE)
- Complete the DAE in the Waterloo applicant portal. It updates your checklist with any required documents.
Step 4Apply to Architecture on OUAC using WR.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Step 5Open your Waterloo applicant portal and complete the Declaration of Academic Experience.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Step 6Submit any requested transcripts or English language results.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Step 7If shortlisted, upload your portfolio, complete the About You survey and indicate interview preferences.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Step 8Present your work in the School of Architecture interview. The school offers a virtual interview where travel is difficult.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Shortlisted applicants complete a portfolio, survey and interview.
Waterloo School of Architecture · portfolio and second-stage interviewApplicant pathways
Other Canadian provinces and territories
Other Canadian provinces and territories high school applicants
- Five or six Grade 12 academic courses, depending on province or territory.
- Provide English, Physics and Mathematics or Pre-Calculus. Minimum 78% in English and 70% in the other named subjects.
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate high school applicants
- Include English A, Physics and Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or Higher Level Mathematics Applications and Interpretations. Physics at Higher Level is recommended.
- Complete six IB courses with at least 4 in each and 31 points before diploma bonus points.
American curriculum
American curriculum high school applicants
- Complete six senior academic courses. Include English (82% minimum), AP Physics or equivalent (76%) and pre-calculus or AP Calculus or equivalent (76%).
Degree requirements
Required courses and electives
- Complete 27.50 academic units, including required courses and 5 approved electives.
Credits and degree requirements
- 70% cumulative overall average. Term promotion rules are separate.
- ARCH 120 satisfies the communication requirement.
- Complete PDARCH 1 and three additional professional development courses.
Work and practical requirements
- Complete five credited co-op work terms.
- Take PDARCH 1 in the spring off term. Work during that off term does not replace a scheduled co-op term.
Program facts
Entering average~Mid-80s
Ontario high school applicants. Selected applicants advance to portfolio and interview review.
Waterloo · Architecture undergraduate degree and career examplesWaterloo · Architecture undergraduate degree and career examplesCo-opCo-op required
Six scheduled work terms. Five credited work terms are required.
University work-study information- Co-op schedule
- 6 scheduled terms · 4 months each · 24 scheduled monthsWaterloo · Architecture undergraduate degree and career examples
Courses
Required term-by-term plan in the 2026–27 calendar. Waterloo has yet to publish the September 2027 academic calendar.
1A Term5 listed
ARCH 110Visual and Digital Media 10.5 creditsPractise drawing, digital media and graphic presentation for architectural work.
Waterloo course description- ARCH 120An Introduction to Architectural Ideas and Communications0.5 credits
Trace architectural ideas and learn the vocabulary architects use to communicate them.
Waterloo course description 
ARCH 142Introduction to Cultural History0.5 creditsConnect cultural history to ethical questions in architectural practice.
Waterloo course description
ARCH 172Building Construction 10.5 creditsStudy how material and construction choices shape small buildings.
Waterloo course description
ARCH 192Design Studio1.5 creditsExplore building elements and communicate early design ideas in studio.
Waterloo course description
1B Term5 listed
- ARCH 113Visual and Digital Media 20.5 credits
Use computing for architectural drawings, models and graphic communication.
Waterloo course description 
ARCH 126Environmental Building Design0.5 creditsUse climate, daylight, passive heating and cooling in low-carbon design.
Waterloo course description- ARCH 143Settlements, Sanctuaries, and Cities1 credits
Study settlements, sacred places and cities across historical periods and regions.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 173Building Construction 20.5 credits
Study how structural and enclosure systems shape larger buildings.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 193Design Studio1.5 credits
Develop small-scale designs that respond to occupants, programme and site.
Waterloo course description
2A Term4 listed
- ARCH 212Digital Fabrication0.5 credits
Use computer-aided design and manufacturing to fabricate architectural work.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 246Cultural Encounters 600-16001 credits
Study how encounters across cultures and empires changed architectural ideas and practices.
Waterloo course description 
ARCH 260Principles of Structures0.5 creditsUse forces, loads and equilibrium to understand structural behaviour.
Waterloo course description- ARCH 292Design Studio1.5 credits
Develop small design projects about personal space and its relationship to a community.
Waterloo course description
2B Term5 listed
- ARCH 225Theory and Design of the Contemporary Landscape0.5 credits
Trace ideas about nature and landscape through cultural and historical contexts.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 243Indigenous Practices0.5 credits
Study Indigenous knowledge and practices in architecture, space and land.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 248Cultural Encounters 1600-19141 credits
Connect industrial, scientific and social changes to architecture from 1600 to 1914.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 276Timber: Design, Structure and Construction0.5 credits
Evaluate timber structures, structural members and connections through architectural cases.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 293Design Studio1.5 credits
Design more complex environments with attention to human scale and public and private space.
Waterloo course description
3A Term5 listed
- ARCH 327Architecture of the Urban Environment0.5 credits
Examine the forces that shape urban architecture and the form of cities.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 342Modernisms: Local and Global1 credits
Study modernist architecture, cities and landscapes through projects and texts.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 362Steel and Concrete: Design, Structure and Construction0.5 credits
Evaluate the design and construction of steel and concrete structural systems.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 364Building Science0.5 credits
Study how materials and building design affect durability, health and energy performance.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 392Design Studio1.5 credits
Develop urban building projects with attention to materials and construction technology.
Waterloo course description
3B Term2 listed
2 approved elective slots.
- ARCH 393Option Design Studio1.5 credits
Develop an advanced design project in a studio organized around a specific research topic.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 442Contemporary Architectural Theory0.5 credits
Read architectural theory alongside contemporary work and professional practice.
Waterloo course description
4A Term1 listed
2 approved elective slots.
- ARCH 492Design Studio1.5 credits
Develop a studio project using Rome’s architectural setting and methods.
Waterloo course description
4B Term3 listed
1 approved elective slot.
- ARCH 463Integrated Environmental Systems0.5 credits
Design and integrate environmental systems in buildings, including air and water systems.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 473Technical Report0.5 credits
Investigate technical questions arising from the comprehensive design studio project.
Waterloo course description - ARCH 493Design Studio/Comprehensive Building Design1.5 credits
Bring design, construction and environmental systems together in a detailed building project.
Waterloo course description
Elective choices
- At least four electives must be additional ARCH courses. At most one 0.50-unit elective can be from another subject.
- The 2026–27 plan lists two electives in 3B, two in 4A and one in 4B.
Study locations
- Campus
- The School of Architecture is in Cambridge. Waterloo advises Architecture students to live in Cambridge and lists no student residence there.Waterloo School of Architecture · Cambridge, degree duration and co-op
Careers
- Architectural designer
- Urban designer
- Interior designer
Construction project coordinator- Sustainable design consultant
- Architectural technologist
- Landscape designer
- Heritage conservation specialist
- Architectural visualization artist
- Facilities planner
Real estate development analyst- Exhibit and set designer
- Architecture and urban design assistant
- User experience designer
Published employers
4
- SvN Architects + Planners
- Studio Vincent Eschalier
- Larkin Architect Limited
- TD Bank
Published employersAdditional verified programme outcomesCanadian Architectural Certification Board · accredited Master of Architecture degreesWaterloo Co-operative Education · Architecture student work-term profileCACB accredited Master of Architecture at WaterlooWaterloo pre-professional Architecture BAS in Cambridge
Scope and qualifications
Waterloo-published career examples. Named co-op roles and employers are examples from a 2024 student profile.
Professional recognition
Waterloo’s Bachelor of Architectural Studies is pre-professional preparation. CACB accreditation applies to Waterloo’s professional Master of Architecture.
Scope and qualifications
Waterloo-published career examples. Named co-op roles and employers are examples from a 2024 student profile.
AccreditationAdditional verified programme outcomesCanadian Architectural Certification Board · accredited Master of Architecture degreesWaterloo Co-operative Education · Architecture student work-term profileCACB accredited Master of Architecture at WaterlooWaterloo pre-professional Architecture BAS in Cambridge
Costs
Program or faculty
| Program or faculty | Ontario | Other Canadian | International | Books and supplies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Financial Management, Sustainability and Financial Management | $9,000 | $10,000 | $58,000 | $1,500 |
| Architecture | $14,000 | $15,000 | $75,000 | $8,100 |
| Business Administration (Laurier) and Computer Science (Waterloo) Double Degree | $17,000 | $20,000 | $75,000 | $1,500 |
| Business Administration (Laurier) and Mathematics (Waterloo) Double Degree | $15,000 | $15,000 | $64,000 | $1,500 |
| Computer Science | $16,000 | $18,000 | $73,000 | $1,500 |
| Computing and Financial Management | $11,000 | $12,000 | $64,000 | $1,500 |
| Faculty of Arts | $9,000 | $10,000 | $58,000 | $1,500 |
| Faculty of Engineering, Software Engineering | $19,000 | $21,000 | $75,000 | $1,500 |
| Faculty of Environment | $9,000 | $10,000 | $51,000 | $1,500 |
| Faculty of Health | $9,000 | $10,000 | $54,000 | $1,500 |
| Faculty of Science | $9,000 | $10,000 | $54,000 | $1,500 |
| Geography and Aviation | $9,000 | $10,000 | $51,000 | $1,500 |
| Science and Aviation | $9,000 | $10,000 | $54,000 | $1,500 |
| Global Business and Digital Arts | $14,000 | $16,000 | $56,000 | $1,500 |
| Mathematics (includes 16 majors), Mathematics/ Business Administration, Mathematics/Chartered Professional Accountancy | $9,000 | $10,000 | $62,000 | $1,500 |
| Mathematics/Financial Analysis and Risk Management | $12,000 | $14,000 | $63,000 | $1,500 |
First-year estimate
2026–27 · Two terms · CAD
Ontario example · Choose your fee category
Tuition and incidental fees$14,000
Books and supplies$8,100
Co-op fee$1,672
$836 × 2 study terms
Estimated subtotal$23,772
Off-campus housing and food are outside this estimate.
Supplies include a laptop, studio equipment and field trips. Waterloo recommends living in Cambridge for Architecture.
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