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Computer Science

University of Waterloo

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Checked 2026-11-05

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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.

    Official deadline
Other deadline details
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
  • MHF4UAdvanced Functions
  • MCV4UCalculus and Vectors
  • ENG4U / EAE4U / EWC4U / ETS4UAny Grade 12 U English
  • One other Grade 12 U course
Waterloo current exact programme admission requirements
Application steps

Entry terms · Fall

September 2027 first-year undergraduate entry.

Waterloo September 2027 application and document deadlines
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    Waterloo current exact programme admission requirementsWaterloo current exact programme admission requirements
  2. Step 2Apply through OUAC
    • Create your application and select this program.
    OUACOUAC
  3. Step 3Declaration of Academic Experience (DAE)
    • Complete the DAE in the Waterloo applicant portal. It updates your checklist with any required documents.
    Waterloo required documentsWaterloo required documents
  4. Step 4Admission Information Form (AIF)
    • Required for Engineering and Faculty of Mathematics programs. Waterloo sends access through its applicant portal after you apply.
    Waterloo Admission Information Form and supplementary formsWaterloo Admission Information Form and supplementary forms
  5. Step 5Mathematics supplementary information form
    • Faculty of Mathematics applicants report participation in Waterloo mathematics contests. The contests themselves are not required for admission.
    Waterloo required documents and how to submit themWaterloo required documents and how to submit them
  6. Step 6Apply directly to this programme through the official application; submit the applicant portal documents required for your education route.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo current exact programme admission requirementsWaterloo current exact programme admission requirements
  7. Step 7Select Waterloo Computer Science (WCS) and your system of study in OUAC.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo current exact programme admission requirementsWaterloo current exact programme admission requirements
  8. Step 8If you also apply to Engineering, submit its required forms and interview by February 1, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo current exact programme admission requirementsWaterloo current exact programme admission requirements

Waterloo requires the Admission Information Form for all applicants.

Waterloo Computer Science: admission requirements and study options
Applicant pathways
Ontario high-school entry

Ontario high-school applicants; average text uses the university's own published guideline

  • Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
  • Advanced Functions
  • Calculus and Vectors
  • Any Grade 12 U English
  • One other 4U course
  • Admission average: Individual selection from the low to mid-90s
Waterloo current exact programme admission requirements
Programme-specific forms and experience

All applicants to this programme

  • The Admission Information Form is required for admission.
  • Participation in the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest and/or the Euclid Mathematics Contest is not required for admission, but writing one of these contests is required for some scholarships offered by the Faculty of Mathematics.
Waterloo current exact programme admission requirements
Current AIF contents

Applicants to this programme; September 2027 entry

  • Complete four short responses, up to 150 words each: interests, community involvement, an experience reflection and goals for Waterloo.
  • List extracurricular activities and hours from January 1 to December 31, 2026. Submit the shared AIF once through the applicant portal.
Waterloo current 2027 AIF and faculty-specific supplementary forms
Mathematics supplementary form

Applicants to this Faculty of Mathematics programme

  • The supplementary form asks about Waterloo mathematics contests. Contest participation is not required for admission; some Mathematics awards require it.
  • If also applying to Engineering, submit the AIF and required forms by February 1, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, rather than the Mathematics-only February 15 deadline.
Waterloo current 2027 AIF and faculty-specific supplementary forms
Ontario students taking IB

Ontario high-school students taking IB courses, including students completing an OSSD

  • Admission uses your school's converted Ontario Grade 12 U/M marks.
  • Meet the Ontario course prerequisites listed above.
Waterloo: Ontario students taking IB
British Columbia high school

British Columbia high school

  • Six Grade 12 academic courses and a high-school diploma. Include English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12, Pre-Calculus 12, and Calculus 12 or AP Calculus.
Waterloo Computer Science admission requirements, British Columbia high school
Alberta high school

Alberta high school

  • Five 30- or 31-level academic courses and a high-school diploma. Include Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 31 and English Language Arts 30-1.
Waterloo Computer Science admission requirements, Alberta high school
Quebec Grade 12

Quebec Grade 12

  • Six university-preparation courses and a high-school diploma. Include Grade 12 Algebra and Geometry, Calculus and English.
Waterloo Computer Science admission requirements, Quebec Grade 12
U.S. curriculum

U.S. curriculum

  • Complete an accredited high-school diploma. Present Grade 12 English, Algebra (Pre-Calculus), and AP Calculus AB or BC with a score of at least 4. Minimum overall Grade 12 average: 90%.
  • Submit the College Board AP Calculus result. Waterloo does not accept a subscore in its place. Waterloo does not require SAT or ACT scores.
Waterloo Computer Science admission requirements, U.S. curriculum
Full International Baccalaureate

Full International Baccalaureate

  • Complete the IB diploma with six subjects, at least three at Higher Level. Present Higher Level Mathematics Analysis and Approaches with at least 6. Minimum total before diploma points: 32.
  • Present English A at Higher or Standard Level. Higher Level English B is accepted with at least 5.
Waterloo Computer Science admission requirements, Full International Baccalaureate
British A Levels

British A Levels

  • Pass five distinct subjects. Earn at least A in A Level Mathematics and each of two other academic A Levels. Include English at GCSE, AS or A Level.
Waterloo Computer Science admission requirements, British A Levels
Indian Standard XII

Indian Standard XII

  • Present Standard XII Mathematics, English and another Standard XII course. Mathematics and the additional course each require at least 90%. The overall Standard XII minimum is 85%.
  • Waterloo accepts a recognized Standard XII certificate with first- or second-division standing. Applied Mathematics does not meet the Mathematics prerequisite.
Waterloo Computer Science admission requirements, Indian Standard XII

Degree requirements

BCS

BCS

  • Complete at least 11.25 Mathematics-faculty units and 5.0 non-Mathematics units.
BMath

BMath

  • Complete at least 13.75 Mathematics-faculty units and 5.0 non-Mathematics units.
Other requirements and route notes
  • Complete at least 20.0 academic units for the standard honours degree.
  • Maintain at least a 60% cumulative overall average.
  • Complete at least seven full-time study terms in regular study or eight in co-op.
  • Complete two approved communication courses. Normally take the first List 1 course in your first term and earn at least 60% before 2A.
  • Co-op requires five professional development courses. Complete PD 1 before the first work term and PD 11 in the first work term.
  • Maintain at least a 60% major average across the listed Computer Science courses.
  • Co-op: Complete five credited work terms, including at least three standard work terms, and include PD 10 among the five professional development courses.
ReferencesWaterloo current programme course examples and study routesWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo: named cs academic-unit locationWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Computer Science degree requirementsWaterloo Faculty of Mathematics study and work sequencesWaterloo Faculty of Mathematics co-op requirements by planWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Computer Science BCS honours majorWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Computer Science BMath honours majorWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Mathematics degree requirementsWaterloo Computer Science BCS and BMath route comparisonWaterloo Computer Science regular and co-op schedules

Program facts

Entering average~Low to mid-90s

Individual selection for Ontario high-school applicants.

Waterloo Computer Science: admission requirements and study optionsWaterloo Computer Science: admission requirements and study options
Co-opOptional co-op

Four entry sequences usually schedule six four-month work terms, or up to 24 months. Computer Science requires five credited work terms and five professional development courses for the co-op designation.

Waterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Computer Science degree requirements
Waterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Computer Science degree requirementsCheck work experience options

Majors & specializations

Computer Science offers the BCS and BMath honours degrees. Both are offered in regular and co-op formats.

Artificial Intelligence Specialization

BCS

Explore machine learning, pattern recognition and data analysis.

Published requirements

Courses

The first two study terms are Waterloo’s published examples. Course times depend on course selection and assigned sections. Upper-year requirements differ for the BCS and BMath routes.

First-year sample; September to December3 listed

Published sample term; course availability may change.

Waterloo current programme course examples and study routes
First-year sample; January to April4 listed

Published sample term; course availability may change.

Waterloo current programme course examples and study routes
After first year: published course examples5 listed

Examples from the programme page; not a complete required-course list.

Waterloo current first-year sample and upper-year examples
Shared upper-year requirements12 listed

Choose the regular or enriched version within each paired course. CS 341 and CS 350 are required in both routes.

Waterloo 2026–27 calendar, Computer Science BCS honours major
Approved communication courses · List 17 listed

The first communication course normally comes from List 1. Both lists use half-unit courses.

Waterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Computer Science degree requirements
Additional approved communication courses · List 215 listed

Where a second communication course can be chosen, List 2 includes the courses below or another List 1 course. Check the degree rules for plan-specific exceptions.

Waterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Computer Science degree requirements
BCS

BCS

Mathematics requirements and approved alternatives9 listed

Choose one course in each of the combinatorics, probability and statistics pairs. Applied Cryptography, Honours Thesis and Computational Inference are three options for the final upper-level requirement.

Waterloo 2026–27 calendar, Computer Science BCS honours major
BMath

BMath

Additional Mathematics and Computer Science requirements9 listed

Choose one option per subject group. BMath additionally follows the shared BMath List A and Mathematics course requirements.

Waterloo 2026–27 calendar, Computer Science BMath honours major
Elective choices
BCS

BCS

  • Choose three courses from CS 340–398 or CS 440–489, plus two further courses from CS 440–489. A final approved upper-level option is also required.
BMath

BMath

  • Choose one course from CS 340–398 or CS 440–489, plus two further courses from CS 440–489 and one approved upper-level option. The plan also requires three eligible upper-year Mathematics courses.
Other requirements and route notes
  • In the published first-year sample, choose one elective in fall and two in winter.
  • The first fall communication course is a choice from the approved List 1.
  • Both degrees require 1.0 unit from Arts or BET, BUS, COMM or STV, and 1.0 unit from Environment, Health or Science. Choose 2.0 additional units from those same faculties or codes.
  • At least 1.0 of these breadth units must be at the 200 level or above. Communication requirements and math cross-listed courses cannot also count toward this breadth total.
  • Students can request advisor approval to switch between BCS and BMath. A second Mathematics major is available through the BMath route.
Study routes

Computer Science offers the BCS and BMath honours degrees. Both are offered in regular and co-op formats.

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Bioinformatics
  • Business
  • Computational Fine Art
  • Digital Hardware
  • Game Design
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Software Engineering
Study locations
Published academic-unit location
The Cheriton School of Computer Science lists its customer-service coordinator at DC 1330 and its Director of Undergraduate Studies at DC 2340. These are school contact offices; individual Computer Science course rooms are separate.Waterloo: named cs academic-unit location
ReferencesWaterloo Computer Science first-year sample, careers and Ontario admissionsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo linked academic calendar requirementsWaterloo CS 135 published department course descriptionWaterloo CS 136 published department course descriptionWaterloo CS 136L published department course descriptionWaterloo 2026/27 CS 135 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 MATH 135 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 MATH 137 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 CS 136 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 CS 136L course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 MATH 136 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 MATH 138 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 CS 341 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 CS 449 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 CS 459 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 CS 486 course description and unitsWaterloo 2026/27 CS 492 course description and unitsWaterloo: named cs academic-unit locationWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Computer Science degree requirementsWaterloo Faculty of Mathematics study and work sequencesWaterloo Faculty of Mathematics co-op requirements by planWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Computer Science BCS honours majorWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Computer Science BMath honours majorWaterloo 2026–27 calendar, Bachelor of Mathematics degree requirementsWaterloo Computer Science BCS and BMath route comparisonWaterloo Computer Science regular and co-op schedules

Careers

  • Software developer
  • Mobile app developer
  • Data scientist

Published employers

3
  • Apple
  • Google
  • Shopify
Published employersWaterloo Computer Science first-year sample, careers and Ontario admissionsWaterloo profile of Computer Science graduate Areena Akhter at AppleWaterloo profiles of Computer Science graduates at GoogleWaterloo alumni panel profile of Computer Science graduate Farhan Thawar at Shopify
Scope and qualifications

Waterloo publishes these as Computer Science career or co-op examples. Co-op roles represent past or sample jobs. Job availability depends on the employer and term.

Costs

Program or faculty

First-year estimate

2026–27 · Two terms · CAD

Ontario example · Choose your fee category

Tuition and incidental fees$16,000
Books and supplies$1,500
Residence
Residence
$8,254
Meal plan
Meal plan
$8,040
Estimated total$33,794

For the co-op stream, add $1,672 for two first-year study terms.

TuitionProgram costsResidenceMeal plansSources and notes

Last updated

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