Skip to content

Environment, Resources and Sustainability

University of Waterloo

Forestry and Conservation: blue ink subject illustration
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

Deadlines

November 2026

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
1
2345678
9101112131415
161718202122
23242526272829
30

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
  • ENG4U / EAE4UAny Grade 12 U English70% min.
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma and six Grade 12 U or M courses including the listed prerequisites.
Waterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirements
Application steps

Entry terms · Fall

September 2027 first-year entry through OUAC WER.

Waterloo September 2027 application and document deadlines
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    Waterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirementsWaterloo WER Ontario high-school 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 4Apply to Environment, Resources and Sustainability (WER) on OUAC and choose regular or co-op.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirementsWaterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirements
  5. Step 5Complete the Declaration of Academic Experience in your Waterloo applicant portal.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirementsWaterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirements
  6. Step 6Check the portal for transcripts and English-language documents if requested.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirementsWaterloo WER Ontario high-school admission requirements
Applicant pathways
International Baccalaureate

Applicants following the IB Diploma admission route

  • Full IB Diploma with six subjects, including at least three at Higher Level. Total 27 before diploma points.
  • HL or SL English A with at least 4, or HL English B with at least 5.
Waterloo WER International Baccalaureate admission requirements

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements
  • Complete 40 courses or 20.0 units, including the approved ERS core and 13.5 units above the 100 level.
  • Maintain 65% overall and 70% major averages each term.
ReferencesWaterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirementsWaterloo Environment, Resources and Sustainability
Work and practical requirements
  • Co-op students complete four successful work terms and four professional development courses.
ReferencesWaterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirementsWaterloo Environment, Resources and Sustainability

Program facts

Entering average~High 70s

Waterloo’s approximate admission guidance for Ontario high-school applicants.

Waterloo Environment, Resources and SustainabilityWaterloo Environment, Resources and Sustainability
Co-opCo-op details

Optional co-op. Five four-month terms scheduled, four successful terms required. First work term in winter of second year.

University work-study information
Waterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirementsCheck work experience options

Courses

Honours regular and co-op sequences share the same academic course requirements. Timing follows the selected sequence.

1A · Fall3 listed

Add electives to reach the normal 2.5-unit term.

  • ERS 101Approaches: Environment, Resources and Sustainability
  • ENVS 178Environmental Applications of Data Management and Statistics
  • ENVS 195Introduction to Environmental Studies
Waterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirements
1B · Winter3 listed

Add electives to reach the normal 2.5-unit term.

  • ERS 102At Home in the Universe
  • ENVS 131Communications for Environmental Professionals
  • ENVS 200Field Ecology
Waterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirements
2A · Academic term3 listed

The 2B academic term is available for electives.

  • ERS 201Environmental Policy, Politics and Governance
  • ERS 202Natural Resources Ecology
  • ERS 215Introduction to Environmental Assessment
Waterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirements
3A · Academic term3 listed

The 3B academic term is available for electives.

  • ERS 300Social Ecological Systems Analysis
  • ERS 301Sustainability Thought, Practice and Prospects
  • ERS 302Research Methods and Design
Waterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirements
4A and 4B · Final-year choices3 listed
  • ERS 400Social-Ecological Approaches to Sustainability
  • ERS 402Senior Honours Seminar

    Pair with one 300- or 400-level ERS course.

  • ERS 403A / ERS 403BSenior Honours Thesis

    Approved alternative to the seminar route.

Waterloo ERS honours regular and co-op degree requirements
Elective choices
  • Complete 3.5 units of ERS or ENVS core electives. Waterloo specifies at least 2.0 units labelled ERS.
  • Follow the rules for the Senior Honours Seminar or the approved two-term thesis.
Study routes

Direct entry to ERS. The department publishes distinct regular and co-op sequences.

  • Honours BES regular
  • Honours BES co-op
  • Senior Honours Seminar or approved thesis option

Careers

  • Sustainability analyst
  • Natural resource planner
  • Environmental consultant

Career sectors

3
  • Environmental consulting
  • Federal, provincial and municipal government
  • Environmental and community organizations
Career sectorsWaterloo Environment, Resources and SustainabilityWaterloo ERS graduate career sectors and further study
Scope and qualifications

Waterloo lists further study in areas including natural resources, urban planning, law, geography and biology.

Waterloo’s ERS programme career and co-op examples, with career sectors published by the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability.

Costs

Program or faculty

First-year estimate

2026–27 · Two terms · CAD

Ontario example · Choose your fee category

Tuition and incidental fees$9,000
Books and supplies$1,500
Residence
Residence
$8,254
Meal plan
Meal plan
$8,040
Estimated total$26,794
TuitionResidenceMeal plansSources and notes

Last updated

Suggest to a student