Architecture at Waterloo: Admission Average
University of Waterloo · Waterloo, ON
What average do you need for Architecture at Waterloo?
Architecture at University of Waterloo typically admits students with averages in the high 80s, roughly 85–89%. It ranks #15 of 18 Waterloo programs by admission average.
Portfolio and academics both required. Highly regarded nationally.
How competitive is it?
Of the 7 universities we track that offer it, none ask for a higher average and none ask for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 89% or higher is above the typical range, 85% up to 89% is inside it, and 81% up to 85% is a reach. Cut-offs move every year, so apply to a mix of schools.
Ontario applicants are assessed on their top six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the program's prerequisites. Work out yours with the Best 6 calculator.
Architecture at other universities
- University of Toronto – high 80s
- Carleton University – high 80s + portfolio
- Toronto Metropolitan University – high 80s
- Université de Montréal – high 80s + portfolio
- Université Laval – high 80s + portfolio
- University of Manitoba – high 80s + portfolio
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Physics (recommended)
- Portfolio of creative work
- One additional U/M course
First-year courses
- Design Studio I
- Architectural History
- Structures I
- Environmental Systems
- Drawing & Representation
These are typical for Architecture programs across Canada. About the Architecture degree
After a Architecture degree
Architecture usually takes 5-year BArch or 4-year BA + 2-year MArch.
- Architect – $55,000 to $120,000
- Urban Planner – $60,000 to $120,000
- Studio culture means very long hours - architecture students consistently report the highest workload of any program.
- The portfolio is the single most important admission component - start building it in G10.
- Waterloo's architecture program co-op is unique - students alternate between school and practice every semester.
Applying to Waterloo
What Architecture asks for besides your marks
- Architecture portfolio (by invitation): Date not posted yet. Only applicants selected after a first grade review are invited; the portfolio date was not found on an official 2027 page. Architecture does not use the AIF. Official page
From Waterloo's admissions pages, checked October 2026.
The University of Waterloo is Canada's most respected technology and engineering university, and operates the world's largest post-secondary co-op program. It places more graduates at top global tech companies than any other Canadian school. Admission is highly selective, and the academic culture is intensely demanding - Waterloo attracts and produces some of Canada's sharpest technical minds. The AIF (Admission Information Form) is a critical part of every application and is read carefully.
University of Waterloo is in Waterloo, ON, was founded in 1957 and has about 42,000 students. Domestic tuition is about $6,300 a year, co-op is available and first-year residence is guaranteed.
Deadlines: OUAC (Ontario) January 15.
- The AIF (Admission Information Form) is extremely important - Waterloo reads every word. Be specific and genuine.
- A strong CCC score (especially Senior) meaningfully improves CS/Math admission chances.
- Euclid contest scores are reviewed for Math and CS applicants.
Other Waterloo programs
- Computer Science – high 90s (95-98%+)
- Software Engineering – high 90s (94-97%+)
- Computer Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Electrical Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Mechanical Engineering – low 90s
- Systems Design Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Management Engineering – low 90s
- Biomedical Engineering – high 90s
- Nanotechnology Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Mathematics – high 80s-low 90s
- Computing & Financial Management – mid-to-high 90s
- Actuarial Science – high 80s-low 90s
- Statistics – high 80s
- Accounting & Financial Mgmt – low 90s
- Honours Economics – high 80s
- Kinesiology – high 80s
- Environmental Engineering – low 90s