Bachelor Programme
Software Engineering
Software Engineering at Waterloo is offered by both the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Mathematics and treats software as an engineering discipline. Alongside programming, students study algorithms, software architecture, digital hardware and human-computer interface design, and learn to manage projects and work in teams. The program is co-op only, so classroom terms alternate with paid work terms at technology companies and start-ups from the end of first year.
University
University of Waterloo
Country
Canada
Level
Bachelor
Field
Software Engineering
Duration
5 years (co-op)
Language
English
Campus
Waterloo
Degree
Bachelor of Software Engineering
Intake
September
Application Deadline
January 15, 2027 (documents, Admission Information Form and online interview due February 1, 2027)
Tuition Information
Estimated first-year tuition and incidental fees: CAD 75,000 for international students, CAD 21,000 for Canadian students from outside Ontario and CAD 19,000 for Ontario residents. Waterloo's estimate for two terms (eight months) based on fees for students starting in September 2026; books and supplies about CAD 1,500 extra. Co-op students also pay a co-op fee of CAD 836 per school term.
Admission Requirements
- Admission Information Form, a Software Engineering supplementary information form and an online Software Engineering interview are required (due February 1, 2027)
- Programming experience (a Grade 11 or 12 computing course or equivalent, or self-study) is required
- Ontario: six Grade 12 U/M courses including Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry, Physics and English (ENG4U), each with a minimum final grade of 70%; admission average: individual selection from the low to mid-90s
- IB: Mathematics Analysis and Approaches and Physics (HL recommended), Chemistry and English A, minimum 4 in each, plus one other HL or SL course (minimum 4); total 31 with 6s and 7s recommended (IB diploma with at least three HL courses)
- Not studying in Ontario or IB? Waterloo's admission requirements tool lists the equivalent courses for other provinces and countries
- English language proof, if required (four most recent years of full-time study not in English): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (6.5 writing and speaking, 6.0 reading and listening), TOEFL iBT 4.5 overall with 5 in writing and speaking (90 overall with 25/25 for tests before January 21, 2026), PTE Academic 63 (65 writing and speaking) or Duolingo 120 (125 Literacy and Production), due by the document deadline