University of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship
An automatic, no-application-needed entrance scholarship of CAD 10,000 for high-achieving international students admitted to first-year undergraduate programs at the University of Waterloo.
Quick Facts
Status
Applications OpenFunding
Partial FundingDeadline
Automatic consideration upon admission; regular undergraduate application deadlines typically fall between December and February depending on program
Country
CanadaAbout the University of Waterloo International Student Entrance Scholarship
The University of Waterloo, renowned for its co-operative education programs in engineering, computer science, and mathematics, automatically awards International Student Entrance Scholarships to outstanding international applicants entering their first year of undergraduate study. No separate application is required; eligibility is assessed directly from the regular admission file.
Twenty scholarships worth CAD 10,000 each are awarded annually to international fee-paying students admitted to full-time, first-year degree programs, with selection based on admission average (typically 90% or higher) combined with any Faculty-specific entrance scholarship criteria that may apply in engineering, math, or science programs.
Waterloo is particularly attractive to international students because of its mandatory co-op program in many faculties, which places students in paid industry work terms alternating with academic terms, meaning students can offset living costs and gain Canadian work experience even without additional scholarship funding.
Because the scholarship is automatic, applicants do not need to submit essays, reference letters, or a separate scholarship application; the university's admissions committee identifies eligible students directly from the regular admissions file during the standard offer process.
Renewal is not automatic; the CAD 10,000 award is a one-time, first-year entrance scholarship, so students should also research the broader landscape of in-course Waterloo awards, external scholarships, and co-op earnings to fund subsequent years of study.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Automatic award with zero extra application burden for high-achieving international admits
Waterloo's co-op program offers a practical path to fund years two through four through paid work terms
Strong global reputation in engineering, computer science, and mathematics, with close industry ties
Large, well-established international student community with dedicated support services
Relatively predictable, transparent entrance-scholarship criteria compared to holistic-review US schools
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in Canada
Canada is an increasingly popular destination for Pakistani undergraduates due to relatively affordable tuition compared to the US/UK, straightforward study permit processes, and post-graduation work permit pathways.
Eligibility Requirements
4 requirements
Documents Checklist
4 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1: Apply for undergraduate admission to Waterloo through the standard application portal.
Step 2: Submit required transcripts, test scores, and any program-specific supplementary information.
Step 3: Receive an admission offer; scholarship eligibility is assessed automatically as part of the offer.
Step 4: If awarded, the scholarship amount is confirmed within the admission/offer package, with no further action needed.
Step 5: Maintain full-time enrollment through the first two terms to retain the award.
Application Timeline
October
Applications open
For the following September intake
December-February
Application deadlines
Varies by faculty/program
January-May
Admission and scholarship offers
September
Term begins
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Apply as early as possible within the admission cycle since some programs (like Computer Science) are highly competitive
Complete any required supplementary application (e.g., Engineering or CS admission information form) carefully, as it affects both admission and scholarship consideration
Maintain the strongest possible final-year grades, since the 90%+ threshold is assessed on your admission average
Research co-op program details for your intended major, since paid work terms significantly offset costs after year one
Look into Waterloo's in-course scholarships and external Canadian scholarships for years two through four
Contact Waterloo's international student office with questions about credential equivalency for your home education system
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions - click any to expand
No, it is awarded automatically to eligible international students based on their regular admission file.
CAD 10,000, awarded as a one-time entrance scholarship for the first year of study.
No, it is a one-time first-year award; students typically fund later years through co-op earnings and other scholarships.
Generally an admission average of 90% or higher, combined with any Faculty-specific criteria.
Ready to Apply?
Head to the official portal and start your application today.
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