Waterloo Sustainability and Financial Management (Co-op only)
University of Waterloo
The published admission average for Sustainability and Financial Management (Co-op only) at University of Waterloo is 83–87% for September 2027 entry, under OUAC code WSF.
This program teaches you business and accounting skills alongside environmental sustainability — how companies manage money while reducing their ecological impact. Unlike a straight business degree, you study both financial management and environmental systems together, and co-op is mandatory, so you work in real companies for four months at a time throughout your degree. It suits people who want a career in business or finance but care about environmental responsibility and learn best by doing real work alongside classroom study.
Plain-English summary. The universities publish requirements but not an explanation of the program, so this one is written for you and checked against the official listing above. Read the university’s own page before you decide.
Admission average
83–87%
OUAC code
WSF
First-year spaces
100
University of Waterloo publishes this as “Mid-80s”
What’s the Waterloo Sustainability and Financial Management (Co-op only) acceptance rate?
University of Waterloo doesn't publish an acceptance rate for Sustainability and Financial Management (Co-op only), and no Ontario university publishes one for any program. What it publishes is the admission average: 83–87% for September 2027 entry. Waterloo acceptance rate, program by program
Admission requirements
- Required
- ENG4U, MCV4U, MHF4U
Waterloo’s own wording
- Any Grade 12 U English (min. 75%)
- Advanced Functions (min. 75%)
- Calculus and Vectors (min. 75%)
- + 3 additional Grade 12U/M courses
- + See Ontario high school course codes.
How many other programs require these outright:
What it costs
First-year tuition at Waterloo is $6,250 for an Ontario student in arts and science in 2026–27. Engineering ($14,248) and Computer Science and Data Science ($13,126) cost more. Waterloo tuition, program by program
Source: University of Waterloo on Ontario Universities’ Info. Grade ranges change year to year and are not guarantees — confirm with the university before you apply.
What this leads to
The picture for accounting as of 2026-08-17, not a description of this particular program.
Most graduates start as accounting clerks or junior accountants processing transactions, month-end closes, and account reconciliations. Those who pursue a CPA can advance to accounting manager, controller, or financial analyst roles.
In its favour
- Job openings exist across all industries and company sizes, and accounting skills transfer easily between sectors
- Consistent long-term demand—businesses need accurate financial records whether the economy grows or shrinks
- Strong salary progression: employers prioritize pay increases for people with specialized skills and certifications
Worth knowing
- Entry-level positions increasingly require 2–3 years of co-op or internship experience—a degree alone won't get you hired
- Permanent hiring has slowed while contract and temporary roles are rising, meaning less job security early on
- Routine data entry, invoice processing, and reconciliation work is being automated; you'll need to build skills in analysis and strategy to progress past junior roles
- Many employers prefer or require a CPA designation for advancement, meaning 4+ more years of study and exams after your degree if you want senior positions
How AI is changing this work
AI is automating the clerical work that usually fills entry-level accounting jobs: data entry, bank reconciliations, invoice processing, and expense categorization. However, 85% of firms that adopt this automation redeploy their staff to financial analysis and strategic guidance—work AI cannot do alone. The risk is real if you graduate with only basic technical skills, but demand is strong for accountants who can interpret data, explain business problems, and guide decisions. Starting a degree in 2027 means you'll graduate into a field where the routine work is gone and employers expect you to move beyond it quickly.
Where this came from (6 sources)
- 1. 2026 Canada Job Market: Finance and Accounting Hiring Trends and In-Demand Roles
- 2. 2026 Canada Accounting and Finance Hiring and Employment Trends | Robert Half
- 3. 2026 Accounting Salary Guide: Automation, Skills & Compensation | Randstad Canada
- 4. Best Accounting Jobs for 2026 | Randstad Canada
- 5. Accounting & Finance Permanent Salaries Canada 2026 | Morgan McKinley
- 6. 2026 Canada Finance and Accounting Salaries and Compensation Trends | Robert Half
Deadline reminders
Application dates move, and supplementary deadlines land before the January OUAC one. We’ll email you before the ones that apply to Sustainability and Financial Management (Co-op only).
We send your email address and the programs you’ve starred, so the reminders are the right ones. Your marks and your average are never sent — they stay in this browser. Deadline emails only, and you can reply to stop them.
Similar ranges, similar subjects
Compare these side by side →- 85%Commerce (Bcom)- International Dual Degree (4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available)Ottawa
- 85%Commerce and Juris Doctor (6-year double degree) (French Immersion Stream is available)Ottawa
- 85%Sciences commerciales – double diplôme international (4 ans)Ottawa
- 85%Sciences commerciales et Juris Doctor (Double grade – 6 ans)Ottawa
- 83–87%Accounting and Financial Management (Co-op Only)Waterloo
- 83–87%ArtsQueen's