Architecture at Waterloo
Yes — architecture is a direct-entry program at University of Waterloo. You apply to it from Grade 12.
You apply to
Architecture (Co-op Only)
83–87%OUAC WRCo-op availableSupplementary application
Prerequisites
- English (ENG4U – min. 78%)
- Advanced Functions (min. 70%) or Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%)
- Physics (min. 70%)
What to watch for
You apply straight to WR on OUAC, but admission is a two-stage process: Waterloo's own site confirms Stage 1 is the OUAC application by the deadline (no AIF needed for Architecture, unlike most other Waterloo programs), then in early March students with competitive averages are invited to Stage 2, where they upload a portfolio, complete a short 'About You' survey, and do an interview in April at the Cambridge campus (not the main Waterloo campus). Required Grade 12 courses include MHF4U, MCV4U, SPH4U at 70%+ and ENG4U at 75%+, plus recommended art/design courses - don't skip the art courses thinking they're optional extras, since the portfolio is described as an essential, heavily-weighted part of admission.
Architecture at the other campuses
Compare the entry programs side by side →- Algomanot offered at Algoma
- Brocknot offered at Brock
- CarletonDirect entry75–77%
- GuelphDirect entryNot published
- Lakeheadnot offered at Lakehead
- LaurentianDirect entry75%
- Laurier (Waterloo)not offered at Laurier
- McMasternot offered at McMaster University
- Nipissingnot offered at Nipissing
- Ontario Technot offered at Ontario Tech
- Queen'snot offered at Queen's University (Kingston) as an undergraduate degree
- TMUDirect entry90%
- Trentnot offered at Trent
- U of T (Mississauga)not offered at UTM
- U of T (Scarborough)not offered at UTSC
- U of T (St. George)Direct entry87–93%
- Westernnot offered at Western University
- Windsorvia Visual Arts and the Built Environment (VABE) (NFB)75%
- Yorknot offered at York
Entry routes were researched against each university’s own program pages in 2026-08-16. Waterloo’s page. Faculties restructure — confirm before you apply.