Physics at Waterloo
Not directly. At University of Waterloo you apply to Physical Sciences, then choose physics you name your physics major when you apply; Waterloo's physics page words it as selecting the major in first year, so it is not locked at application time.
The program you actually apply to
Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op)
80–83%OUAC WPSCo-op available
Prerequisites
- English (ENG4U – min. 70%)
- Advanced Functions (min. 70%)
- Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%)
- Any two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of
- Data Management, or Physics
When you choose physics
You name your physics major when you apply; Waterloo's physics page words it as selecting the major in first year, so it is not locked at application time.
What to watch for
Four separate physics majors live under Physical Sciences — Physics, Physics and Astronomy, Biological and Medical Physics, and Mathematical Physics — and you indicate one on the application. Mathematical Physics is confusingly also one of the 16 Mathematics majors (wm), so the same degree name sits under two different admission programs with different first years and different admission bars.
The same application also gets you to
Physical Sciences (Regular/Co-op) is the entry point for 2 other majors at Waterloo. You are not choosing between these at application time.
Physics at the other campuses
Compare the entry programs side by side →- Algomanot offered at Algoma
- BrockDirect entry73–77%
- Carletonvia Science - Honours (CT)78%
- Guelphvia Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours (GZ)80–91%
- LakeheadDirect entry70%
- Laurentianvia Interdisciplinary Science (LVG)70%
- Laurier (Waterloo)via Honours Science (BSc) (UZL)73–77%
- McMastervia Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway83–87%
- Nipissingnot offered at Nipissing
- Ontario TechDirect entry70–73%
- Queen'svia Science – Physical and Chemical Sciences (QSP)80–87%
- TMUvia Medical Physics (SMP)70–75%
- TrentDirect entry70%
- U of T (Mississauga)via Chemical & Physical Sciences73–80%
- U of T (Scarborough)via Physical & Environmental Sciences (OUAC TSP)73–80%
- U of T (St. George)via Mathematical & Physical Sciences83–90%
- Westernvia Science (ES)80–87%
- WindsorDirect entry70%
- YorkDirect entry73–77%
Entry routes were researched against each university’s own program pages in 2026-08-16. Waterloo’s page. Faculties restructure — confirm before you apply.