Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
Ontario, Canada | Estd in 1973 | Government University
About Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University has provided education for the past 100 years with the opening of the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in Waterloo in 1911. However, its name was changed from Waterloo Lutheran University to Wilfrid Laurier University in 1973.
The acceptance rate of Wilfrid Laurier University is approximately 75% to 85%. This means that the university is allowing students worldwide to join the institution. They must be eligible and one should carefully add information to the application form available online at the official website.
Wilfrid Laurier University is recognized at 1271st rank under the category of “Best Global Universities”. The institute also achieved 29th place under “Best Global Universities in Canada” as per US News 2024. It is considered one of the top universities in Waterloo, Canada.
Applicants can directly submit an online application (OUAC) form attached with the required documentation to Wilfrid Laurier University's official website. International students must have English proficiency in IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge English, and Duolingo as per the prerequisites given by the official site.
Wilfrid Laurier University’s application fee for graduate programmes ranges from CAD 100 to CAD 225 whereas the undergraduate application fee is CAD 166 (CAD 156 as the Base application fee and CAD 10 as an international service fee)
The Wilfrid Laurier University offers programmes through various campuses and locations which are in Waterloo, Brantford, Milton, and Kitchener.
Also Read: Top Universities in Canada
Latest Deadline at Wilfrid Laurier University
Most programs admit to the fall term only. However, some programs admit students to the spring or winter terms. Generally, the Winter term is from January to April, the Spring term is from May to August and the Fall term is from September to December. The following deadlines are there to apply at the university:
Application Deadlines in Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
Term | Deadlines |
Winter | December to early January |
Spring | Mid-March to Mid |
Fall | April to Mid July |
Wilfrid Laurier University Highlights
Wilfrid Laurier University Courses
The Wilfrid Laurier University of Waterloo provides opportunities to select from more than 100 Laurier degree programs, along with dozens of options and minors which the candidate can add to their programmes. It has more than 80 undergraduate programs across 10 faculties and schools and 2 affiliated institutions.
Some of the famous programmes to which many aspirants apply are BBA in Financial Mathematics, Business Economics, BSc and MSc in Chemistry, Criminology, Computer Science, BA in Economics, MEd in Education, etc.
Also Read: Top Courses to Study in Canada for Indian Students
Wilfrid Laurier University Fees
Wilfrid Laurier University Cost Of Living
Tuition cost varies according to the programme and its faculties. The total fee also depends on the campus location along with the associated programme fee. The basic fees for different faculties are as follows:
Undergraduate fee as of 2024-25
Faculty | Estimated Fee for 2024-25 (CAD) |
Arts, Human and Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Martin Luther University College, Music, | 33,220 |
BBA, Business Technology Management, BBA (Laurier) and Computer Science (Laurier) double degree, and BBA (Laurier) and Financial Mathematics (Laurier) double degree | 40,209 |
BBA (Laurier) and Computer Science (University of Waterloo) double degree | 68,510 |
BBA (Laurier) and Mathematics (University of Waterloo) double degree | 57,368 |
Economics (all programs) | 35,478 |
Computer Science and Data Science | 35,796 |
All other programmes | 33,220 |
The graduate fee structure is completely different as per the prerequisites of the programmes. One needs to visit the selected course page to determine the estimated cost of attendance.
Is it expensive to study at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo?
Yes, Wilfrid Laurier University is expensive for international students to pursue a degree. If it is compared with the tuition costs, the university charges a higher cost of attendance than the national average international tuition fee
International students can also look at the cost of living in Canada for further information about the expenses of necessary items including rent, food, health, and others.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Canada at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo depends from individual to individual. However, there are some fixed expenses which are as follows:
Expense list at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
Expense List | Cost (CAD) |
Student fixed fees | 4,431 |
Textbooks and academic supplies | 1,500 |
Residence and Convenience Plan Fees | 910 to 1,290 |
Residence and meal Plan Fees | 3,300 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Canada for International Students
Wilfrid Laurier University Admission and Application
Wilfrid Laurier University's acceptance rate is nearly 75% to 85%. All prospective students are hereby recommended to fill out the online application carefully as the authority is still selective in nature. They are rejecting just 10 to 15 applicants from every 100 applications.
The application is submitted after the payment of a non-refundable application fee which ranges from CAD 100 to CAD 225. All the applicants are required to provide original documents to process further.
Also Read: Study in Canada for Indian Students
How to apply at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo?
All international students can apply through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) after selecting the programmes they want to pursue. On a single application form, one can apply for admission to three programmes at Ontario universities. If you are applying to an undergraduate program, you will need to use the Undergraduate Application. If not, then directly via OUAC.
The application is completed after the payment of a non-refundable application fee which ranges from CAD 100 to CAD 225. All international students are recommended to provide original documents to the university.
To apply either for undergraduate or graduate programmes, one can follow the given steps:
Visit the official website of Wilfrid Laurier University
Click on “Apply” after opening the menu bar from the top right of the screen.
Click on the “Undergraduate” tab.
Click on “Learning about the admission process”
Click on “Apply Now”
Again, click on the “Apply Now” button on the current page
Click on “Create my account”
Fill in basic details name and date of birth
Verify using the email address
Submit documents as per the programme's prerequisites
Pay an application fee
Submit the complete application.
For graduate application,
Visit the official website of Wilfrid Laurier University
Click on “Apply” after opening the menu bar from the top right of the screen.
Click on the “Graduate” button
Click on “Start your application process”
Click on “Step 1: Apply”
Click on “OUAC (Ontario Universities Application Centre)”
Click on “Create an OUAC Account”
Add personal information with documentation
Pay the application fee and submit the application.
Documents Required For Admission to Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
The following documents are required to be submitted while applying to Wilfrid Laurier University:
Academic Transcripts
Statement of Intent
Resume
Reference letters
Test scores
Writing Sample (10-20 pages)
Master's degree (doctoral programme)
Bachelor’s degree (masters programme)
Also Read: Documents Required for Canada Student Visa
Wilfrid Laurier University Application Fees: The application fee for graduate programmes varies depending upon the type such as diploma, PhD, MFA, and many more. This non-refundable application fee ranges from CAD 100 to CAD 225. The undergraduate application fee is CAD 166 (CAD 156 as Base application fee and CAD 10 as an international service fee)
Wilfrid Laurier University Scholarship
The Wilfrid Laurier University of Waterloo offers a great range of scholarships to its national and international student body.
Some of the international-specific scholarships include:
Entrance Scholarships
President's Gold Scholarship
Laurier Scholars Awards
Inspiring Lives Scholarships
Competitive Scholarships, Awards and bursaries
Upper-Year Scholarships
The most famous ones are Entrance scholarships. All students are automatically assessed for an entrance scholarship when they apply to Laurier and are offered based on an admission average.
Winter 2024 and Spring 2024 Scholarships
Admission Average | Awards (CAD) |
95.0 – 100% USD 4,000 | 4,000 |
90.0 – 94.9% USD 3,000 | 3,000 |
85.0 – 89.9% USD 2,500 | 2,500 |
80.0 – 84.9% USD 1,000 | 1,000 |
Fall 2024 Scholarships
Admission Average | Awards (CAD) |
95.0 – 100% USD 4,000 | 6,000 |
90.0 – 94.9% USD 3,000 | 5,000 |
85.0 – 89.9% USD 2,500 | 3,000 |
80.0 – 84.9% USD 1,000 | 1,500 |
Also Read: Canada Scholarships for Indian Students
Wilfrid Laurier University Eligibility
All the candidates are required to show certain eligibility to pursue a programme at Wilfrid Laurier University.
One of the following is required for admission to undergraduate courses by Indian international students:
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)
Senior Secondary Certificate
All India and Delhi Senior School Certificate
Indian School Certificate Examination
Five academic courses from class 12 are required for admission.
Grade X board results should be submitted to confirm that 3+ years in an English-language curriculum is studied in CBSE or ICSE.
Grade XII predicted grades or final grades, if available, are required for assessment.
For masters programmes,
Four-year (honours) bachelor’s degree, or equivalent from an approved university.
Minimum of second-class honours, or B standing, or equivalent.
For doctoral programs,
Master’s degree from a recognized university.
A- average in all graduate work.
Also Read: Bachelor's Degree in Canada
English proficiency requirements
You must show us evidence of your English proficiency if you have not studied for a minimum of 3 years in an English-language school system without taking any English as a second language courses. We will communicate how to submit evidence of your English proficiency to Laurier after you apply.
English proficiency requirements for Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo
Examination | Scores |
IELTS | score of 6.5 or higher, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band. |
TOEFL | an overall score of 83 or higher with a minimum score of 20 in each component. |
Overall at 59 or higher | |
Cambridge Assessment English, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 176 overall. | |
Duolingo | Minimum score of 120. |
Wilfrid Laurier University International Office Details
According to the data of the 2021 to 2022 academic year, there are around 1,414 international students from 99 countries of the world with 113 inbound exchange students and 39 LEAF program graduates at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo. The university is hence a globally reputed institution.
For more details about the admission or any queries regarding the application, one can contact the department of Wilfrid Laurier University at the following details:
Undergraduate Admissions office
Telephone: 548.889.8888
Email: chooselaurier@wlu.ca
Fax: 519.884.0618
Graduate Admissions office
Telephone: 548.889.5574
Email: gradadmissions@wlu.ca
Is it hard to get into Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo?
No, it is not hard to get into Wilfrid Laurier University. However, the university still accepts students who are eligible as per the programmes. The acceptance rate is approximately at a range of 75% to 85%. A review before submission of an online application form is highly recommended to avoid false information in the application.
Also Read: Things To Know Before Choosing Canada
FAQ's
There is no special dress code for the students who are enrolled in on-campus studies. However, it is generally informal for all students. It can be casual wear which is comfortable for them. Moreover, students are recommended to dress appropriately for professional and special social functions.
Yes, IELTS is a mandatory entry requirement for all international students who aspire to be a part of Wilfrid Laurier University. All need to attain at least 6.5 overall score bands with no section score below 6.0. The equivalent English proficiency tests are also accepted at the institution such as PTE, Duolingo, TOEFL, etc.
The acceptance rate is around 75% to 85% for Wilfrid Laurier University. This indicates that all international students have a good chance of getting enrolled into the university. Almost 85 applications of every 100 applications are getting a positive response from the institution.
Yes, Wilfrid Laurier University is a good institution. This university is considered to be one of the best universities situated in Canadian provinces. It has been recognised impressively by US News at 29th place under the category of “Best Global Universities in Canada” in 2024. Globally, the institution is at 1271st place under “Best Global Universities” in 2024 (US News). Hence, the university is worth it.
Wilfrid Laurier University is a publicly owned institution which was opened for the first time 100 years ago in 1911. This government university has its campuses at various locations which are in Waterloo, Brantford, Milton, and Kitchener.