IELTS score requirement for University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo based in Waterloo, Ontario publishes both an institutional baseline and 4 programme-specific IELTS thresholds. The cards below show the institutional minimums; the programme table further down lists the courses (including Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET)) where the bar is meaningfully higher.
Undergraduate admission requires overall 6.5 with at least 6.5 in both Writing and Speaking, and at least 6.0 in Reading and Listening. The Faculty of Engineering and several School of Architecture programmes raise the Writing minimum further.
Most graduate programmes require overall 7.0 with at least 6.5 in Writing and Speaking. The Faculty of Engineering admits at 6.5 / 6.0 for some master's streams; arts and humanities programmes typically require 7.5 / 7.0.
Last verified 2026-05-19. The figures on this page are taken from University of Waterloo's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About Waterloo and its IELTS requirement
Waterloo is best known globally for its co-op engineering and computer-science programmes. Undergraduate admission requires 6.5 overall with explicit 6.5 minimums in Writing and Speaking — slightly stricter on productive skills than other Canadian U15 schools. Graduate admission is typically 7.0 / 6.5.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
Undergraduate applicants to Waterloo need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. Undergraduate admission requires overall 6.5 with at least 6.5 in both Writing and Speaking, and at least 6.0 in Reading and Listening. The Faculty of Engineering and several School of Architecture programmes raise the Writing minimum further.
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 7.0 with no band below 6.5 (CEFR C1). Most graduate programmes require overall 7.0 with at least 6.5 in Writing and Speaking. The Faculty of Engineering admits at 6.5 / 6.0 for some master's streams; arts and humanities programmes typically require 7.5 / 7.0.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several Waterloo programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes Bachelor of Architecture (overall 7.0), Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) (overall 7.5), MASc / PhD Computer Science (overall 7.0). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.
How to prepare for the Waterloo IELTS minimum
A target of 6.5 (CEFR B2) is achievable for candidates with strong school-level English and 4-8 weeks of focused IELTS practice. The fastest gains usually come from Listening and Reading because the question types are predictable and trainable. Sit a full-length practice test first, identify the section that pulls your overall down most, and drill that section before scheduling the live exam.
Programme-specific IELTS minimums
These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.
| Programme | Overall | Per-section |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Architecture | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Master of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) | 7.5 | 7.0 |
| MASc / PhD Computer Science | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| MEng Engineering | 6.5 | 6.0 |
Other English tests Waterloo accepts
TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 25 W and 25 S for most undergraduate programmes; 100 with 26 W / 26 S typically required at the graduate level. Duolingo English Test accepted (typically 120+) at the undergraduate level.
Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.
Common questions
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See where you stand against the Waterloo minimum
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