About
At Wilfrid Laurier University, community is at the core of who we are and what we do. No matter which program you choose, you will experience the welcoming, supportive, student-focused community we are known for the moment you set foot on campus.
The Waterloo campus, home to nearly 17,000 undergraduate students, spans about 1 city block, so you are always just steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot. The Brantford campus, home to around 2,500 undergraduate students, has transformed the downtown core of the City of Brantford into a thriving student community, where former post offices are now student residences, movie theatres are lecture halls and banks are study spaces.
New in 2024, we are expanding some undergraduate opportunities to Milton. Find out what you can study at the Milton Innovation Centre when you browse our programs.
We encourage you and your family to experience Laurier for yourselves. We cannot wait to welcome you to our community!
Programs
Choose a field that you love – something that fuels your drive to make a difference. Then choose a program that will get you there. We have more than 80 undergraduate programs across 10 faculties and schools and 2 affiliated institutions.
Key Dates
Admission Requirements
Current Ontario High School Students
Admission is based on your top six 4U/M courses.
- For some programs, we include your required courses when we calculate your admission average (refer to your program page).
- A 4U English at a minimum of 60% (or higher for some programs) is required.
- All required courses listed in your program’s admission requirements must be at a minimum of 60% (or higher for some programs).
- To maintain your offer of admission and begin studying at Laurier, you must obtain your Ontario Secondary School Diploma and meet all the conditions outlined in your official offer of admission.
Canadian High School Students From Outside of Ontario
Review our Canadian course equivalents chart to find approved course equivalents for the Ontario curriculum.
- For some programs, we include your required courses when we calculate your admission average (refer to your program page).
- A Grade 12 English at a minimum of 60% (or higher for some programs) is required.
- All required courses listed in your program’s admission requirements must be at a minimum of 60% (or higher for some programs).
- To maintain your offer of admission and begin studying at Laurier, you must obtain your secondary school diploma and meet all the conditions outlined in your official offer of admission.
Home-schooled Applicants
You will be considered for admission at the discretion of the faculties. You must submit satisfactory documentation of independent evidence of academic achievement.
You must submit transcripts from your home-school program and a second assessment from one of the following:
- SAT subject results,
- ACT subject results,
- AP exams,
- University or college courses or
- Grade 12 curriculum transcripts.
In addition to these assessments, you must submit a personal statement outlining your volunteer experience, extracurricular activities and why you are interested in attending Laurier.
International Applicants
Our staff, faculty and student volunteers are dedicated to ensuring that your experience as an international student is the best it can be. We offer support specifically for international students and are committed to ensuring your health, safety and academic success.
Resources:
Find out more and review requirements for your curriculum on our International Curriculums page.
Transfer Applicants
Many college and university students just like you choose to continue their postsecondary studies at Laurier.
Whether you are looking to build on the knowledge you have learned at college or to switch gears and try something new, we are here to help you through the process of transferring institutions.
Transfer Credits
We grant transfer credits upon admission in recognition of the work completed at another institution. Depending on your academic background, you may be eligible for transfer credit toward your Laurier degree.
If you are coming to Laurier from a certain program and/or college, you may be eligible to receive transfer credits through a college pathway or articulation agreement and shorten your degree length by 1 year or more.
Get Your Degree As Soon As Possible
The Advanced Summer Acceleration Program is a purpose-designed pathway for college students, from 2- or 3-year diploma programs, entering various Honours undergraduate programs within the Faculty of Human & Social Sciences and Faculty of Liberal Arts at Laurier’s Brantford Campus.
You will start your degree 1 semester earlier in the summer and, with continuous study, complete your 4-year Honours degree in only 2 calendar years.
Indigenous Applicants
We are committed to fostering a positive experience for all Indigenous applicants and students.
Email the Indigenous student recruitment officer to discuss admission policies, funding and our programs.
Mature and Other Students
We have an admission policy specifically for mature students who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission and who have never attended a university. Find out more in Admissions Requirements.
Special Circumstances
If recent or present circumstances have impacted your ability to achieve a strong academic standing, you may submit a personal statement. The Special Case or Extenuating Circumstances form will be available through our portal after you apply.
Additional Admission Information
This is the beginning of an amazing adventure, and we want to make your application and transition to university as smooth as possible.
From admission requirements to the application process, you will be a Golden Hawk in no time. Be sure to familiarize yourself with our important dates and deadlines.
After you apply, you will receive a confirmation email with your next steps. We will keep you informed and inspired throughout your applicant journey.
Supporting Documents
Transcripts
After you apply, you must submit your required documents electronically so that we can assess your application.
If you are currently in an Ontario high school, all grade information will be submitted through the OUAC by your school.
If you are not a current Ontario high school applicant, you will submit all required documents, including unofficial copies of your transcript(s), in a supplemental application that you receive access to after you apply. Your list of required documents will be in your supplemental application.
Language 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.
There are 3 ways to meet our English-language requirement:
- submit an English proficiency test score,
- show us you have studied in an English-language school system for 3 years or
- register for the Laurier English and Academic Foundation program.
Supplemental Documents
At Laurier, we believe extracurricular involvement and personal achievements are important.
You can choose to submit extracurricular information through the Applicant Background Summary form after you apply. We may use this information for admission consideration.
The form is optional but highly recommended. You will gain access to this form through our portal after you have applied.
Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Aid
Getting a university education is an important investment in your future, but it can be daunting when you consider the total cost. That is why we are here to help.
We offer funding opportunities for your first year and beyond, including automatic entrance scholarships and bursaries.
Take advantage of our money management supports and you’ll be on your way to good financial health.
Offers of Admission
About Offers of Admission
We make admission decisions on an ongoing basis between December and May. We need to review enough grade information to be able to give you an admission decision.
If you are not eligible for admission to the program that you applied to, you will be automatically considered for an alternate offer of admission.
Offers of admission can be either final or conditional.
Conditional Offers
A conditional offer means you must satisfy certain conditions to enroll in your program. If you are currently enrolled in high school or any postsecondary studies, your offer will be conditional.
An example of an admission condition would be to graduate with a certain minimum average, or that you need a minimum final grade in a particular course. Do not worry – we communicate all of this to you when you receive an offer and want to help you enroll at the university with ease.
If you meet the academic requirements for your program, but do not meet the English-language requirement, you may receive an offer of admission that is also conditional upon meeting our English-language requirement.
Final Offers
Final offers will only be issued to applicants who are not currently enrolled in any high school or postsecondary education, and if we have received all final official documents. A conditional offer may be issued if we have final grades, but these were not sent directly from the issuing institution. Find out how to submit final official documents in Required Documents.
Accessibility Services
The Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) facilitates access to the learning environment for students with disabilities. With accommodation supports and services, the ALC works with students, instructors and campus partners to remove barriers and enable equitable academic access and participation.
Visit our ALC registration page for information about registering, including documentation requirements and timelines.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as part of our core values, and understand that the effective creation and dissemination of new knowledge must take place in an academic community that recognizes the dignity and value of each of its students, staff and faculty members.
Our Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion works to cultivate a culture on campus that respects and promotes EDI and social justice in all aspects of Laurier – from classrooms to residence communities.
Residence
Residence provides that extra care and support to help you feel at home, where live-in staff and upper-year students are committed to your personal growth and safety.
It is more than a place to eat and sleep – you will meet people who share your commitment to making the most of their university experience and form lifelong friendships.
With gender-inclusive housing options and multiple residence styles to choose from, it is no wonder why we ranked #1 in residence living 4 years in a row (2017-2020, Maclean’s).
Campus Tours and Events
In-person Tours
Know that you belong the moment you set foot on campus!
While capacity is limited, campus tours run Monday through Saturday and are approximately an hour and a half long. We ask that you keep guests to a minimum and that only those in your immediate family participate.
Video Campus Tours
If you cannot make it for one of our in-person tours, we offer an on-demand tour of the Waterloo campus and an on-demand tour of the Brantford campus that you can watch at your convenience.
Pre-recorded Residence Tours
Look inside our different residence buildings on our Waterloo campus, with our 360-degree residence video tour playlist.
Open Houses
Come experience what it’s like to learn and live like a Laurier Golden Hawk! Fall 2023 Open House dates are:
- Waterloo campus: Saturday, November 4
- Brantford campus: Saturday, November 18
Contact
Recruitment & Admissions
Wilfrid Laurier University
75 University Ave. W.
Waterloo ON N2L 3C5
Telephone: 548-889-8888
Email: chooselaurier@wlu.ca
Website: www.wlu.ca/future-students