If you love things that move, this is the program for you! In Mechanical Engineering at Waterloo, you’ll develop the skills you need to design everything from switches to spacecraft.

You’ll get a broad foundation in all aspects of mechanical design: mechanics, power, control, and manufacturing. You’ll also learn to lead large, multidisciplinary teams, solve problems, come up with high-impact innovations, and have the chance to apply it all to real work experiences in co-op. Plus, with two years of career-relevant experience on your résumé by the time you graduate, you’ll definitely impress potential employers.

Do you want to join the Mechanical Engineering Program at Waterloo? Keep reading to discover more information about the program and how you can get in!

Why Choose Mechanical Engineering at Waterloo?

Endless career possibilities. Graduates from this program work in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, green energy, and oil.

Knowledge is power. Combine technical know-how with knowledge of fluids, power, and energy systems to create new technologies.

Things to Know About Mechanical Engineering Waterloo:

• Waterloo graduates often pursue careers in automation, automotive aerospace, and forensics. They commonly work for media companies, technology companies, vehicle manufactures, and more.
• By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
• Have fun and develop hands-on experience through one or more of the 20+ student-led design teams! Design teams include rocketry, concrete canoe, robotics, solar car, submarine racing, autonomous vehicle, Space X Hyperloop, Engineers Without Borders, and more. You’ll meet people with similar interests and goals, benefit from networking with experts in the engineering profession, and develop some great skills for your résumé.

First Year Courses at Mechanical Engineering Waterloo

During your first year, you’ll take a mix of foundational engineering and math courses. In upper years, most of the classes you’ll take will be in Mechanical Engineering.

The courses you might take include:

• Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice 1
• Chemistry for Engineers
• Linear Algebra for Engineering
• Calculus 1 for Engineering
• Mechanics
• Seminar
• Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Practice 2
• Structure and Properties of Materials
• Electrical Circuits and Instrumentation
• Calculus 2 for Engineering
• One Complementary Studies Elective Course

Learn more about the courses you’ll take for your Mechanical Engineering degree.

How To Apply to Mechanical Engineering Waterloo

Before you apply for the program, you’ll need to see if you meet the admission requirements first!

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including:

• Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
• English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Not studying in Ontario? Search these admission requirements!

Admission averages: Individual selection from the low to mid-90s. Keep in mind that the higher your average, the more competitive of an applicant you are for the program!

Admission Information Form (AIF)

When Waterloo makes its admissions decisions, they look at other factors in addition to grades. You can use the Admission Information Form (AIF) to tell more about yourself and any extracurricular activities, and brag a little!

What is the Admission Information Form?

It’s an online form that consists of short answer questions and helps the admissions committees learn more about you. They use the AIF in place of personal statements or essays that other universities may require. It’s a required part of the application process for all programs in the Faculties of Engineering.

If you apply to Waterloo Engineering and don’t submit your form, you will probably not get an offer, even if you have a 99% high school average and meet all the other requirements.

You don’t need to write a personal essay for Admission Information Form. It consists of short answer questions such as the following.

• What extracurricular activities have you participated in? What did you learn?
• If you took courses outside of your regular day school, why?
• Tell us what you’ve learned through any volunteer experiences.
• If you’re applying to any math, engineering, science, and computer science programs, have you completed any of Waterloo’s math and science contests?

How do you submit your AIF?

1. Create an account in Quest, Waterloo’s online student information system.
2. Once you have a Quest account, you can log in and complete the questions before the AIF deadline.
   1. The AIF is not accessible on mobile devices.
   2. Watch our videos about how to complete your AIF.
   3. Step-by-step screen shots on our Quest website can also walk you through the process.
   4. Tip: Be sure to click <submit> on each page when completing your form in Quest.
3. They recommend preparing your answers in advance so that you can check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar before submitting!
4. Review common questions about the Admission Information Form

Apply on OUAC:

If you plan to be a full-time Waterloo student, you’ll apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), which handles applications to each of Ontario’s universities.

Applying through the OUAC means that you’ll apply or submit grades to the OUAC instead of multiple Ontario universities. OUAC will send your information to each Ontario university you apply to.

• Ontario high school students If you’re currently registered in an Ontario high school, you’ll apply using the OUAC 101 application.
• All other students You’ll use the OUAC 105 application for full-time studies. If you’re interested in part-time or online studies, there is a separate application process.

Within two weeks of receiving your application from the OUAC, the university will email you with your Waterloo student number and any actions you might need to take.

You can submit your applications through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), starting in early October. Although the final date to submit your application is January 13, we strongly encourage you not to wait until the deadline to apply. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and some admission categories fill up quickly.

The steps below will guide you through the application process.

You apply online at the Ontario Universities Application Centre’s (OUAC) website.

• Include a valid and unique e-mail address that only you can access/use. Queens and many Ontario universities use e-mail to send important information.
• Apply before the recommended deadline (January 13) to ensure your application is processed without delays.
• If you are required to submit an English Language Proficiency test result, please upload it directly on your application portal prior to April 1, 2022.

Application Deadlines

Here are a few important dates and deadlines to help guide you through the application process.

What is due by the documents deadline?

• Admission Information Form
• English language test results (if applicable)
• Transcripts (for students not currently registered in an Ontario high school)

The Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) and Sustainability and Financial Management (SFM) programs have an assessment.

Engineering programs recommend completing a video interview by the documents deadline.

After you Apply:

Once you have applied, there are a few things you can do to keep your application on track:

• Create your Quest account to submit documents and to check your application status.
• Complete your Admission Information Form to make your application stand out.
• Send in your grades if you are not an Ontario student.
• Visit in person or online: campus tours, webinars, and info sessions.
• Go to the Waterloo Wednesday webinars: learn about programs, student life, and more.
• If you’re applying to Waterloo Engineering and haven’t seen the Road to Engineering blog, you’re missing out! It has great insights about Engineering admissions, including the Admission Information Form.

Waterloo Mechanical Engineering Scholarships

The annual fees for domestic students in the Waterloo Mechanical Engineering program are currently $16,000 for tuition and around $2,100 for books and supplies. Without question, this program is a big investment!

To help you tackle that investment, Waterloo offers tons of scholarships (based on academic or personal achievement), and bursaries (based on financial need). There are various entrance scholarships for Engineering students at Waterloo — several being at $10,000 over eight academic terms (normally the length of your degree)!

• Most scholarships do not require an application, but there are some exceptions listed here.
• Scholarships are normally awarded in mid-May once Waterloo receives updated grades from Ontario high schools. Details will be listed in your Waterloo Quest account starting in mid-May.

You can also visit Waterloo’s awards website to search the full list of entrance scholarships, awards, and bursaries. Once you’re a Waterloo student, there are scholarships and bursaries you can apply to throughout your degree!

Want to better your chances of getting into Mechanical Engineering at Waterloo?

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