Wilfrid Laurier University
Gallery
Overview
At a Glance
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- Urban Centre Size
- Medium (150-500K)
- Number of Students
- 18,000
- DLI Number
- O19395164307
- Main Campus Region
- West
- Phone
- 1-519-884-0710
- international@wlu.ca
- Summary
Wilfrid Laurier University is proud to offer a truly Canadian university experience to international students.
Every year, Laurier welcomes international students into an inclusive, friendly community that celebrates diversity and culture. Students at Laurier are inspired together to use their university education to build knowledge and experience that improves society to make a difference in their communities, and to become the world’s future leaders, researchers, artists, business owners and changemakers.
Laurier students receive the education and experience they need to succeed in all aspects of life while growing professionally and personally and making life-long friends from Canada and around the world.
Profile
For more than 110 years, Wilfrid Laurier University has been a premier destination for students from around the world. Laurier provides students with an excellent academic experience while also preparing them for future success with hands-on and experiential learning opportunities and extra-curricular activities.
Academic excellence:
- Ranked in the top 6% of universities worldwide based on quality of education, alumni employment and research performance
- 80+ traditional and innovative undergraduate programs
- 25 research centres and institutes
- 1:25 faculty to student ratio
- Ranked #1 in the Americas for student-teacher interactions
Hands-on and experiential learning:
- Canada’s largest business degree co-op program
- International Student Work Experience Program provides firsthand Canadian work experience
- Community Service-Learning opportunities help with career preparation
- Workshops on money management, career development, software skills and more
- Thousands of student experiences to be explored
- The Laurier Experience Record tracks hands-on learning and is the first of its kind in Canada
Extra-curricular activities:
- 300+ clubs and organizations led by students, for students
- 50+ fitness classes and athletic activities available each week
- Award-winning intramurals program
- State-of-the-art fitness and recreation facilities
Laurier’s English-proficiency pathway:
- The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program provides you with the English-language skills you need to meet your English proficiency requirements for Laurier
- Complete a course for credit towards your degree before you begin undergraduate studies
- Build knowledge and understanding on how to succeed as a university student
- Four intakes every year: January, April, June, September.
Success in the future:
- 93.3% of 2021 international graduates secured employment or went on to graduate studies
- 105,000+ alumni living in more than 100 countries around the world
- Graduates may be eligible to apply for a Canadian post-graduation work permit
Sign up for more information about Laurier (Opens In A New Tab)
Requirements and Admissions
Admission Requirements
To apply to Laurier, you will need to meet the curriculum-specific requirements, as well as any requirements specific to the programs to which you’re applying. All program-specific requirements can be found on the program pages .
English Proficiency Requirements
Laurier’s language of instruction is English and you may be required to provide proof of your English proficiency as part of the application process. Review the important dates and deadlines to make sure you submit your documents on time.
Students who wish to strengthen their English proficiency as well as build skills and knowledge for success in university can register for the Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program . Successfully completing the LEAF Program is accepted as proof of English proficiency, meaning no additional English tests are required.
Admissions Process
You can apply online to Laurier through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) using the 105 application. Once we receive your application, we will contact you at the email address you provided on your application with more information on your next steps, including how to access your applicant portal, submit your required documents , strengthen your application and more.
Our application checklist outlines all the steps in the admissions process.
Accept Your Offer
Have you received an offer of admission? Congratulations! See the next steps to accept your offer and prepare to start your studies at Laurier.
Programs
View Institution Programs (Opens In A New Tab)
- Accounting and related services
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies, other
- Biochemistry/biophysics and molecular biology
- Biology, general
- Biotechnology
- Business administration, management and operations
- Chemistry
- Communication and media studies
- Communication, journalism and related programs, other
- Computer science
- Criminology
- Economics
- Education, general
- English language and literature, general
- English literature
- Ethnic, cultural minority, gender, and group studies
- French language and literature, general
- Geography and cartography
- Health and physical education/fitness
- Health services/allied health/health sciences, general
- History
- Human development, family studies and related services
- Journalism
- Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities
- Mathematics
- Music
- Neurobiology and neurosciences
- Physical sciences, general
- Physics
- Psychology, general
- Public health
- Second language learning
- Sociology
- Statistics
Student Experience
International students bring diverse perspectives, experiences and goals to their university education and are important members of the Laurier community. To ensure students feel welcome and included, there are a variety of supports, services and amenities that contribute to an exceptional student experience.
Before students arrive at Laurier, they will receive pre-arrival emails with information on traveling to Laurier, registering for courses, how to get your OneCard, packing for residence and much more. There is also information about orientation programming, including sessions exclusive to international students, as well as events and activities for all first-year students at Laurier.
When students arrive at Laurier, there is support to move into residence and engaging orientation events to help students get comfortable on campus and meet new people. Students are able to arrive before classes begin to get settled into their new home and get comfortable in their new community.
During their academic studies, international students have access to specialized services and events provided by dedicated and knowledgeable staff, including immigration advising, career development support, cultural celebrations, wellness support in multiple languages and much more. International students are also able to take part in the activities and amenities available to everyone in the Laurier community, including academic advising, athletics clubs and intramurals, student-led clubs, faculty-specific organizations, experiential learning opportunities and much more.
After graduation, students become part of a world-wide alumni network . As well, all graduates have lifelong access to Laurier’s Career Centre to support future career goals and ambitions.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Laurier has a variety of scholarships and awards for international students entering their first year of university, as well as in their upper years. Some scholarships are based on academic achievement and are awarded automatically, while others are competitive and require an application.
Entrance scholarships are automatically awarded to first-year students and are based on final admission grades. No separate application is required.
In-course scholarships are automatically awarded in students’ upper years and are based on the grade-point average (GPA) from the previous academic year at Laurier. No separate application is required.
The Inspiring Lives Scholarship is exclusive to international first-year students. Multiple awards are available each year and are awarded to students who demonstrate how they are inspiring lives of leadership and purpose. A separate application is required and students will be emailed when the application opens.
The Laurier Scholars Award is a prestigious new entrance scholarship awarded to high-achieving students. The award is worth up to a maximum of $40,000 CAD over four years and provides recipients the opportunity to participate in a dynamic learning environment that fosters innovative thinking and ethical, visionary leadership. A separate application is required and eligible students will be emailed when the application opens.
Competitive scholarships and awards are available to students in all years of study. These scholarships and awards require a separate application and students can apply by completing up to three online profiles. The scholarships and awards are granted based on the information provided in the profiles, which includes interests, involvement, financial need, academic achievement and more.
Housing
Laurier guarantees residence to all undergraduate students attending a postsecondary institution for the first time. There are two main styles of residence buildings: dormitory-style and apartment-style. Both styles of residence are available on the Waterloo campus.
Dormitory-style residences are single or double (shared) furnished bedrooms with one or two students per room, with common floor washrooms or a washroom shared between roommates. Apartment-style residences have single or double (shared) furnished bedrooms with two to eight students per apartment and shared washrooms in the apartment. The apartments also include a full kitchen.
All residence buildings include common community spaces, laundry facilities and secure, controlled access. Students can also apply to live in Residence Learning Communities , which are themed residence communities where students live on the same floor and share a common interest, major or coursework.
All students living in residence on the Waterloo campus are required to participate in a mandatory meal plan . There are several meal plan options available, allowing students to select the one that works best for them.
Contact Information
-
Wilfrid Laurier University
- Location
- Recruitment and Admissions
- Address
75 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3C5- Phone Number
- 1-519-884-0710
- international@wlu.ca
Profile
For more than 110 years, Wilfrid Laurier University has been a premier destination for students from around the world. Laurier provides students with an excellent academic experience while also preparing them for future success with hands-on and experiential learning opportunities and extra-curricular activities.
Academic excellence:
- Ranked in the top 6% of universities worldwide based on quality of education, alumni employment and research performance
- 80+ traditional and innovative undergraduate programs
- 25 research centres and institutes
- 1:25 faculty to student ratio
- Ranked #1 in the Americas for student-teacher interactions
Hands-on and experiential learning:
- Canada’s largest business degree co-op program
- International Student Work Experience Program provides firsthand Canadian work experience
- Community Service-Learning opportunities help with career preparation
- Workshops on money management, career development, software skills and more
- Thousands of student experiences to be explored
- The Laurier Experience Record tracks hands-on learning and is the first of its kind in Canada
Extra-curricular activities:
- 300+ clubs and organizations led by students, for students
- 50+ fitness classes and athletic activities available each week
- Award-winning intramurals program
- State-of-the-art fitness and recreation facilities
Laurier’s English-proficiency pathway:
- The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program provides you with the English-language skills you need to meet your English proficiency requirements for Laurier
- Complete a course for credit towards your degree before you begin undergraduate studies
- Build knowledge and understanding on how to succeed as a university student
- Four intakes every year: January, April, June, September.
Success in the future:
- 93.3% of 2021 international graduates secured employment or went on to graduate studies
- 105,000+ alumni living in more than 100 countries around the world
- Graduates may be eligible to apply for a Canadian post-graduation work permit
Sign up for more information about Laurier (Opens In A New Tab)
Requirements and Admissions
Admission Requirements
To apply to Laurier, you will need to meet the curriculum-specific requirements, as well as any requirements specific to the programs to which you’re applying. All program-specific requirements can be found on the program pages .
English Proficiency Requirements
Laurier’s language of instruction is English and you may be required to provide proof of your English proficiency as part of the application process. Review the important dates and deadlines to make sure you submit your documents on time.
Students who wish to strengthen their English proficiency as well as build skills and knowledge for success in university can register for the Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program . Successfully completing the LEAF Program is accepted as proof of English proficiency, meaning no additional English tests are required.
Admissions Process
You can apply online to Laurier through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) using the 105 application. Once we receive your application, we will contact you at the email address you provided on your application with more information on your next steps, including how to access your applicant portal, submit your required documents , strengthen your application and more.
Our application checklist outlines all the steps in the admissions process.
Accept Your Offer
Have you received an offer of admission? Congratulations! See the next steps to accept your offer and prepare to start your studies at Laurier.
Programs
View Institution Programs (Opens In A New Tab)
- Accounting and related services
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies, other
- Biochemistry/biophysics and molecular biology
- Biology, general
- Biotechnology
- Business administration, management and operations
- Chemistry
- Communication and media studies
- Communication, journalism and related programs, other
- Computer science
- Criminology
- Economics
- Education, general
- English language and literature, general
- English literature
- Ethnic, cultural minority, gender, and group studies
- French language and literature, general
- Geography and cartography
- Health and physical education/fitness
- Health services/allied health/health sciences, general
- History
- Human development, family studies and related services
- Journalism
- Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities
- Mathematics
- Music
- Neurobiology and neurosciences
- Physical sciences, general
- Physics
- Psychology, general
- Public health
- Second language learning
- Sociology
- Statistics
Student Experience
International students bring diverse perspectives, experiences and goals to their university education and are important members of the Laurier community. To ensure students feel welcome and included, there are a variety of supports, services and amenities that contribute to an exceptional student experience.
Before students arrive at Laurier, they will receive pre-arrival emails with information on traveling to Laurier, registering for courses, how to get your OneCard, packing for residence and much more. There is also information about orientation programming, including sessions exclusive to international students, as well as events and activities for all first-year students at Laurier.
When students arrive at Laurier, there is support to move into residence and engaging orientation events to help students get comfortable on campus and meet new people. Students are able to arrive before classes begin to get settled into their new home and get comfortable in their new community.
During their academic studies, international students have access to specialized services and events provided by dedicated and knowledgeable staff, including immigration advising, career development support, cultural celebrations, wellness support in multiple languages and much more. International students are also able to take part in the activities and amenities available to everyone in the Laurier community, including academic advising, athletics clubs and intramurals, student-led clubs, faculty-specific organizations, experiential learning opportunities and much more.
After graduation, students become part of a world-wide alumni network . As well, all graduates have lifelong access to Laurier’s Career Centre to support future career goals and ambitions.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Laurier has a variety of scholarships and awards for international students entering their first year of university, as well as in their upper years. Some scholarships are based on academic achievement and are awarded automatically, while others are competitive and require an application.
Entrance scholarships are automatically awarded to first-year students and are based on final admission grades. No separate application is required.
In-course scholarships are automatically awarded in students’ upper years and are based on the grade-point average (GPA) from the previous academic year at Laurier. No separate application is required.
The Inspiring Lives Scholarship is exclusive to international first-year students. Multiple awards are available each year and are awarded to students who demonstrate how they are inspiring lives of leadership and purpose. A separate application is required and students will be emailed when the application opens.
The Laurier Scholars Award is a prestigious new entrance scholarship awarded to high-achieving students. The award is worth up to a maximum of $40,000 CAD over four years and provides recipients the opportunity to participate in a dynamic learning environment that fosters innovative thinking and ethical, visionary leadership. A separate application is required and eligible students will be emailed when the application opens.
Competitive scholarships and awards are available to students in all years of study. These scholarships and awards require a separate application and students can apply by completing up to three online profiles. The scholarships and awards are granted based on the information provided in the profiles, which includes interests, involvement, financial need, academic achievement and more.
Housing
Laurier guarantees residence to all undergraduate students attending a postsecondary institution for the first time. There are two main styles of residence buildings: dormitory-style and apartment-style. Both styles of residence are available on the Waterloo campus.
Dormitory-style residences are single or double (shared) furnished bedrooms with one or two students per room, with common floor washrooms or a washroom shared between roommates. Apartment-style residences have single or double (shared) furnished bedrooms with two to eight students per apartment and shared washrooms in the apartment. The apartments also include a full kitchen.
All residence buildings include common community spaces, laundry facilities and secure, controlled access. Students can also apply to live in Residence Learning Communities , which are themed residence communities where students live on the same floor and share a common interest, major or coursework.
All students living in residence on the Waterloo campus are required to participate in a mandatory meal plan . There are several meal plan options available, allowing students to select the one that works best for them.
Contact Information
-
Wilfrid Laurier University
- Location
- Recruitment and Admissions
- Address
75 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3C5- Phone Number
- 1-519-884-0710
- international@wlu.ca
Location
Student Testimonials
Read about the experiences of past international students.
-
One of the main reasons I chose to study at Wilfrid Laurier University was their business co-op program, as they offer one of the best business co-op programs in Canada. It provides opportunities for international students to obtain professional work experience while studying.
, -
Laurier has great inclusion and diversity practices, which was a major deciding factor for me. Laurier also maintains an amazing balance between academics and extra-curricular activities.
, -
Waterloo has been a fantastic place to spend my university years. Not only is it a vibrant, young city with a lot of social activities available year-round, but it is also a hub of technological and entrepreneurial innovation. It’s a really exciting place to be as a young professional in Canada.
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Have questions about admissions?
To learn more about the admissions criteria for each of our programs please contact the admissions office.
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