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Admission Information
Degree Programs
The Department of Systems Design Engineering grants the following graduate degrees:
Admission Requirements
In order to be admitted to a thesis/research based degree, a faculty member must formally agree to act as your supervisor. Feel free to contact potential supervisors in your area(s) of interest to explore whether there is opportunity to work with them.
If you wish your application to be directed to specific faculty members, indicate them by name on the supplementary information form which is part of the online application process.
If you are offered admission, notification will be sent through QUEST only. Your Offer of Admission letter will be available for printing in QUEST.
Minimum admission requirements for each program are outlined below.
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Master of Engineering (MEng)
Course work degree
Students admitted into this program do not have a research supervisor and are expected to be financially self-supported.
The MEng Program takes 3 - 6 terms to complete (1 to 2 years). This program can be taken full-time or part-time.
To apply, mimimum admission requirements are:
a 4-year honours Bachelor degree program from a Canadian university (or equivalent) in an acceptable discipline and with a minimum of 75 % (B) overall standing in the last 2 years of study (or equivalent)
three letters of reference from academic referees
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Master of Applied Science (MASc) Thesis/Research based degree
To apply, mimimum admission requirements are:
a 4-year honours Bachelor degree program from a Canadian university (or equivalent) in an acceptable discipline with a minimum of 75 % (B) overall standing in the last 2 years of study (or equivalent)
three letters of reference from academic referees
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
To apply, mimimum admission requirements are:
a minimum 83% (A-) overall standing, or equivalent, in an appropriate Master's research degree.
demonstratec ability to formulate research problems and to execute the research required to solve problems (i.e. a MASc research thesis or published scientific or technical papers).
three letters of reference from academic referees.
Evidence of adequate English language proficiency
*Only faculty members who have L.I.A.R.S. status (List of Individually Approved Research Supervisor) are approved to act as a sole PhD supervisor.
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Nanotechnology Program
The University of Waterloo offers the first MASc and PhD programs in Nanotechnology in Canada. The MASc collaborative program provides a strong foundation in the emerging areas of nano-engineering in preparation for the workforce or for further study and research leading to a doctoral degree. More information
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Application Deadlines and Procedures
Applying for admission is an applicant managed process.
Note: Only complete applications submitted online will be reviewed and considered for admission. Emailed requests for pre-evaluation on eligibility, etc. cannot be accommodated.
It can take several weeks or months to process a complete application. Monitor QUEST for updates on the status of your application.
A processing fee of $100 CDN is required for EACH application.
A complete application includes:
(i) Students may have their TOEFL documents sent directly to the Graduate Studies Office for uploading by using the following codes:
Institution: 0996; Department: 99 or 01
NOTE: Writing samples, Portfolios and the GRE are NOT required for admission to SYDE.
Turnaround time on QUEST is 4-5 business days after initial application. Monitor QUEST for email prompting you to upload your application documents and other information.
If admission is granted, you will receive an Offer of Admission through QUEST which will state any conditions to be satisfied.
Do not mail or email additional or duplicate application materials. They will not be accepted as part of your application.
Specific questions related to course content or research should be directed to individual faculty members.
Any problems related to the online application system should be directed to Graduate Applications-HELP.
Please see the Graduate Studies website for additional information.
We look forward to receiving your application.
University of Waterloo
Systems Design Engineering
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4567