About the university
Wilfrid Laurier University is a public university founded in 1911, with its main campus in Waterloo, Ontario, and further campuses in Brantford and Milton. It has more than 21,000 undergraduates across eight faculties.
Laurier is best known for its Lazaridis School of Business and Economics, its co-op programmes and its double degrees with the neighbouring University of Waterloo (BBA with Computer Science or Mathematics). It also teaches computer science, data science, financial mathematics and a new software engineering degree in Milton.
Indian students look at Laurier for business and computing degrees with co-op, for automatic entrance scholarships of CAD 5,000–6,000 a year that renew for all four years, and for graduate programmes such as the Master of Applied Computing.
Waterloo is a mid-sized city at the heart of Canada's Toronto–Waterloo technology corridor, about 110 km west of Toronto. Rents are lower than in Toronto, and winters are cold.
- Founded
- 1911
- Type
- Public university in Ontario with eight faculties, including the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
- Students
- More than 21,000 undergraduates (Laurier international viewbook, 2026)
- International students
- More than 1,500, from 100+ countries
- Campuses
- Waterloo, Brantford and Milton in Ontario; the MBA is also taught in Toronto
- Intakes
- September for all bachelor's programmes; January for many (apply by 22 November 2026 for January 2027)
- Co-op
- Available in 40+ of more than 100 undergraduate programmes
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Computer Science (BA or BSc) – Waterloo
- Fee / year
- C$39,470
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op option (three four-month work terms)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$44,332
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op (three four-month work terms)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$39,470
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op option
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
Master of Applied Computing (MAC)
- Fee / year
- C$29,076
- Duration
- Coursework: 16–36 months; thesis or co-op option: 20 months
- Intakes
- September; January; May (coursework option); September (thesis and co-op options)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo not accepted
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- C$56,394
- Duration
- Full-time, three terms of tuition, with an eight-month industry field project; part-time option
- Intakes
- September (international deadline 30 March)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo not accepted
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (Full-Time MBA)
- Fee / year
- C$58,710
- Duration
- Full-time, three terms of tuition (Waterloo or Toronto); co-op option
- Intakes
- Check with Lazaridis recruiters for current start dates
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo not accepted
- Undergraduate
Economics and Financial Management (BA)
- Fee / year
- C$39,112
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op option
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Financial Mathematics and Analytics (BA or BSc)
- Fee / year
- C$36,624
- Duration
- 4 years; co-op option
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band); TOEFL iBT 83 (20 in each section); PTE 59; Duolingo 120
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science (BA or BSc) – Waterloo | 4 years; co-op option (three four-month work terms) | C$39,470 | ≈ ₹26.4 lakh |
| Business Administration (BBA) | 4 years; co-op (three four-month work terms) | C$44,332 | ≈ ₹29.7 lakh |
| Data Science (BSc) | 4 years; co-op option | C$39,470 | ≈ ₹26.4 lakh |
| Master of Applied Computing (MAC) | Coursework: 16–36 months; thesis or co-op option: 20 months | C$29,076 | ≈ ₹19.5 lakh |
| Management Analytics (MSc) | Full-time, three terms of tuition, with an eight-month industry field project; part-time option | C$56,394 | ≈ ₹37.8 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (Full-Time MBA) | Full-time, three terms of tuition (Waterloo or Toronto); co-op option | C$58,710 | ≈ ₹39.3 lakh |
| Economics and Financial Management (BA) | 4 years; co-op option | C$39,112 | ≈ ₹26.2 lakh |
| Financial Mathematics and Analytics (BA or BSc) | 4 years; co-op option | C$36,624 | ≈ ₹24.5 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Wilfrid Laurier University with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate (international)
Renewable Entrance Scholarship (President's Gold)
Value: CAD 6,000 a year, CAD 24,000 over four years
Eligibility: Admission average of 95–100%. Automatic, no application. Renewed each year with a GPA of 10.5 or more.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate (international)
Renewable Entrance Scholarship
Value: CAD 5,000 a year, CAD 20,000 over four years
Eligibility: International students admitted with an average below 95%. Automatic. Renewed each year with a GPA of 7.0 or more.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate (international only)
Inspiring Lives Scholarship
Value: CAD 500–5,000 a year
Eligibility: Incoming international undergraduates who show leadership and community involvement. Not based on grades; separate application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - MBA
MBA entrance scholarships
Value: CAD 1,000–5,000
Eligibility: A limited number for outstanding applicants; all applicants are considered automatically.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 (Senior Secondary) results in five subjects, including English; Laurier does not use interim, provisional or mock results.
- Class 10 results are used only to check English proficiency.
- Programmes have their own subject requirements, such as English at 60% for many programmes and Mathematics for business, computing and data science.
- Laurier does not publish a single India percentage; your average decides your entrance scholarship (95% or more for President's Gold).
Postgraduate
- Graduate programmes need a recognised bachelor's degree; Laurier's international graduate pages do not state how three-year Indian degrees are treated, so check with the programme before applying.
- If your degree was taught in English, you can upload an official letter from your university instead of an English test.
- Each programme sets its own requirements and deadlines; the MSc Management Analytics, for example, has a 30 March international deadline.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (undergraduate)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (graduate)
- English test score, or an English-medium letter from your university (graduate)
- Programme-specific items listed in your Laurier applicant portal
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for the study permit, issued after you accept your offer
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each band (undergraduate and graduate) |
| TOEFL iBT | 83, with 20 in each section, for tests before January 2026; 4.5 (4.0 in each band) on the new scale |
| PTE Academic | 59 overall |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 for undergraduate entry; not accepted for graduate programmes |
| Waiver | Undergraduate: your three most recent years of full-time study in English, with no ESL courses. Graduate: an official letter showing your degree was taught in English. |
Accommodation and living costs
First-year undergraduates can live in residence on the Waterloo or Brantford campus. Waterloo residences are dorm or apartment style and need a meal plan; Brantford residences are apartment style with an optional meal plan. Graduate students usually rent off campus.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Residence, Waterloo (dorm or apartment style)2026/27 first-year estimate | C$8,373–11,760per academic year | ≈ ₹5.6 lakh – ₹7.9 lakh |
| Meal plan, Waterloo (required in residence)2026/27 estimate | C$2,892–7,750per academic year | ≈ ₹1.9 lakh – ₹5.2 lakh |
| Residence, Brantford (apartment style)2026/27 first-year estimate | C$9,062–9,707per academic year | ≈ ₹6.1 lakh – ₹6.5 lakh |
| GroceriesLaurier estimate | C$3,000per academic year | ≈ ₹2 lakh |
Campus and location
The Waterloo campus covers about one city block in uptown Waterloo, so classes, the library and residences are a short walk apart. The University of Waterloo is next door, and Laurier runs double degrees with it.
- Milton campus teaches computer science and a new Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering.
- Brantford campus focuses on health sciences, criminology and social work.
- The Waterloo region hosts many technology companies and start-ups that hire co-op students.
- Toronto is about 110 km away, with GO train and bus links.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Laurier offers co-op in more than 40 undergraduate programmes, usually three four-month paid work terms between second and fourth year. Co-op jobs are competitive and not guaranteed. For work rights during and after study, see our Canada country guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 international graduates employed or in further study | 92% | Laurier international viewbook, 2026 |
| Undergraduate programmes with co-op | 40+ | Laurier international viewbook, 2026 |
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Canada
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Toronto, CanadaOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences, Engineering
Photo: CjayD, CC BY 2.0 PublicOften chosen for Life Sciences, Business & Management, Engineering
Photo: JFVoll, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUniversity of Waterloo (official website, opens in a new tab)
Waterloo, CanadaOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Data Science & AI
Photo: Krylan22, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUniversity of Windsor (official website, opens in a new tab)
Windsor, CanadaOften chosen for Engineering, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0), CC0 PublicMcGill University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Montreal, CanadaOften chosen for Life Sciences, Engineering, Law
Photo: WinterforceMedia WinterE229, Public domain PublicUniversity of Alberta (official website, opens in a new tab)
Edmonton, CanadaOften chosen for Engineering, Data Science & AI, Life Sciences
FAQs
How much are Laurier's fees for Indian students?
At 2026/27 rates, international undergraduate tuition is CAD 36,624 a year for most BA and BSc programmes, CAD 39,470 for computer science and data science, and CAD 44,332 for the BBA. Student fees and books are extra. The Master of Applied Computing is CAD 29,076 for a year of three terms.
Does Laurier have a January intake?
Yes, for many undergraduate programmes, including computer science, data science and economics. Apply by 22 November 2026 for January 2027. The BBA starts in September only.
What scholarships does Laurier give international students?
Every admitted international undergraduate gets an automatic renewable entrance scholarship: CAD 6,000 a year with a 95%+ average, or CAD 5,000 a year otherwise, if you keep the required GPA. You can also apply for the Inspiring Lives Scholarship (CAD 500–5,000).
Can I use Duolingo for a master's at Laurier?
No. Laurier accepts Duolingo (120) for undergraduate entry only. For graduate programmes, use IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAEL or EFAS, or a letter confirming your degree was taught in English.
Can I work while studying at Laurier?
Co-op work terms are part of many programmes. For general work rules on a study permit, see our Canada country guide.
Sources
- Laurier: 2026-27 tuition report (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: undergraduate tuition and finances (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: international tuition and finances (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: international students (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: international viewbook (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: undergraduate English proficiency (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: graduate English proficiency (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: Business Administration (BBA) (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: Computer Science (BA or BSc), Waterloo (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: Applied Computing (MAC) (opens in a new tab)
- Laurier: MBA tuition and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.wlu.ca (opens in a new tab)
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