Admission Overview
Students who have not determined the field or subject in which they wish to concentrate are encouraged to read the academic plan and core course descriptions in this Calendar. Admission categories, requirements, and procedures are outlined in detail in the Admissions section of this Calendar as well as the Faculty website.
The Calendar is designed to enable students to make an informed decision about plans and courses. Students are encouraged to consult with their high school guidance counselor, the recruitment and student engagement co-oordinator, or the undergraduate academic officer of the appropriate unit.
Applicants should apply to the plan most suited to their interests. Transfer to other units within the Faculty or to other Faculties may be considered after Year One, depending upon the student's academic record and plan. It is simpler to transfer between some academic plans than others, so students considering a transfer should speak with the academic advisor of the academic plan they wish to enter as early as possible.
Admissions for a Second Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) Degree
An applicant who has already been awarded a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) degree from the University of Waterloo, or elsewhere, will normally be considered for admission if the applicant is exploring a new and distinct area of study.
The admission committee’s decision to admit will be based on a number of factors including the reason the applicant is pursuing a second BES degree, the applicant’s post-secondary transcript(s), and the overlap in program content.
An applicant who has already received a BES co-op degree from the University of Waterloo will not be considered for a second BES co-op program.
Transfer credits will be granted in accord with Faculty of Environment guidelines as indicated in the Internal and External Transfer Credits and Admissions sections of this Calendar.
International Joint Education Programs
The Faculty of Environment has negotiated agreements with several key universities in China to implement joint education programs at the undergraduate level. These programs involve the 2+2, 1+2+1, and 3+2 models whereby students spend two or three years at the Chinese university and two years at the University of Waterloo. Degrees are awarded by both the University of Waterloo and the partner Chinese university. Current programs include the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) in Geomatics or Geography and Environmental Management with Nanjing University, Wuhan University, China University of Geosciences, Capital Normal University, Chang’an University and Southeast University, and the BES in Environment and Business with Nanjing University of Finance and Economics. These programs currently are only available to international students at the specified Chinese universities.