Waterloo Software Engineering
University of Waterloo
Waterloo Software Engineering (SE) is widely regarded as one of the most competitive undergraduate programs in Canada — and has an application to match.
One of Canada's most competitive programs
Waterloo Software Engineering (SE) is widely regarded as one of the most competitive undergraduate programs in Canada. Each year, many of the country's strongest students apply simultaneously to Waterloo Software Engineering, Waterloo Computer Science, UofT Engineering Science, and UofT Computer Science.
Because these applicants overlap so heavily, positioning matters. We help students decide which of these programs genuinely fit — and then build an application that is competitive across all of them at once.
An engineering degree with a software core
Waterloo SE combines engineering fundamentals with software development, computer systems, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. Students graduate with an engineering degree while developing many of the same technical skills associated with top computer science programs.
- Software development
- Computer systems
- Algorithms
- Artificial intelligence
- Entrepreneurship
World-class co-op — but placements aren't guaranteed
Historically, Waterloo SE became known for its exceptional co-op opportunities. Employers deeply value the technical edge of Waterloo SE students, and Waterloo's co-op ecosystem and employer relationships provide access to thousands of employers across technology, finance, consulting, and startup sectors.
Students should understand, however, that co-op placements are not guaranteed. Waterloo provides access to the system, but securing a placement is still an intensely competitive process — one we help students prepare for honestly.
- Technology
- Finance
- Consulting
- Startups
A deep technical ecosystem
Beyond co-op, one of Waterloo's greatest strengths is the depth of its technical ecosystem. Waterloo invests heavily in mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software systems research.
As students progress into upper years, they gain access to advanced technical electives that are difficult to find at any other Canadian university — taught by industry-leading professors, an often undervalued asset in undergraduate studies.
CS 480
Introduction to Machine Learning.
CS 486
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence.
CS 484
Computational Vision.
CS 454
Distributed Systems.
ECE 457C
Reinforcement Learning.
How to apply: grades, the AIF, and the SIF
In addition to high school grades, admission to Waterloo Software Engineering requires completion of the Admission Information Form (AIF) and the Supplementary Information Form (SIF). The major difference between Waterloo SE and other engineering programs is its focus on contest participation.
While the AIF asks for several short essays on typical admissions topics — general program interest, extracurricular activities — the SIF explicitly asks for math, computing, and robotics competition results.
The AIF
Several short essays on program interest, extracurriculars, and the usual admissions topics.
The SIF
Software-specific. Explicitly asks for math, computing, and robotics competition results.
The online interview (Kira Talent)
There is also an online interview portion administered through Kira Talent. All engineering applicants complete a general engineering interview; software engineering applicants complete an additional software engineering interview on top of it.
The University of Waterloo is exceptionally transparent about the online interview, and publishes all questions for participants to review in advance.
Application components
At the time of writing, a Waterloo Software Engineering application includes:
OUAC application — marks & transcripts
Admission Information Form (AIF) — short essays
Supplementary Information Form (SIF) — contest results
General engineering interview (Kira Talent)
Software engineering interview (Kira Talent)
How we coach for it
Waterloo SE rewards genuine technical depth communicated simply. We help students show how they actually think and build — without burying evaluators in jargon — across every part of the application.
Contest and profile strategy
We help students in Grades 9–11 find the math, computing, and robotics contests that best fit their strengths, so the SIF tells a credible, well-supported story by Grade 12.
AIF essays
We coach students through reflection, outlining, and revision on every AIF short response — keeping the writing fully student-owned while sharpening how their technical passion comes through.
Communicating technical depth
We teach students to show real project and technical experience clearly and simply, demonstrating genuine curiosity rather than drowning evaluators in jargon.
Kira Talent interview prep
We use Waterloo's published questions to prepare students for both the general engineering and software engineering interviews, so they answer with structure and confidence.
Concurrent applications
Most SE applicants also apply to Waterloo CS, UofT Engineering Science, and UofT CS. We coordinate the whole set so each application stays competitive and consistent.
Frequently asked
Competitive applicants typically present averages in the mid-90s, but Waterloo evaluates grades alongside the AIF, the SIF, and the Kira Talent interviews. There is no published cut-off, and strong grades alone are not enough — contest results and the interview matter meaningfully.
Very. The AIF's short essays are where you communicate program interest and extracurricular depth in your own voice. For competitive applicants with similar grades, the AIF and SIF are often what separates offers from waitlists.
The SIF explicitly asks for math, computing, and robotics competition results, so contest participation is a major differentiator for SE specifically. The best approach is to start early — in Grades 9–11 — and choose contests that genuinely fit your strengths.
It's administered through Kira Talent. Engineering applicants complete a general engineering interview (a 90-second video response plus two yes/no questions), and SE applicants complete an additional software engineering interview (a 150-word written response). Waterloo publishes all questions in advance.
Almost always. Most apply simultaneously to Waterloo CS, UofT Engineering Science, and UofT CS. We help students manage these concurrent applications so each one stays strong without repeating the same generic story.
See all engineering & CS programsYour program lead
Evelyn Zheng
Lead Coach | Head of Canadian Admissions · HBA '22, Ivey Business School · Western University
Waterloo Software Engineering wants to see how you actually think and build. We focus on showing genuine technical depth without burying evaluators in jargon.Read Evelyn's biography
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