Wilfrid Laurier University
Wilfrid Laurier University is an integral part of the Kitchener-Waterloo and Brantford communities. The Wilfrid Laurier University Waterloo campus is squeezed mostly onto a single city block. The LEED Gold-certified Lazaridis Hall, which has won design awards, houses the school of business and economics, the math department and the StartUp Lab. Brantford campus students enjoy an athletic and recreation facility jointly run with the YMCA in downtown Brantford. Students at the Waterloo campus benefit from the city’s status as one of the world’s fastest-growing tech sectors in a region with the world’s second-highest startup density after Silicon Valley.
A new campus in Milton is set to open in September 2024. Each year, approximately 18,000 students participate in experiential learning opportunities, including co-op, field placements, lab experiences, workplace projects and community service learning. The university has 23 research centres and institutes, including ones dedicated to cold regions research, women in science, international migration and sustainable food systems.
“When students enrol at Laurier, they are joining a university that fosters academic excellence and a sense of community,” says president Deborah MacLatchy. “Our emphasis on experiential and entrepreneurial learning ensures students are equipped for a future in an increasingly complex world.”
Campus buzz: Laurier is gradually turning a former shopping centre in downtown Brantford into a student and community hub. To date, it has created a study space, moved certain student services into the building and opened Level One Lounge, with video games, air hockey, pool tables and more.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$7,698
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 70-80% | Science: 72-90% | Commerce: 88.5-97%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 16,233 | Part-time: 3,681
Graduates: Full-time: 1,127 | Part-time: 1,124
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 3,798 (3,648 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of double room with meals: $13,582 to $15,938
Cost of single room with meals: $13,582 to $15,938
Cost of apartment-style: $7,907 to $10,329
Standout programs
Business Administration: The program offers a solid foundation, 10 business concentrations, as well as practical experience through case competitions and co-op placements. Graduates enjoy a 98 per cent employment rate.
Computer Science: This program covers fundamentals of programming, algorithm design and computation, as well as applications ranging from mobile apps to applied cryptography; co-op available.
Education: This program offers diverse courses, substantial practice and alternative placements, locally and globally. A teaching option pathway is available in select undergraduate programs that guarantees a spot in the B.Ed. program if all requirements are met.
