About the course
The Honours Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree provides the foundation of skills, knowledge, judgment and practical experience required for subsequent professional studies in architecture. Though the Academic Program is pre-professional, it is fully dedicated to imparting to students the culture and practice of design. Design is a synthetic activity. To do it well and serve the needs of the individual and society requires an extremely broad education. Students acquire an understanding of the workings of society and culture, of the principles of physics, of materials and techniques of construction, of the human interaction with the natural and built environment, of historical process, of critical thought and of the diverse forms of creative expression. In one of North America?s top schools of architecture, you?ll get a broad education that covers everything from building materials and construction techniques to cultural history, social context, green architecture, and more. Not to mention you'll combine it all with paid co-op work experience. However, the core of pre-professional program is design courses, starting right in year one. You?ll get your own dedicated space in our studio where you?ll develop your ideas and skills through a series of hands-on projects. Learn about society and culture, the principles of physics, materials and techniques of construction, human interaction with the natural and built environment, critical thought, and the diverse forms of creative expression. It all happens in a beautiful historic building in the city of Cambridge, about 30 kilometres south of the main Waterloo campus, complete with labs, exhibition galleries, and a world-class design library.
The cultural history and theory sequence is concerned with the human imagination, the forms through which it expresses itself, and the larger socio-political contexts within which it is enacted. In these courses students are exposed to works of history, philosophy, literature and the arts, learning about architecture, urbanism and landscape within a broad cultural context that enriches their understanding. Architecture is thus conceived as a form of cultural expression and the creative activity of all students takes place against a background of humanistic study. The academic program fosters critical, discursive and expressive abilities that are essential to the quality of the School and its graduates. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships
Start dates and prices
Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.
Duration: 4 Year(s)Fees: CA$284,000
How to apply
Entry requirements for University of Waterloo
Official/Unofficial High School Transcripts Required.
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) - 90 Overall (25 writing, 25 speaking)
IELTS Academic - 6.5 Overall (6.5 writing, 6.5 speaking, 6.0 reading, 6.0 listening)
International Baccalaureate (IB) - Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Physics (HL recommended), minimum 4 in each. HL or SL English A, minimum 4. Total 32. Qualified applicants will be invited to complete an English precis-writing exercise and to submit a portfolio.
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
English (ENG4U) (A minimum final grade of 75% is required)
Advanced Functions (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Calculus and Vectors (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Physics (A minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Recommended: Grade 11 or 12 art courses, independent art studies, creative and cultural studies such as visual arts and history
Admission average: Individual selection from the mid-80s
English language requirements
6.5
Overall IELTS band score
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TOEFL Internet based overall score: 90.0
Application deadline:
This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.
Further information
Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at University of Waterloo. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.
Pathway options to study at this institution
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