Actuarial Science at Waterloo: Admission Average
University of Waterloo · Waterloo, ON
What average do you need for Actuarial Science at Waterloo?
Actuarial Science at University of Waterloo typically admits students with averages in the high 80s-low 90s, roughly 85–92%. It ranks #7 of 18 Waterloo programs by admission average.
One of Canada's most respected actuarial programs.
How competitive is it?
Of the 2 universities we track that offer it, none ask for a higher average and 1 asks for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 92% or higher is above the typical range, 85% up to 92% is inside it, and 81% up to 85% is a reach. Cut-offs move every year, so apply to a mix of schools.
Ontario applicants are assessed on their top six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the program's prerequisites. Work out yours with the Best 6 calculator.
Actuarial Science at other universities
- Simon Fraser University – high 80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus & Vectors
- One additional U/M course
- Strong CEMC contest performance helps at Waterloo
First-year courses
- Calculus I & II
- Linear Algebra
- Probability
- Introduction to Actuarial Science
- Statistics
These are typical for Actuarial Science programs across Canada. About the Actuarial Science degree
After a Actuarial Science degree
Actuarial Science usually takes 4 years.
- Actuary – $80,000 to $200,000
- Financial Analyst / CFA – $65,000 to $150,000
- Waterloo's actuarial program is world-ranked - CEMC contest performance is a real admissions factor.
- You write professional exams (SOA P, FM, etc.) during and after your degree - budget time and money for this.
- Each passed exam increases your salary - the fellowship (FCAS/FSA) takes 10+ years but leads to very high earnings.
Applying to Waterloo
What Actuarial Science asks for besides your marks
- Admission Information Form (AIF), Faculty of Mathematics and CFM: due February 15, 2027. Required; if you also applied to Engineering, submit it by the Engineering deadline of February 1, 2027. Official page
- Faculty of Mathematics Supplementary Information Form (math contests): due February 15, 2027. Asks about Waterloo math contests; writing a contest is not required for admission but is for some Math scholarships. Official page
From Waterloo's admissions pages, checked October 2026.
The University of Waterloo is Canada's most respected technology and engineering university, and operates the world's largest post-secondary co-op program. It places more graduates at top global tech companies than any other Canadian school. Admission is highly selective, and the academic culture is intensely demanding - Waterloo attracts and produces some of Canada's sharpest technical minds. The AIF (Admission Information Form) is a critical part of every application and is read carefully.
University of Waterloo is in Waterloo, ON, was founded in 1957 and has about 42,000 students. Domestic tuition is about $6,300 a year, co-op is available and first-year residence is guaranteed.
Deadlines: OUAC (Ontario) January 15.
- The AIF (Admission Information Form) is extremely important - Waterloo reads every word. Be specific and genuine.
- A strong CCC score (especially Senior) meaningfully improves CS/Math admission chances.
- Euclid contest scores are reviewed for Math and CS applicants.
Other Waterloo programs
- Computer Science – high 90s (95-98%+)
- Software Engineering – high 90s (94-97%+)
- Computer Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Electrical Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Mechanical Engineering – low 90s
- Systems Design Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Management Engineering – low 90s
- Biomedical Engineering – high 90s
- Nanotechnology Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Mathematics – high 80s-low 90s
- Computing & Financial Management – mid-to-high 90s
- Statistics – high 80s
- Accounting & Financial Mgmt – low 90s
- Honours Economics – high 80s
- Kinesiology – high 80s
- Environmental Engineering – low 90s
- Architecture – high 80s