Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier University is one of the best public universities in Canada. The university was established in 1911 as Waterloo Lutheran University. Situated in the heart of southwestern Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, Wilfrid Laurier University campus houses over 20,000 students.

In 1910, the Lutheran Synod established a seminary, which opened to students in 1911, under the name Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary of Eastern Canada. In 1914, the seminary expanded its offerings to include non-theological courses and adopted the name “the Waterloo College School.” In 1924, the institution evolved into the Waterloo College of Arts. It became affiliated with the University of Western Ontario (“Western”) in 1925 and introduced honors degree programs in the arts. In 1960, the Lutheran Church transitioned its sponsorship of Waterloo College, resulting in a revised charter that led to the renaming of the seminary to Waterloo Lutheran University. This name was subsequently changed to Wilfrid Laurier University on November 1, 1973, following the enactment of the relevant provincial law by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Ross Macdonald, who later served as Laurier’s chancellor. The seminary and theological programs of Waterloo Lutheran University continued to be offered by the affiliated Waterloo Lutheran Seminary (now Martin Luther University College). The change of name was officially approved by the Waterloo Lutheran Board of Governors during a meeting held on June 12, 1973.

Laurier’s distinctive school colors, purple and gold, trace their origins to its earlier affiliation with the University of Western Ontario, although the original colors were maroon and gold. Despite the shift in the affiliation with Western in 1960, the purple and gold colors have endured.

It is ranked #501-550 in QS WUR Ranking By Subject 2023.

• Winter term: January–April
• Spring term: May-August
• Fall term: September–December

Important Dates

Winter 2024 Admission :

• November 22, 2023: Deadline to apply.
• December 1, 2023: Deadline to submit your Applicant Background Summary form.
• December 1, 2023: Deadline to submit your personal statement, if applicable, letting us know about your special case or extenuating circumstances.
• December 1, 2023: Deadline to submit your required documents
• December 11, 2023: Accept your offer of admission by December 11 at 11:59 p.m., unless a different date is noted on your official Offer of Admission letter.
• December 16, 2023: Deadline to submit your final official documents if you were not enrolled in academic studies in the fall term.
• December 20, 2023: Deadline to submit your unofficial final transcripts if you were enrolled in academic studies in the fall term.
• January 8, 2024: First day of classes.
• January 10, 2024: Deadline to submit your final official documents if you were enrolled in academic studies in the fall term.

Spring 2024 Admission :

• March 15, 2024: Deadline to apply.
• April 1, 2024: Deadline to submit your Applicant Background Summary form.
• April 1, 2024: Deadline to submit your personal statement, if applicable, letting us know about your special case or extenuating circumstances.
• April 1, 2024: Deadline to submit your required documents
• April 8, 2024: Accept your offer of admission by April 8 at 11:59 p.m., unless a different date is noted on your official Offer of Admission letter.
• April 19, 2024: Deadline to submit your final official documents.
• May 6, 2024: First day of classes.

Fall 2024 Admission :

• January 15, 2024: The application deadline for Ontario high school students.
• April 1, 2024: The application deadline for all other applicant types.
• April 25, 2024: Deadline to submit your Applicant Background Summary form.
• April 25, 2024: Deadline to submit your personal statement, if applicable, letting us know about your special case or extenuating circumstances.
• April 24, 2024: Deadline to apply for an entrance bursary.
• May 12, 2024: Deadline to submit your required documents
• June 3, 2024: Accept your offer of admission by June 3 at 11:59 p.m., unless a different date is noted on your official Offer of Admission letter.
• June 3, 2024: The last day to apply for residence is June 3, at 11:59 p.m.
• mid-June, 2024: Course registration opens for first-year students.
• July 15, 2024: Deadline to submit your final official documents.
• Late July 2024: Entrance scholarships are finalized.

International Tuition Estimates

All tuition fees below are listed in Canadian dollars and are based on 2023/24

international tuition fees. Tuition fees are subject to increase for 2024.

Tuition by Faculty :