University of Waterloo International Master's and Doctoral Awards
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
Use this listing to plan your research, not as confirmation of eligibility. Requirements, funding and deadlines can change. Confirm your course and current application cycle with the official provider. An unknown requirement is not a waiver.
- IELTS
- 6.5
- Components
- L 6 / R 6 / W 6.5 / S 6.5
- Study level
- Postgraduate, PhD
- Deadline
- December–February
Last verified: 2026-03
About University of Waterloo International Master's and Doctoral Awards
The University of Waterloo International Master's and Doctoral Awards support international graduate students across all faculties. Master's students receive $2,500 per term, while PhD students often receive comprehensive funding packages that combine tuition coverage, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and scholarship components.
Listed IELTS requirement
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 90, PTE Academic 63
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1Waterloo requires IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Listening and Reading, and 6.5 in Writing and Speaking. Note the higher Writing and Speaking minimums — these reflect the communication demands of graduate study.
- 2Practice academic writing with a focus on clarity and argumentation. The 6.5 Writing minimum means you need to demonstrate the ability to construct well-organized essays with clear thesis statements and supporting evidence.
- 3Application deadlines are December–February. Schedule your IELTS test by October to ensure scores arrive in time and to allow for a retake if Writing or Speaking falls short of 6.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IELTS score do I need for University of Waterloo graduate awards?
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Prepare for your English requirement
A practice Writing estimate can help identify what to work on. It does not establish scholarship eligibility.
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