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Waterloo

Welcome to Waterloo

Waterloo is a dynamic urban centre located in the heart of Canada’s Technology Triangle. With global tech leaders like BlackBerry and OpenText, and two of Canada’s top universities, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo, the city is home to some of the world’s most innovative minds.

Why Study in Waterloo?

Canada’s Silicon Valley

Waterloo is globally recognized as the “Silicon Valley of the North,” with:
  • 100+ tech startups in a region of just 550,000 people.
  • A key role in the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor, North America’s second-largest tech cluster.
  • Headquarters and offices of global giants like Google, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, OpenText, and the birthplace of BlackBerry.

A Student City Like No Other

Waterloo is home to:
  • Over 60,000 students across the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University.
  • Canada’s largest co-op education program, with 26,000+ students gaining global work experience.
  • A youthful population; 27.6% aged 20–34, fuelling innovation and culture.
  • Waterloo offers a high quality of life at a lower cost compared to larger urban centres like Toronto or Vancouver, making it an ideal place for students to live, study, and thrive.

Startup Powerhouse

World-class incubators like Communitech, Velocity, and the Accelerator Centre support entrepreneurs from idea to IPO.

Economic & Global Impact

Laurier’s entrepreneurship programs have generated $9.7 million in economic impact from just $4.1 million in investment. Students from 120+ countries create a global campus culture that’s inclusive, innovative, and collaborative.

As a thriving student city, Waterloo welcomes over 60,000 students each year, bringing energy, diversity, and creativity to the community. The city’s core, known as Uptown Waterloo, features more than 400 restaurants, shops, and services. In the summer, patios pop up everywhere, offering the perfect place to enjoy great food, relax with friends, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

Whether you’re exploring on foot, by bike, in a car, or riding the ION light-rail transit system, Waterloo is easy to navigate and full of experiences.

From tech to trails, culture to cuisine, Waterloo truly has something for everyone.

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