Environment, Resources and Sustainability at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Leads to the Bachelor of Environmental Studies in Environment, Resources and Sustainability. Use insights from the natural and social sciences to help solve some of the world’s biggest environmental and sustainability challenges — from water and climate, to food security and the loss of biodiversity. Connect practical skills in ecosystem monitoring and restoration with environmental policy analysis, impact assessment and collaborative decision making. Belong to a community of professors, co-op employers, and classmates committed to making positive change. Available in the regular system of study or the co-op system.

Faculty: Faculty of Environment | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

About half of the classes you’ll take will be Environment, Resources and Sustainability courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo. Sample upper-year courses include Natural Resources Ecology, Environmental and Sustainability Assessment 1, Social Ecological Systems Analysis, Social-Ecological Approaches to Sustainability.

Career pathways

Graduates commonly pursue careers in education, environment, and research. They often work in government ministries, environmental consulting firms, and more.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Ontario applicants: Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including any Grade 12 U English (a final grade of 70% is required); Admission average: High 70s. How to apply: Apply directly to this program on your application.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year students are admitted for the September (fall) term only. Terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), spring (May to August). Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies can start in the winter, spring or fall term.

Applications for September 2027 entry close on 1 February 2027 for programs other than Engineering (documents due 15 February 2027) and on 15 January 2027 for Engineering programs other than Architecture (documents due 1 February 2027). International students have the same deadlines. Full-time applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies: winter 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 for degree and non-degree (13 November 2026 for post-degree); spring 2027 applications close 26 February 2027 for degree and non-degree (12 March 2027 for post-degree). Optometry closes 12 November 2026 and Pharmacy closes 6 January 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply

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