Systems Design Engineering - Master of Applied Science (MASc) at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Expand your engineering knowledge through advanced study and research with the Master of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering. You’ll take an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to exploring solutions to engineering problems at the cutting edge of technology and design, preparing you to pursue or advance your career in academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and beyond. Choose your path of nimble generalist or get in-depth knowledge by pursuing up to two of our eight specialized graduate research fields.

Faculty: Faculty of Engineering | Department: Systems Design Engineering | Duration: 24 months (full-time) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August); application deadlines: February 1(for admission in September); June 1(for admission in January of the following year); October 1(for admission in May of the following year) | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Study option(s): Thesis.

Career pathways

You’ll take an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to exploring solutions to engineering problems at the cutting edge of technology and design, preparing you to pursue or advance your career in academia, industry, entrepreneurship, and beyond.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 4-year honours bachelor’s degree in engineering or a Honours Bachelor of Applied Science (or equivalent) that includes the following courses or equivalent: Calculus II (SYDE 112) Matrices and Linear Systems (SYDE 114) And one of the following two courses or equivalent: Probability and Statistics (SYDE 212) Calculus 3 (SYDE 211) At least an overall 75% (or equivalent) standing from a recognized university. For applicants whose previous degree was completed in Canada, a 75% overall standing in the last two years, or equivalent (at the sole discretion of the University of Waterloo, in all cases), in a four-year honours bachelor's degree or Honours Bachelor of Applied Science is the minimum requirement for admission to a master's program. Due to the variable nature of international credentials, for applicants whose previous degree was completed outside of Canada, a 75% overall standing in a four-year honours bachelor's degree or Honour’s Bachelor of Applied Science is the minimum requirement for admission.

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.

Terms run fall (September to December), winter (January to April) and spring (May to August). Programmes are currently accepting applications for fall 2027; intake terms vary by programme.

Graduate applications are made online through the Graduate Studies Application and the non-refundable application fee is $150 CAD per program, paid in the applicant portal. Deadlines are set by each programme (for example MDSAI part-time: fall January 15, winter July 1). Apply two to four weeks ahead of the programme deadline.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.apply.uwaterloo.ca/apply/

Explore more study programmes

Engineering