History
Laurier traces its roots to the opening of the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in Waterloo more than 100 years ago in 1911. We’ve gone through several changes since then, and in 1973 our name changed from Waterloo Lutheran University to Wilfrid Laurier University. In 1999, we opened our campus in Brantford and we welcomed our first Laurier Milton students in September 2024.
Education
Laurier offers an exceptional range and depth of study. Our students can choose from more than 100 academic programs, taught by award-winning faculty.
Our faculty are not just people who stand in front of a lecture hall. They explore student-centred learning and collaborative teaching in active learning classrooms, taking learning beyond the classroom walls into the community. They are leaders, innovators and trendsetters who work to actively engage their students – helping you to find your passion, connect with your learning material, and focus on your personal growth.
Research
Laurier offers plenty of opportunities to do hands-on research, whether you want to work with nanomaterials or disadvantaged children. Our faculty members pride themselves on their mentoring skills and it’s not unusual to see world-class professors working closely with motivated students, both undergraduate and graduate.
Career
Career and Employment Support
- GET STARTED: Rely on the Career Centre for career and employment support. We provide you with the programs and resources to help you be engaged in career development and experiential learning as an integral part of your student experience.
- OUR CAREER CENTRE TEAM: We are qualified career and further education consultants, employer relations specialists and student peers who are committed to your career development and success.
- ENGAGE NOW: Navigator is your portal to access Career Centre resources, job postings, events and appointment bookings. It is updated daily with new opportunities and offerings. Connect with the Career Centre today and make the most of your time at Laurier!
Top reasons to study here
- Wilfrid Laurier University is devoted to excellence in learning, research, scholarship and creativity.
- Once admitted, tuition rates for continuing international students will increase by no more than 5% between years of study.
- We guarantee residence to all eligible undergraduate students attending a postsecondary institution for the first time.
Wilfrid Laurier University Key Statistics & Highlights
- #1201 Ranking
- 49 Scholarships
- 1,262 Academic Staff
- 22,887 Students
- Public Institution Type
Wilfrid Laurier University Overview
Wilfrid Laurier University Scholarships
Wilfrid Laurier University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Wilfrid Laurier University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2026
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
DFL Scholarship Program
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
Udaan India Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 CAD
Deadline
31 May 2026
Digital Excellence Academic Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
International Peace Scholarship Fund
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
50000 CAD
Deadline
Not specified
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2026
ServiceScape Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
7000 CAD
Deadline
18 Nov 2026
Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3500 USD
Deadline
15 Nov 2026
ACES Scholarships
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Monthly Scholarship Series
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
8000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2026
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
6000 USD
Deadline
16 Aug 2026
Amberscholar Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
12500 USD
Deadline
15 Dec 2026
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS)
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 CAD
Deadline
Anytime
Niara Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Organization of American States (OAS) Academic Scholarship Program
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2026
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
28 Aug 2026
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
13 Jul 2026
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Wilfrid Laurier University Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 18.9% Canada
Top 20.9% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Best Global Universities Rankings
1507
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 197 places compared to 2025
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1271 | 1310 | 1507 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
1201
By Times Higher Education
Dropped 400 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| - | 801 | 1201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI) works to cultivate a culture on campus that respects and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and social justice in all aspects of Laurier – from classrooms to residence communities.
Housing services
On our Waterloo and Brantford campuses, residence is a key way first-year Golden Hawks connect, grow and settle into university life. Immerse yourself in a community of support from your first day at Laurier, where staff and upper-year students are committed to your personal growth, development and safety. Our residence buildings are more than just a place to sleep and study. Living in residence gives you lots of opportunities to get involved, both across campus and within your building, which can support a quicker, easier transition to university.
Library services
The Laurier Library of the 21st century is the intellectual and cultural heart of Laurier, bringing together resources, research and scholarly publishing and an experiential place for community, creative expression and making. We continue to provide the digital resources, books, instruction sessions and study spaces that inspire our users to achieve excellence in their research, work and lives.
ICT services
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) collaborates with departments from across the Laurier community to offer online services that help make student life at Laurier easier.
Medical services
We use a circle of care model that incorporates specialties from a diverse, multidisciplinary team. Students who use the Student Wellness Centre have access to a number of wellness professionals to enhance their health and wellbeing while they are here at Laurier:
- doctors and registered nurses;
- sexual health appointments;
- counsellors;
- registered dietitian; and
- chiropractic, massage, and physiotherapy.
Campus life
Wilfrid Laurier University’s two biggest campuses are in Waterloo and Brantford, but we also have a Faculty of Social Work in Kitchener, and a new campus in Milton. All of our campuses and locations are about 90 minutes drive (or less!) away from Toronto, Canada’s biggest city.
Laurier's Waterloo, Brantford and Milton campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples.
Sports facilities
The Athletic Complex in Waterloo includes an Olympic-size pool, a triple gymnasium, dance studios, and a large fitness centre. Outside, Alumni Field offers a full-sized, FIFA-certified, artificial surface for both intramurals and club teams. University Stadium is home to Golden Hawk football, soccer, rugby and lacrosse.The Laurier Brantford YMCA has an aquatics centre with a two-tank pool, a double and a single gym, a fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment and Wi-Fi capabilities for fitness programs, three studios, multi-purpose spaces, and a lounge for Laurier students.
Student clubs
There are several student-run organizations at Laurier, including the Laurier Students' Union, the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) and Student Publications, the latter of which is home to the students papers The Cord (Waterloo) and The Sputnik (Brantford), Radio Laurier and more.
Accreditation
AACSB, CPA
Wilfrid Laurier University Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
Canada Country
Brantford City
#2 Branch Campus
Canada Country
Waterloo City
#3 Branch Campus
Canada Country
Kitchener City
#4 Branch Campus
Canada Country
Milton City
Wilfrid Laurier University Student Reviews & Awards
4.3
Based on 46 reviews
- 5 Star 17 Reviews
- 4 Star 25 Reviews
- 3 Star 3 Reviews
- 2 Star 1 Review
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.2
- Student Diversity 4.0
- Quality of Student Life 4.1
Excited to be once again student
It’s the of the best school in the world, the learning curve and the practical experience is what makes it so special to me. My experience is the most valuable in the whole, I would recommend the school a million times to applicants who are interested in acquiring great knowledge and skills. It remains the best
Admission process
Passion to study maritime environment studies outside Nigeria
Many opportunities
Personally, Wilfrid Laurier University is a school best known for its business program. It tends to stand out because of the co-op and shouldn't be understated that the options are limitless, as well as the fact that there's countless opportunities to grow and connect with others. This goes without saying the amount of case competitions readily available for all students to join into.
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
