Unit-Based System: Waterloo measures transfer credits in units (0.5 units = one Waterloo course). Credits/caps differ by faculty; switching faculties can change or refuse credits.
Faculty Credit Caps:
- • Arts: up to 4.0 units
- • Mathematics: up to 1.5 units (no CS/ITGS credit)
- • Science: up to 3.0 units
⚠ Engineering Warning:
Engineering does not grant first-year course exemptions for IB courses (including Math, Physics, Chemistry, and electives).
IB credits require official results sent to Waterloo (code 000108). Credits are assessed after results arrive and details are emailed in August. You can decline credits.
13
IB Subjects
0.5 units
= 1 Waterloo course
~$400-550
Domestic/course
~$1,800-2,800
Intl/course
*Tuition per 0.5-unit course. Rates vary by faculty (Engineering/Math/CS higher). HL courses only, min grade 5. Always verify with official sources.
IB Transfer Credit Policies
Biology HL
Expert's Insight: Waterloo's BIOL 239 is a notorious step up in complexity from IB... View Details →
Chemistry HL
Expert's Insight: That 5 gets you into CHEM 120, but the lab component is... View Details →
Computer Science HL
Economics HL
English A: Language and Literature HL
English A: Literature HL
French A: Language and Literature HL
French A: Literature HL
French B HL
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
Expert's Insight: Waterloo's MATH 137 is a different beast than IB Math AA HL.... View Details →
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL
Expert's Insight: Waterloo's MATH 127 will assume you're fluent in calculus from day one.... View Details →
Physics HL
Expert's Insight: Waterloo's PHYS 111/121 sequence is a different beast than IB Physics HL.... View Details →