Course at a Glance
- BachelorDegree level
- 5 yearsDuration
- Main Campus, Waterloo, CanadaLocation
- Faculty of EnvironmentField of study
- EnglishLanguage of instruction
- Main Campus, WaterlooCampus
- Bachelor of Environmental Studies in PlanningAwards
- $47,196Fees
- AvailableScholarship
About this programme
Go beyond urban planning and learn to tackle the environmental and social challenges facing the world's urban, rural, and natural areas. Learn how to manage the growth of cities, design efficient transportation systems, protect parks and other natural areas, preserve heritage, and more.
Read more
This multidisciplinary program covers everything from economic and legal considerations to design skills, land development, and GIS technology. Whether you choose to put your degree to work for government, pursue advanced study in law or politics, or work in the private sector, you'll be ready to create a sustainable future through smart planning. Because this is a co-op program, you’ll graduate with up to 20 months of paid real-world experience. Use your five co-op work terms to explore the many fields within planning so that when you graduate, you have a large professional network and a strong sense of career areas you would like to pursue. During your first year, you'll take a mix of foundational Planning and Environmental Studies courses. In your upper years, most of the classes you'll take will be Planning courses. This is a sample schedule. Courses and when a course is offered may change depending on availability.
Is this course right for you?
Our counsellors check your profile against this programme's entry criteria and tell you where you stand — before you pay anything.
What we look at
- Your subject background and grades
- Your English score, or how to get one
- Budget, including living costs
University & programme
Canada- Listed from the catalogueNot yet staff-verified — ask us to confirm the details.
- English requirementIELTS Overall 6.5
- Study modefull-time
Admissions checklist
Entry requirements
Ontario students || Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including || • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 75% is required) || Admission averages: low 80s || Not studying in Ontario? || Search our admission requirements. · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90; PTE Academic 63; Duolingo English Test 120 · English test waiver: An English-language test score is required only if the applicant's four most recent years of full-time education have NOT been in an English-language school system. Exemptions: four most recent years of full-time education completed in Canada; bilingual Francophone Canadians (or first-language French with four or more years of full-time Canadian high school); or four most recent years of full-time education taught in an entirely English-language school system in Canada or another country (supported by official transcripts showing language of instruction, or an official hardcopy letter sent directly by the school principal - emailed letters are not accepted). Full-time ESL programs do not qualify. Applicants below the required scores may enter through Waterloo's Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program. Source: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/english-language-requirements
The usual set for this level. Your counsellor confirms the exact list for this university.
- Academic transcripts
- English test score (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Passport copy
- Statement of purpose (optional)
- Recommendation letters (optional)
Cost & scholarships
- Tuition$47,196 CAD / year≈ $34,703 / year
- Living costsVary by city — see the destination guide.
- ScholarshipsInternational Student Entrance Scholarship: CAD 10,000 for first-year studies, paid in two instalments of CAD 5,000 (late July and late November) against first- and second-term tuition. No application is required; eligible students see it in the Waterloo applicant portal from mid-April. Conditions: full-time enrolment (three or more courses) in the first and second terms, and continuing international fee-paying status. It does not replace or reduce other entrance scholarships. SourceView scholarship page
Application timeline
Typical timings. Deadlines differ per university and intake.
- 1Prepare documents1–2 weeks
- 2Submit application1–3 weeks
- 3Receive offer letter2–6 weeks
- 4Apply for visa4–8 weeks
Application deadline: Application deadline 1 February 2027; documents deadline 15 February 2027 (programs other than Engineering). International students have the same deadlines. Waterloo admits first-year students for the September term only. Source: https://uwaterloo.ca/fut…
Visa & support journey
- Offer letterFrom the university
- Visa guidanceExpert support
- Pre-departureAccommodation & travel
- Ongoing supportEven after you arrive
Student stories
Real students. Real results.
- Average rating
- 4.9
- Google reviews
- 360+
- Rated five stars
- 95%
Average rating
Google reviews
Rated five stars
“I would like to express my gratitude for the excellent assistance provided during my student visa process. The team was responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive at every stage, from document preparation to submission guidance. Their clear communication and professional approach made the process much easier and more efficient.”
1 / 8
Nihad K, 5 out of 5 stars
Every review below is a real Google review — see all of them
Frequently asked questions
How much does Planning cost?
CAD 47,196 / year.
What English score does it need?
IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.
How long is it?
5 years, as listed by the university.
What are the entry requirements?
Ontario students || Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including || • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 75% is required) || Admission averages: low 80s || Not studying in Ontario? || Search our admission requirements. · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90; PTE Academic 63; Duolingo English Test 120 · English test waiver: An English-language test score is required only if the applicant's four most recent years of full-time education have NOT been in an English-language school system. Exemptions: four most recent years of full-time education completed in Canada; bilingual Francophone Canadians (or first-language French with four or more years of full-time Canadian high school); or four most recent years of full-time education taught in an entirely English-language school system in Canada or another country (supported by official transcripts showing language of instruction, or an official hardcopy letter sent directly by the school principal - emailed letters are not accepted). Full-time ESL programs do not qualify. Applicants below the required scores may enter through Waterloo's Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program. Source: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/english-language-requirements
Is there a scholarship?
International Student Entrance Scholarship: CAD 10,000 for first-year studies, paid in two instalments of CAD 5,000 (late July and late November) against first- and second-term tuition. No application is required; eligible students see it in the Waterloo applicant portal from mid-April. Conditions: full-time enrolment (three or more courses) in the first and second terms, and continuing international fee-paying status. It does not replace or reduce other entrance scholarships. Source View scholarship page
Is it accredited?
Professional planner (RPP / MCIP): Professional Standards Board for the Planning Profession in Canada (PSB), through its Accreditation Program Committee. Accreditation runs for up to five years and may be conditional or unconditional; DOCTORAL programmes are explicitly not eligible. PSB reads an accreditation to the end of the last indicated academic year (a programme shown as accredited to 2017 is accredited to the end of academic 2017-2018, normally 31 August 2018). PSB also recognizes progra…
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