CA · Bachelor's
University of Waterloo (Faculty of Mathematics)
BCS Bachelor of Computer Science (Co-op)
University of Waterloo (Faculty of Mathematics)
Course Overview
Waterloo's BCS is the flagship computer science degree in Canada — run out of the Faculty of Mathematics on the main Waterloo campus, alongside the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science. The headline feature is the co-op program: up to six 4-month paid work terms (around 20 months total) spliced between academic terms, so a Sri Lankan student graduates with 4 years of degree work plus close to two years of paid industry experience.
Co-op placements are arranged through Waterloo's own jobs portal (WaterlooWorks) and historically include Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Shopify, RBC, and a long tail of Toronto-Waterloo corridor startups. International co-op students don't need a separate work permit — co-op work authorisation is bundled into the study permit. You also don't pay tuition during co-op work terms, which materially changes the total program cost.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan A/L: 3 A passes in academic subjects including Combined Mathematics (the strongest single signal Waterloo CS Admissions looks at). AAA is competitive; AAB is the realistic minimum.
- check_circle Strong performance in Pure Mathematics specifically — Waterloo runs its own Euclid Mathematics Contest, and a strong Euclid score is the single biggest admissions advantage for international applicants.
- check_circle Admissions Information Form (AIF) is required and is read carefully — your write-up on programming projects, coding contests, and extracurriculars matters here.
- check_circle Co-op stream is the default; regular (non-co-op) BCS is also available but the co-op pathway is what most Sri Lankan applicants want.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in Writing and Speaking).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall (min 25 Speaking, 25 Writing).
- check_circle Waived if your last 4 years of full-time education were in English (Sri Lankan English-medium schools usually qualify with documentation).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CAD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (Year 1, 2 academic terms) | CAD 73,000 | Rs. 17,155,000 |
| Co-op Fee (per work term) | CAD 836 | Rs. 196,500 |
| Living Expenses (12 months, Waterloo) | CAD 16,000 | Rs. 3,760,000 |
| Study Permit, Biometrics & Health Insurance | CAD 1,400 | Rs. 329,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | CAD 91,236 | Rs. 21,440,500 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Waterloo CS is the single most heavily recruited Canadian CS program by US Big Tech — Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Stripe run dedicated Waterloo co-op pipelines, and many graduates convert co-op offers into full-time roles in the US (TN visa) or Canada. New-grad SWE salaries sit around CAD 110,000 in Toronto and CAD 130,000+ USD in the Bay Area. PGWP eligibility is automatic on graduation — up to 3 years of open work authorisation in Canada, which feeds directly into Express Entry PR.
Related Programs
BSc Honours in Computer Science
Western University (Faculty of Science)
BEng in Computer Science and Design
Singapore University of Technology and Design
MSc in Applied Computing (MScAC)
University of Toronto
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in CA. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.