Laurier is accepting applications for spring 2021 and fall 2021.

Please review our Dates and Deadlines page for application deadlines.

See our Admissions website for detailed application instructions.

It’s strongly recommended that you apply by the application deadline. We can only guarantee that you’ll be considered for admission to the program you apply to if we receive your application by the deadline.

If you apply after the deadline, you will still be considered for admission is there’s space available in the program you are applying to. If that program does not have space available in it, you’ll be considered for an alternate offer of admission.

Application deadline for fall 2021:

• Ontario high school applicants: Jan. 15, 2021
• All other applicants: April 1, 2021

The Recruitment and Admissions office is still receiving mail. However, receipt of documents may be delayed. 

You are able to upload electronic copies of your transcripts or coursework electronically through your LORIS account. If you have the ability to submit an electronic copy, this will allow the admissions team to review your application in a more timely manner. Documents submitted through LORIS are considered unofficial.

Laurier is still able to assess applications and send out offers. We are receiving grades from the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) as guidance counsellors input them. We are checking for new grades frequently and will be issuing offers on a continuous basis between now and the end of May. Depending on the time of year, we are looking for different grade criteria to make our admission decisions.

You can see what grades have already been submitted for your by checking your OUAC account. If you have any grades available that have not been submitted yet, connect with your guidance office to find out when they will be submitted.

As the academic year unfolds, it is possible that quadmesters may affect our admissions process and our ability to assess applicants. If that happens, Laurier will provide flexibility to support applicants and help them secure admission to Laurier. We will ensure we communicate updates as soon as possible via email and through this FAQ.

Current Ontario High School Applicants

You should check your OUAC account to verify this information: "Current High School Information and Grades." Ontario high school officials complete this section. Check the information provided carefully and inform your guidance counsellor if you find any errors.

If you are taking courses at a school outside your “home” school, you are responsible for ensuring that this school submits the course information and all updates to your “home” school and to the OUAC. 

If the course information is missing from your application, you must contact that school and request that they submit the missing information to your “home” school and to the OUAC.

This information has been taken from the OUAC website.

All Other Applicants

LORIS is the official means to confirm if we have received your required documents. Please follow the online instructions that are outlined on our Required Documents webpage.

You can track the receipt of your documents using your LORIS account. (LORIS stands for Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System). We will update your LORIS account when we receive a document. If you submit a required document using LORIS, we will receive it automatically. We do not confirm when we receive documents through email or on the phone. 

We know that the complications from COVID-19 affect applicants differently and we will work with applicants to be as flexible as possible. Please try to ensure your requested transcripts and documents arrive by the deadline and leave lots of time to coordinate these details.

If you need an extension, email chooselaurier@wlu.ca or international@wlu.ca and let us know what transcripts and/or documents are delayed. Please include your Laurier ID number and provide an estimated date of when we will receive your files.

Arrange to have your school or institution email a digital copy of your final transcript or document to documentsubmission@wlu.ca by the deadline we provided to you on your official offer letter. The email must be sent directly from an official at your school or education institution. (Laurier will verify that the email address is an official email address from the school/institution). These documents will be considered official.

Please try to ensure your final official transcripts and other requested documents are submitted to documentsubmission@wlu.ca by the deadline and leave lots of time to coordinate these details. If you are worried about missing the deadline, email chooselaurier@wlu.ca or international@wlu.ca and request an extension. Please include your Laurier ID number and provide an estimated date of when we will receive your transcript.

We understand that the COVID-19 situation affects applicants differently and that you may be experiencing prolonged difficulties. The well-being of future students is important to Laurier and we want to help students achieve their goal of attending university.

Laurier has a "Special Cases or Extenuating Circumstances" review process. If recent or present circumstances have impacted your ability to achieve a strong academic standing, submit a personal statement to chooselaurier@wlu.ca or international@wlu.ca. It is your decision to disclose any supporting details. You must submit your statement by the posted deadline for the term that you will begin your studies. 

If you aren't eligible for admission into the program that you applied to, you will be automatically considered for an alternate offer of admission.

You will be considered for an alternate program that you meet the minimum admission requirements for and that has space available in it.

Laurier cannot guarantee a specific program as an alternate offer of admission before we assess your application, particularly for competitive programs. This means that you should apply to every program that you want to be considered for admission to.

Any university credits that you received in winter 2020 with a grade of ‘pass’, ‘credit' or 'credit received’ will be assessed for transfer credit to Laurier. This transfer credit policy applies to winter 2020 only.

For all other terms, a minimum grade of 60% (equivalent to a Laurier C-) in the course is needed in order for transfer credit to count towards the course requirements for your Laurier major.

Laurier will accept the Duolingo English Test for spring 2021 admissions. A decision to accept Duolingo for fall 2021 admissions is currently under review.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has created web resources on how COVID-19 is affecting visitors and students. Please see their website for ongoing updates.

Please also read our web resource on international study permits and COVID-19.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has created new provisions for international students who are applying for a Canadian study permit.

Please read the international study permits and COVID-19 web resource for important updates, including what to do if you are experiencing difficulty obtaining important documents for your study permit application due to COVID-19 closures.

You will also need a valid study permit if you’d like to travel to Canada. Laurier has been added to the list of designated learning institutions (DLIs) with an approved readiness plan, which is one requirement for international students studying at Laurier to travel to Canada. Having valid documentation, including a study permit, is another requirement. Find out more about what is required to travel to Canada.

We understand that circumstances may lead you to defer your offer of admission. Laurier accepts requests to defer your offer for one full academic year. The deadline to request a deferral for one year is Aug. 1, 2021. 

Please read through Laurier’s deferral policy on our Admitted Students’ website. Please note that deferral requests are not guaranteed.

At present, we are unable to welcome visitors to our campuses for the safety and concern of both visitors and our campus communities. When Laurier is able to resume in-person tours, the information will be posted on our Tours and Events webpage.

We know how important campus visits are to future students and their supporters, so we made several opportunities to explore Laurier virtually. You can book a live virtual tour or take a virtual campus tour at your convenience.

The safety of our future students, current students, staff and faculty is our priority, so Laurier is hosting a series of virtual events to connect with future students and their families.

• See our upcoming webinars for future students.
• Our virtual open house is available for replay. Access videos on our 80+ undergraduate programs, admissions and campus life.

We launched a Virtual Laurier Experience to bring our campuses to you! And it’s much more than just tours (but we have those, too!).

Highlights include:

• Recorded Information Session about Laurier
• Access to Our Viewbooks
• Virtual Campus Tours
• Book a Meeting with a Current Student Ambassador
• Photo Gallery of Our Favourite Campus Spots
• Meet Our International Recruiters

Most courses will be offered online and virtually this winter. You can view the Undergraduate Instructional Plans for Winter 2021.

The Laurier 101 program is designed to support the needs of our incoming class. Through this program you have access to our high-quality remote academic support services, including consultations and online workshops, to help you develop your academic skills. We’ll make sure that you have the information you need to stay connected with our supportive remote learning environment throughout your first year.

We have helped our faculty transform their online learning experience to support you with high-quality teaching that keeps you engaged and excited about the content you’re learning. We have staff and advisors dedicated to supporting your academic needs as you adjust to remote learning. And for traditionally challenging courses that are now being offered fully online, we will offer appointments, workshops and resources to support students.

We've created a resource hub filled with support services and golden ideas to help make your journey a little easier. Check out the top 5 ways to prepare for virtual studies. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have updated travel restrictions, which will allow you to travel to Canada if you fulfill the requirements and if your designated learning institution (DLI) has an approved readiness plan.

Laurier has an approved readiness plan, the Safe Travel, Arrival and Quarantine (STAQ) Program. Find out more about the requirements to travel to Canada and the STAQ Program. 

Students who have decided to cancel their residence application for fall 2020 will be notified when the residence application for winter 2021 is open. Please note we cannot guarantee residence to students who deferred their offer from September 2020 to January 2021.

Residence was made available for fall 2020 and winter 2021. The Department of Residence worked together to create an exceptional residence experience for students with their health and safety as our top priority. We will continue this commitment to safety and the student experience in the winter term as well.

Some highlights of what you can expect while living in residence are:

• Your own bedroom in order to effectively practice physical distancing
• Enhanced cleaning procedures and no guest policies to ensure safety
• Residence Dons on every floor to help support community-building

The residence experience is intended to provide an environment where you gain academic support and an opportunity to establish new and long-lasting friendships.

The Department of Residence will accept applications to live in residence for fall 2021 when the online application opens online in April. Any updates regarding the residence application or residence experience will be communicated to applicants and prospective students as soon as possible.

We guarantee residence* to all undergraduate students attending a postsecondary institution for the first time. Applications must be received before June 1, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.

Please note, we cannot guarantee residence to students who defer their offer to January.

*While Laurier endeavours to honour its residence guarantee, the University will not be liable for any failure or delay in providing residential accommodation when such failure arises out of any cause or causes beyond its reasonable control. Learn more about our Residence Guarantee.

Your well-being is foundational to a meaningful university experience. We will help you to build strong health and wellness habits through supports:

• Wellness education workshops.
• Virtual and in-person medical and personal care through the Student Wellness Centres.
• Year-long mental health promotion activities and events and access support services. 

Laurier created a Remote Learning: Student Support Hub to help current students adjust to remote learning and access support from one place. The Remote Learning Hub includes specific resources for mental health and social support, as well as exam and technology support and frequently asked questions for current students.

The Peer Support program aims to create a safe, inviting space where students can discuss student-life concerns with a trained peer supporter who can listen, validate, and refer them to additional resources. Peer Support is a collaboration of the Student Wellness Centre, Graduate Students’ Association, and the Canadian Mental Health Association.

The Laurier 101 transition programs are designed to engage and support your needs as our incoming class. More than that, you will experience a supportive academic learning environment throughout the year.

• Virtual Laurier 101 events and sessions focus on academic success strategies, connections with classmates, course registration support and information for parents/supporters.
• We offer help with course registration. Participate in a live registration webinar specific to your faculty and then have your course registration checked by an academic advisor (to ensure you are enrolled in the courses you need).
• Learn strategies for academic success. We will use all avenues of virtual delivery to ensure that you get the high-quality academic support you need, including workshops to help you develop your academic skills.
• Change to remote delivery for existing academic supports, including math and writing support, academic advising and accessible learning.

Laurier has an active community environment and we work hard to ensure you feel connected to your university community from day one. 

Not only will you meet your classmates during virtual Laurier 101 activities, but you will also meet students, faculty and staff through social events and campus services.

Some initiatives from our fall 2020 Laurier 101 program include:

• A virtual gaming program for students to connect with each other and learn about the many ways to get involved and engaged at Laurier.
• Online social and academic connection opportunities including ‘new student chats,’ ‘Ask a Prof’ nights, mock lectures and ‘Ask a Hawk’ sessions.
• Community and Laurier spirit-building initiatives including the ‘It’s Great to Be a Laurier Golden Hawk’ video project.
• A bi-weekly newsletter to keep you updated with new and emerging information.
• Resources to help keep you active, including fitness classes you can do at home.

As announced by Ontario University Athletics (OUA), OUA-sanctioned sports programming and championships up to March 31, 2021 are cancelled. Learn more about the cancellation on the OUA website.

For the latest updates from Laurier's Department of Athletics and Recreation, see the athletics COVID-19 Update page.

Various sectors and employers are still actively hiring and posting jobs throughout these uncertain times. Our Co-op and Career Services are there to support you through the entire employment process, from job searches to resume and interview preparation.