Conestoga College's Waterloo campus is on University Avenue East, a short bus ride from the University of Waterloo and the city's tech offices. International students here mostly take one-year IT graduate certificates in network security, cybersecurity and software testing, along with hospitality and business programmes. Degrees and trades are taught at the other campuses. Conestoga has reduced its programme list since 2024.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Official website: conestogac.on.ca
Conestoga College
Public college campus in Ontario
Waterloo, Waterloo Region
CA$15,000 – CA$20,000
International students, graduate certificates
CA$15,000 – CA$19,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on conestogac.on.ca before you apply.
Information Technology Network Security (Graduate Certificate)
Postgraduate CertificateDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan, May
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Cybersecurity Response Planning (Graduate Certificate)
Postgraduate CertificateDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Software Quality Assurance and Test Engineering (Graduate Certificate)
Postgraduate CertificateDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
Global Hospitality Management (Graduate Certificate)
Postgraduate CertificateDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 88
IT and cybersecurity certificates close to Waterloo's tech firms.
Hospitality management training.
Easy transit links on the ION light rail and buses.
IT graduates start in network support, security operations and QA testing roles.
Hospitality graduates work in hotels and restaurants across Ontario.
Check field-of-study rules for post-graduation work permit eligibility.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Limited programmes
Waterloo is a university city, home to the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier and tech firms such as OpenText. Uptown Waterloo has the shops and restaurants, and the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market is just north of the city.
The ION light rail links Waterloo to Kitchener. Rent climbed sharply as student numbers grew, so sort out housing before you arrive.
Letter of acceptance from Conestoga College
Ontario provincial attestation letter
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
Conestoga admits on a rolling basis. Ontario colleges give equal consideration to applications received by 1 February for September. Apply six to eight months ahead for the study permit.
Waterloo campus certificates start in September, January or May. Some intakes have been paused since 2024, so confirm availability before applying.
Study permit, applied for through IRCC. You'll upload the acceptance letter from Conestoga College, an attestation letter if your programme needs one, proof you can pay tuition and living costs, and then give biometrics.
Network security, cybersecurity, software testing and hospitality management certificates are popular. You need a diploma or degree, ideally in a related field, and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
Conestoga offers a few entrance awards for international students. They are small, so plan to fund your full tuition and living costs.
