The Financial Analysis and Risk Management (FARM) program at the University of Waterloo provides a specialized undergraduate education focused on the financial sector. It equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and manage financial risks, analyze markets, and make informed financial decisions. The program is offered through both a regular study system and a co-operative education (co-op) system, allowing students to choose a path that best suits their learning and career goals. Whether opting for regular study or the integrated work-study experience of co-op, graduates are prepared for advanced professional designations and a variety of roles in the finance industry.
Graduates of the Financial Analysis and Risk Management program are well-prepared for a variety of roles in the finance industry. The program also serves as a strong foundation for pursuing highly recognized professional designations.
You may need to provide an English language test score if your first language is not English and your four most recent years of full-time education have not been in an English-language school system. Exceptions may apply if you have studied in Canada and your first language is English, if you are a Francophone Canadian, or if your four most recent years of full-time education were taught in an entirely English-language school system. Official transcripts or a letter from your previous schools confirming the language of instruction are required for exemption claims. Test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to the University of Waterloo's Office of the Registrar.
The Tuition Fee Estimator provides estimates based on the 2026/2027 academic year and assumes a Fall 2026 program start. Costs for preliminary English language training programs are not included in degree program estimates. Fee schedules are available for a more detailed breakdown of costs.
International students whose first language is not English may need to provide scores from tests like IELTS Academic (6.5 overall, with 6.5 in writing/speaking, 6.0 in reading/listening) or TOEFL iBT (90 overall, with 25 in writing/speaking for tests before Jan 21, 2026; 4.5 overall with 5 in writing/speaking for tests from Jan 21, 2026 onwards). Exemptions may apply if you have studied in an English-language school system.
Tuition fees are based on your international student status. You can estimate specific tuition and incidental fees using the Tuition Fee Estimator tool on the University of Waterloo website for the 2026/2027 academic year. This tool does not include living expenses like housing or textbooks.
The program is offered through a regular study system with eight study terms, or a co-operative education (co-op) system that integrates work and study terms. Specific program length depends on the chosen system and sequence.
Graduates are prepared for roles such as financial analyst, quantitative analyst, or market risk manager. The program also provides a strong foundation for pursuing professional designations like the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
You need to submit an application through the applicant portal, meet academic and English language requirements, and provide supporting documents like official transcripts and test scores by the program's deadline.