To be a Laurier Golden Hawk is an experience like no other. From our tight-knit community to strong academics and experiential learning opportunities, your dreams will be celebrated and supported like nowhere else.
There are so many reasons to choose Wilfrid Laurier University, but here are 10 of our favourites (based on what we hear so often from our students!).
Our Supportive Community
You probably already know this about our Laurier Golden Hawks: they are all about creating community that supports and inspires. In a word, our students are amazing! They find ways to show they care about each other, their university and their community. Laurier is proud to support them — our award-winning course instructors and exceptional Laurier staff all help provide an exceptional learning environment. Laurier’s hundreds of extracurricular activities and comfortable residence options deserve plenty of praise too.
Our Students Give Back
Our students know how to have fun while also giving back to the communities around them, both on and off campus. Golden Hawks give back through community partnerships with organizations in Waterloo, Brantford and Milton. We have an incredibly active student union, with more than 230 student-led clubs and 6,000 students participating across all three campuses.
Changemaker Campus
As a Changemaker Campus, Laurier is a recognized global leader in social entrepreneurship and social innovation education. Laurier was only the second university in Canada to ever qualify for this prestigious designation, given to us by Ashoka U.
Innovative Programs and Academic Choices
Design your degree with our innovative programs and academic minors that will create a personal reflection of your career goals. You'll pair academic knowledge with experiential learning opportunities that are captured on your Laurier Experience Record. You can use your experience record when applying to jobs — it's a resource to help you show employers you have the real-world skills they want and need.
Award-Winning Faculty
Laurier is globally known for instructional excellence and creating engaging and personal learning environments, while our innovative spaces support exceptional student experiences. Our instructors have been recognized for their dedication, engagement and passion for teaching through countless, high-profile awards at institutional, provincial, national and international levels.
Tradition of Excellence
For more than a century, Laurier has been known for academic excellence and preparing students to succeed after graduation. 96% of our 2025 graduates secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies. We share a deep commitment to research within a culture that supports and celebrates teaching excellence. It’s what allows our instructors to engage and inspire tomorrow’s leaders in classes that tackle big ideas but are small enough for faculty to know your name and support your growth.
International Experiences
You can internationalize your degree by enhancing your international and intercultural skills, around the world or right at home. Just a few of the many options include international exchange, a law degree in the UK or Australia, or even a short-term course abroad. On our campuses, Laurier's Intercultural Certificate can help you connect with diverse cultures so you can thrive in a globally diverse world.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities
No matter which academic program you choose, you can immerse yourself in the world of entrepreneurship at Laurier. The Changemakers Hub, Science Maker Hub and Startup Lab all prepare you to lead change rather than react to it. Gain skills, connect with mentors and take advantage of dedicated spaces and programs that will help you turn your dreams into reality.
We Go Beyond the Classroom
Your education goes beyond assigned reading and the lecture hall. At Laurier, in-class education and hands-on learning experiences combine to make you a stand-out graduate. Experiential learning opportunities are available in all our programs to make sure you graduate with real and relevant experience. We not only have one of the largest business degree co-op programs in Canada, and almost half of ALL our programs are available with co-op.
We Take Care of You
Working closely with our students, we’ve carefully developed a powerful support structure so everybody here can have a fulfilling, safe and successful university experience. From academic support to health and wellness to financial wellness, we have an array of services to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional goals.