Wilfrid Laurier University: health sciences degrees and the road to nursing
Searching for nursing at Laurier? We found health sciences degrees on Laurier's program pages, but did not find an entry-to-practice nursing degree. This page explains what Laurier publishes so you can plan your route to a nursing licence.
What the school offers (nursing)
Two Laurier programs are relevant to students heading toward nursing:
- Health Sciences (Department of Health Sciences, Waterloo campus): described as designed for students pursuing postgraduate opportunities in health-related fields, including public health, biomedical sciences, medicine, dentistry, nursing and paramedicine. Courses include biology, chemistry, psychology, math, and community, public and population health.
- Applied Health Sciences (BASc): a four-year program at the Brantford campus, full-time or part-time, with September, January or May starts. Laurier says it does not lead to nursing licensure, though graduates can pursue nursing with additional training and education.
Treat these as science and health degrees, not as nursing degrees. Confirm directly with Laurier whether any nursing program is offered before you apply.
Becoming licensed after graduating
In Ontario, nurses are registered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). It lists requirements that include completing a nursing education program designed for the type of nursing you want to practise, passing the registration exam for your nursing category, completing a jurisprudence exam, and showing language proficiency and authorization to practise. A degree that does not lead to licensure would not meet the education requirement on its own.
How to apply
Laurier says applications to the Applied Health Sciences program are submitted through OUAC (the Ontario Universities' Application Centre), with admission requirements that vary by province and student status. Check the Health Sciences program page for the Waterloo campus requirements.
How Fiabita's Study Lab can help students here
If you are in a health sciences degree and planning to apply to nursing next, Study Lab can help you review prerequisites such as anatomy, physiology and biology from your own notes, using quizzes and flashcards. It can also help you prepare to explain your nursing interest. Study Lab is independent from Laurier, and AI-generated content can contain errors, so validate it against your course material.
Sources
- Laurier: Department of Health Sciences
- Laurier: Applied Health Sciences (BASc)
- College of Nurses of Ontario: registration requirements
Last checked October 2026. Programs, requirements and dates change: always confirm on the official pages above.