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What is Recreation and Leisure?
From pick‑up games to public parks: this is how community wellbeing gets built.
Recreation and Leisure trains you to design, manage, and deliver programs and spaces—sports leagues, community centers, festivals, outdoor education, and therapeutic recreation that promote health, social connection, inclusion, and lifelong learning. At university you study human development, program planning, leadership, facility and event management, inclusion and accessibility, and program evaluation while completing hands‑on labs, placements, or co‑op terms to practice running activities, supervising staff and volunteers, managing budgets and facilities, and measuring outcomes; graduates find work in municipal parks and recreation, sport and event management, tourism, campus or corporate wellness, nonprofit program delivery, and therapeutic recreation, and can move into program management, policy, specialist clinical roles, or graduate study with experience and professional certifications
** Most Rec and Leisure programs are provided by colleges, also Admission Average is usually 5-10% below actual admission cutoff **
How to Get In?
Prerequisites
Any Grade 12 U English Course
Top 5 12 U/M Courses
General Statements
Recreation and Leisure is decently competitive especially with the low number of universities that offer it
Meeting Prereqs or suggested grades DOES NOT guarantee admission
NaviGrad Ranking for Recreation and Leisure
Tier 1
Waterloo, Brock
Tier 2
Lakehead
*Not many Recreation and Leisure programs in Ontario
Tier Information
Tier 1
University of Waterloo
OUAC Code (WX)
• UWaterloo leads in Recreation & Leisure Studies, known for pioneering research and a broad, flexible curriculum that shapes future leaders in health, sport, and community recreation.
• Exceptional co-op program that gives you real, paid work experience, connecting you with top organizations and letting you build a powerful professional network while you study.
• Strong focus on social impact and innovation, blending theory with practical projects that tackle real-world challenges in wellness, inclusion, and leadership.
Brock University
OUAC Code (BW)
• Highly respected for its hands-on, applied approach that integrates outdoor education and therapeutic recreation, making learning feel immediate and relevant.
• Brock has valuable internships and placements that provide direct community engagement, so students graduate with meaningful experience and professional connections.
• Known for fostering teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, Brock prepares students to thrive in dynamic and diverse recreation and leisure careers.
Tier 2
Lakehead University
OUAC Code (AAI)
Lakehead has a unique focus on outdoor and nature-based recreation programs that immerse you in wilderness leadership, parks, and tourism. Perfect if you want a career deeply connected to nature.
Extensive hands-on fieldwork and experiential learning opportunities, including outdoor trips and practical training that build confidence and skills in real environments.
Ideal for those seeking meaningful work in rural, northern, or community-based settings, with strong preparation for therapeutic and recreation roles linked to natural spaces.
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