4 programs, side by side

Full	Carleton Engineering – Software OUAC CES ☆ Add to planRemove	Ottawa Conception multidisciplinaire - apprentissage expérientiel (4 ans) OUAC OMB ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Management Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WEM ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	75–80%“75–80% (regular and co-op)”	75%	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”	83–90%“Mid- to high-80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	No course codes parsed — see prerequisites	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U one of MCV4U, MHF4U one of ISC4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	Advanced Functions (MHF4U) Calculus (MCV4U) Chemistry (SCH4U) Physics (SPH4U) 2 best 4U/M courses +3 more on the program page	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U or MCV4U One of the following: SBI4U, SCH4U, ISC4U, SPH4U Students who do not have the 4U Math prerequisite can take the replacement course at the University either the summer before or during their first year.	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Marks only	Yes NEW: All Engineering program applications require an online video interview. You will receive more information after you apply. An Admission Information Form is also required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. Also considered: Involvement in extracurricular activities in school or community, evidence of interest in engineering and strong performance in mathematics, science or engineering-related competitions. Usually closes before January 15	Yes NEW: All Engineering program applications require an online video interview. You will receive more information after you apply. An Admission Information Form is also required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. Also considered: Involvement in extracurricular activities in school or community, evidence of interest in engineering and strong performance in mathematics, science or engineering-related competitions. Usually closes before January 15
Co-op	Available	No	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	—	94	90
What you study	Artificial IntelligenceComputer EngineeringSoftware Engineering	Computer ScienceDesignInterdisciplinary StudiesOthers in Technology	Artificial IntelligenceComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering	Artificial IntelligenceBusiness StudiesEconomicsGeneral or Integrated Engineering
What it is	You study how to design, build, and maintain software systems and applications, from the coding and logic to the architecture that makes programs run. This program includes hands-on projects in artificial intelligence and computer engineering alongside core software development. The co-op placement is required, meaning you alternate between classroom terms and paid work terms at companies, giving you real workplace experience before you graduate.	You study computer science and design together in a hands-on, project-based way rather than as separate subjects. The program emphasizes learning through real problems and experimentation, so you'll build working projects alongside traditional coursework. This suits people who want to understand how technology and design connect and prefer learning by doing.	This program teaches you to design and build complex systems — often combining software, hardware, human behaviour, and business — that solve real-world problems. Unlike a traditional engineering program focused on one discipline, it blends computer science, design thinking, and management so you learn how systems work across multiple fields. It suits students who want engineering skills but prefer understanding how all the pieces fit together and spending time working in industry during their degree.	This program teaches you how to manage engineering projects and operations by combining business decision-making with technical knowledge of systems, data analysis, and software. Unlike a straight engineering degree, it focuses equally on the management and optimization side of engineering work, drawing from fields like operations research and artificial intelligence. It suits students who are strong in math and science but interested in leadership roles, problem-solving with data, and working on real problems through mandatory paid work terms.
The door tomajors you reach through it	software engineering	Applied to directly	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	16 published, 9 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	Carleton University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

Ranges are what each university publishes, not guaranteed cutoffs, and limited-enrolment programs often admit above them. Confirm anything you are about to act on with the university; each column links to its source.