3 programs, side by side

Rows marked with a dot are where these differ. Everything is each university’s own published wording; the “your average” row is yours, calculated the way each program does it.

	Carleton Computer Science OUAC COD Remove	Ottawa Multidisciplinary Design- Experiential Learning (4 years) OUAC OMC Remove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–85%“80-85% (regular and co-op)”	75%	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MCV4U MHF4U	No course codes parsed — see prerequisites	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
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) 4 best 4U/M courses Alternative Offers Find more information about alternative offers +1 more on the program page	ENG4U or FRA4U MCV4U or MHF4U 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%)
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
Co-op	Available	No	Available
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	21	94
What you study	Artificial Intelligence Business Studies Computer Games Management	Computer Science Design Interdisciplinary StudiesOthers in Technology	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Design General or Integrated Engineering
What it is	You study the theory and practice of building software, designing systems, and solving problems with computers. Carleton's program lets you focus on specializations like artificial intelligence, games, or software engineering, and includes a co-op stream where you alternate between classroom and paid work terms. This suits students who want hands-on industry experience alongside their degree and are interested in both the technical and applied sides of computing.	You study design across multiple disciplines, blending computer science, visual and product design, and hands-on problem-solving. Unlike a single-discipline design program, this approach lets you explore how technology, creativity, and practical application intersect in real projects. It suits people who want to design solutions but aren't sure whether they lean toward coding, visual work, or engineering, and who learn best 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.
The door tomajors you reach through it	computer science	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
Source	Carleton University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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