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.

	Western Computer Science OUAC ECS Remove	Waterloo Architectural Engineering (Co-op only) OUAC WEA Remove	Ottawa Computer Engineering (4 years) OUAC OBE Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	83–90%“Mid- to High 80s”	80%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of ICS4U, MDM4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
Prerequisitesas published	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Advanced Functions, MHF4U One of: Biology, SBI4U +5 more on the program page	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Applied Science, BASc, Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op), BEng (Co-op)
First-year intakewhere published	500	90	88
What you study	Computer GamesInformation ServicesSoftware Engineering	ArchitectureBuildingCivil Engineering Design	Computer Engineering Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Software Engineering
What it is	Computer Science at Western teaches you how to write programs, build software systems, and solve problems using computers and code. You choose a focus — such as game development, managing information systems, or engineering robust software — based on your interests. The program includes paid work terms alongside your studies, letting you apply classroom learning in real jobs and build professional experience before you graduate.	You study how buildings are designed and constructed, combining architecture with engineering principles like structural systems, materials, and building codes. This program requires you to do co-op work terms alongside your studies, so you alternate between school and paid job placements in design firms or construction companies. It suits students who want hands-on experience in the building industry and prefer learning by doing real projects, not just in classrooms.	Computer engineering combines the design of computer hardware with the software that runs on it. You'll study circuits, processors, programming, and systems that integrate both. The co-op stream lets you alternate between classroom and paid work terms at tech companies, giving you real industry experience alongside your degree, which sets it apart from the straight four-year option.
The door tomajors you reach through it	computer science	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	Western University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo

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Same subject area and a similar published range, at a campus you have not got in the table yet.

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.