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 Media & Communications Studies OUAC EI Remove	McMaster Wilson College Leadership and Civic Studies I OUAC MWC Remove	Carleton Public Affairs and Policy Management OUAC CPX Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	83–87%“A minimum of mid-80s is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this	80–82%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	ENG4U	No course codes parsed — see prerequisites
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	English, ENG4U	English 4U	Optional concentrations: Development and Human Rights; International Policy; Public Policy and Administration Combined honours with Communication and Media Studies available 6 best 4U/M courses Alternative Offers Find more information about alternative offers +1 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Yes OUAC Application Deadline: January 15, 2027 To be considered, you must provide a completed supplementary application Usually closes before January 15	Marks only
Co-op	Available	No	Available
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	300	60	—
What you study	Information Systems Information Technology Media and Communication StudiesOthers in Technology	Interdisciplinary Studies Politics Social Policy	International Development Media and Communication Studies Others in Business & Administrative Studies Politics
What it is	This program combines the study of media, communication, and information technology — learning how messages are created, shared, and understood across digital and traditional platforms alongside practical IT skills. The co-op requirement means you alternate between classroom terms and paid work placements in media, tech, or communications companies, giving you real industry experience alongside your degree. It suits students interested in how technology shapes storytelling and public conversation, who want hands-on workplace experience before graduating.	This program combines study of political systems, social policy, and leadership theory across multiple disciplines to prepare you to understand and influence how communities and institutions work. It differs from a straight political science degree by explicitly weaving in civic engagement and practical leadership skills alongside theory. It suits students who want to think critically about social problems and are drawn to roles in government, non-profit work, or community organizations.	You study how governments, organizations, and institutions make decisions and solve public problems, combining politics, policy analysis, and communication. The program lets you focus on areas like international development, social policy, or media's role in public discourse, and you can pair it with a communication degree if you want. It suits people interested in working in government, non-profits, advocacy groups, or international organizations where understanding policy and public issues matters more than technical expertise.
The door tomajors you reach through it	communications	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	16 published, 9 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	Western University on OUInfo	McMaster University on OUInfo	Carleton University 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.