4 programs, side by side

Full	Western Media & Communications Studies OUAC EI ☆ Add to planRemove	McMaster Wilson College Leadership and Civic Studies I OUAC MWC ☆ Add to planRemove	Carleton Public Affairs and Policy Management OUAC CPX ☆ Add to planRemove	Ottawa Conflict Studies and Human Rights and Master in Security and Defence Studies (4 years) OUAC OGA ☆ Add to planRemove
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%	80%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	ENG4U	No course codes parsed — see prerequisites	No course codes parsed — see prerequisites
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
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	ENG4U or FRA4U
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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	No	Available	No
Degree	—	—	—	Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts, BA/MA, Bachelor of Social Science, BSocSc
First-year intakewhere published	300	60	—	—
What you study	Information SystemsInformation TechnologyMedia and Communication StudiesOthers in Technology	Interdisciplinary StudiesPoliticsSocial Policy	International DevelopmentMedia and Communication StudiesOthers in Business & Administrative StudiesPolitics	Interdisciplinary StudiesPoliticsSocial Policy
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.	You study how conflicts arise between groups and nations, and how human rights law and institutions work to prevent or resolve them. In your final years, you shift focus to security policy, military strategy, and defence issues at national and international levels. This combined degree suits people interested in diplomacy, international organizations, law, or government policy work who want exposure to both the rights and security sides of global politics.
The door tomajors you reach through it	communications	Applied to directly	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	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	Western University on OUInfo	McMaster University on OUInfo	Carleton University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa 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.