4 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.

Full	Western Media & Communications Studies OUAC EI Remove	McMaster Wilson College Leadership and Civic Studies I OUAC MWC Remove	Ottawa Conflict Studies and Human Rights and Master in Security and Defence Studies (4 years) OUAC OGA Remove	Ottawa Études des conflits et droits humains et Maîtrise en études de sécurité et défence (4 ans) OUAC OGB 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%	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	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
Prerequisitesas published	English, ENG4U	English 4U	ENG4U or FRA4U	FRA4U or ENG4U
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	No	No
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts, BA/MA, Bachelor of Social Science, BSocSc	Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts, BA/MA, Bachelor of Social Science, BSocSc
First-year intakewhere published	300	60	—	—
What you study	Information Systems Information Technology Media and Communication StudiesOthers in Technology	Interdisciplinary Studies Politics Social Policy	Interdisciplinary Studies Politics Social Policy	Interdisciplinary Studies Politics Social 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 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.	This four-year combined degree integrates the study of conflict, human rights, security, and defence policy across social science and humanities perspectives. Unlike separate bachelor's and master's programs, you complete both degrees as one continuous stream, allowing you to move quickly from foundational concepts to advanced research and analysis. It suits students interested in understanding international relations, peace-building, or policy work who want deeper expertise than a single undergraduate degree provides.
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	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	Western University on OUInfo	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo

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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.