3 programs, side by side

+ Add a program	Western Media & Communications Studies OUAC EI ☆ Add to planRemove	Ottawa Études des conflits et droits humains et Maîtrise en études de sécurité et défence (4 ans) OUAC OGB ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	80%	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	No course codes parsed — see prerequisites	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U	—
Prerequisitesas published	English, ENG4U	FRA4U or ENG4U	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	—	Bachelor of Arts/Master of Arts, BA/MA, Bachelor of Social Science, BSocSc	—
First-year intakewhere published	300	—	94
What you study	Information SystemsInformation TechnologyMedia and Communication StudiesOthers in Technology	Interdisciplinary StudiesPoliticsSocial Policy	Artificial IntelligenceComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering
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 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.	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	communications	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	Western University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo 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.