4 programs, side by side

Full	Western Media & Communications Studies OUAC EI ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD ☆ Add to planRemove	Guelph Computer Engineering (BEng) (co-op admission only) OUAC GBL ☆ Add to planRemove	OCAD Digital Futures OUAC HDF ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”	84–89%“84 to 89%”	Not published“N/A”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	English, ENG4U	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U +1 more on the program page	OSSD with an overall academic average of at least 70% in six 4U/M courses, including English 4U with a minimum final grade of 70%
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	Yes Admission based primarily on your portfolio assessment. All offers of admission are conditional on meeting the minimum academic requirements. Alternative Offers There are no alternative offers. Usually closes before January 15
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	No
Degree	—	—	—	Bachelor of Design, BDes, Bachelor of Fine Arts, BFA
First-year intakewhere published	300	94	—	—
What you study	Information SystemsInformation TechnologyMedia and Communication StudiesOthers in Technology	Artificial IntelligenceComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering	Computer Animation and Visual EffectsComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering	Computer Animation and Visual EffectsDesignFine ArtInformation Systems
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 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.	Computer Engineering combines the design and building of computer hardware and software systems. You'll study circuits, processors, programming, and how to integrate them into working devices — going deeper into the physical and mathematical foundations than a pure computer science program. This admission stream requires you to complete mandatory work terms alongside your studies, alternating between school and paid engineering jobs in industry.	Digital Futures is a design and fine arts program where you study visual storytelling through digital tools and media, combining animation, graphic design, coding, and art. Unlike traditional design or fine art streams, it's built around interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world projects that blend artistic creativity with digital technology and communication. It suits people who want to create visually, think critically about media, and work across both artistic and technical domains.
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	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	None published by average
Source	Western University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Guelph on OUInfo	OCAD University 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.