4 programs, side by side

Full	Guelph Software Engineering (BComp) Honours (co-op option) OUAC GBS ☆ Add to planRemove	Carleton Computer Science OUAC COD ☆ Add to planRemove	Guelph Computer Engineering (BEng) (co-op admission only) OUAC GBL ☆ 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	85–90%“85 to 90%”	80–85%“80-85% (regular and co-op)”	84–89%“84 to 89%”	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4U	MCV4UMHF4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	ENG4U MCV4U 4 additional 4U/M courses Computing courses are recommended, as are any other courses necessary to prepare for study in an "Area of Application".	Advanced Functions (MHF4U) Calculus (MCV4U) 4 best 4U/M courses Alternative Offers Find more information about alternative offers +1 more on the program page	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U +1 more on the program page	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	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	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	—	—	94
What you study	Computer Science	Artificial IntelligenceBusiness StudiesComputer GamesManagement	Computer Animation and Visual EffectsComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering	Artificial IntelligenceComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering
What it is	You study how to design, build, and test software systems — the programs and applications that run on computers and devices. Unlike a pure Computer Science degree, this program focuses on practical engineering: how software is actually built for real-world use, with emphasis on planning, teamwork, and quality. The co-op option means you alternate between study and paid work terms at companies, giving you experience before graduation. This suits people who want hands-on technical skills, prefer learning by doing, and are ready to commit to work placements alongside coursework.	You study the theory and practice of building software, designing systems, and solving problems with computers. Carleton's program lets you focus on specializations like artificial intelligence, games, or software engineering, and includes a co-op stream where you alternate between classroom and paid work terms. This suits students who want hands-on industry experience alongside their degree and are interested in both the technical and applied sides of computing.	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.	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	software engineering	computer science	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	16 published, 9 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	University of Guelph on OUInfo	Carleton University on OUInfo	University of Guelph 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.