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	Laurentian Architectural Studies OUAC LDA Remove	TMU Architectural Science (Co-op Available) OUAC SAD Remove	OCAD Digital Futures OUAC HDF Remove	Waterloo Architectural Engineering (Co-op only) OUAC WEA Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	75%	90%“90%+”	Not published“N/A”	83–90%“Mid- to High 80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	ENG4U SPH4U	ENG4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of MCV4U, MDM4U, MHF4U	one of MCV4U, MHF4U	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	1 grade 12 English U/M course (ENG 4U) 2 grade 12 4U/M Math courses 3 other grade 12 U/M courses Statement of Interest and Portfolio A minimum overall average of 75% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses +1 more on the program page	English/Anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred) Physics (SPH4U) Mathematics [one of Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Advanced Functions (MHF4U)]	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%	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)
More than marks?supplementary application	Yes In addition to meeting the academic requirements below, applicants must submit: A portfolio to demonstrate their creativity and skills A statement of interest (500-1000 words) to explain their interest in architecture as well as their choice of Laurentian University/McEwen School of Architecture Usually closes before January 15	Yes Non-academic requirements: Portfolio Usually closes before January 15	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	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	No	Available
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Design, BDes, Bachelor of Fine Arts, BFA	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	135	—	90
What you study	Architecture	Architecture Design	Computer Animation and Visual Effects Design Fine Art Information Systems	ArchitectureBuildingCivil Engineering Design
What it is	Architectural Studies teaches you how to design buildings and spaces, from sketching initial ideas to understanding how they're built and function. This program includes paid work terms where you apply what you're learning at real architecture firms alongside your classroom studies. It suits students who combine creative design thinking with interest in how buildings work technically and who want practical experience before or alongside their formal studies.	Architectural Science is the study of how buildings work technically and functionally—covering structure, systems, materials, and design—rather than architecture as pure art. The co-op option lets you work at real firms alongside your studies, giving you paid work experience in the field. This program suits students who want to understand the practical side of building design and who value hands-on learning in an actual workplace.	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.	You study how buildings are designed and constructed, combining architecture with engineering principles like structural systems, materials, and building codes. This program requires you to do co-op work terms alongside your studies, so you alternate between school and paid job placements in design firms or construction companies. It suits students who want hands-on experience in the building industry and prefer learning by doing real projects, not just in classrooms.
The door tomajors you reach through it	architecture	architecture	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	2 published, 0 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	None published by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	Laurentian University on OUInfo	Toronto Metropolitan University on OUInfo	OCAD University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo 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.