3 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.

	Laurentian Architectural Studies OUAC LDA Remove	Waterloo Global Business and Digital Arts (Co-op only) OUAC WGB Remove	OCAD Graphic Design OUAC HGD Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	75%	80–83%“Low 80s”	Not published“N/A”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U	ENG4U	ENG4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of MCV4U, MDM4U, 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	Any Grade 12 U English (min. 75%)	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	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	Marks only	Yes Admission is 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	No
Degree	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	140	—
What you study	Architecture	Business Studies Computer Animation and Visual Effects Design Media and Communication Studies	Computer Animation and Visual Effects Design Information Systems Media and Communication Studies
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.	You study both business and digital creative work — things like animation, graphic design, and media production — alongside practical work terms in real companies. Unlike a general business degree, this combines creative visual skills with business knowledge so you can manage or launch projects that blend both. It suits people who want to work in creative industries but also understand the commercial and organizational side of getting work made and sold.	You study how to create visual communication using design principles, digital tools, and image-making across print, screen, and interactive media. Graphic design differs from fine arts in that you're solving communication problems for clients or audiences rather than making art for its own sake. This program suits people who think visually, enjoy problem-solving with images and type, and want to work in advertising, branding, publishing, or digital media.
The door tomajors you reach through it	architecture	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	None published by average
Source	Laurentian University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	OCAD University 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.