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.

	McMaster Automotive & Vehicle Engineering Technology I (Bachelor of Technology) OUAC MAT Remove	Waterloo Architecture (Co-op Only) OUAC WR Remove	Ottawa Biomedical Mechanical Engineering (4 years) OUAC OEC Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	82%“A minimum of 82% is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this	83–87%“Mid-80s”	80–85%“80-85%”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SBI4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of MCV4U, MHF4U	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	English (ENG4U – min. 78%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) or Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +3 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	Yes OUAC application deadline: January 15, 2027 To be considered for this program, a mandatory supplementary application Usually closes before January 15	Yes Qualified applicants will be invited to submit a portfolio. Usually closes before January 15	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Applied Science, BASc, Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op), BEng (Co-op)
First-year intakewhere published	—	75	63
What you study	General or Integrated Engineering Mechanical Engineering	ArchitectureBuildingDesign	General or Integrated Engineering Interdisciplinary Studies Mechanical Engineering Medical Technology
What it is	You study the design, building, and testing of cars and other vehicles, combining mechanical engineering with hands-on automotive know-how. Unlike a general mechanical engineering program, this focuses specifically on vehicle systems like engines, transmissions, and chassis. The co-op requirement means you work semesters in automotive companies alongside your classroom learning. It suits people who want engineering depth but prefer learning through real projects and industry experience rather than pure theory.	You study how to design and plan buildings and structures, learning both the creative design side and the technical skills needed to make buildings work safely and function well. This program requires you to do paid work terms at architecture firms throughout your degree, alternating with school semesters, so you graduate with real professional experience. It suits people who want hands-on learning alongside theory and are ready to balance intensive coursework with workplace responsibility.	You study the engineering principles behind medical devices and equipment, combining mechanical engineering with biology and healthcare applications. Unlike pure mechanical engineering, this program integrates biomedical sciences so you design systems that work inside or on the human body. It suits students interested in engineering who also want to apply their skills directly to medicine and health technology, with mandatory paid work terms built into the degree.
The door tomajors you reach through it	Applied to directly	architecture	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Ottawa 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.