4 programs, side by side

Full	McMaster Computer Science I OUAC MC ☆ Add to planRemove	Western Computer Science OUAC ECS ☆ Add to planRemove	Ottawa Computer Engineering (4 years) OUAC OBE ☆ Add to planRemove	Guelph Computer Engineering (BEng) (co-op admission only) OUAC GBL ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	90%“A minimum of 90% is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this	80–87%“Low to mid 80s”	80%	84–89%“84 to 89%”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U	MCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of ICS4U, MDM4U, SBI4U, SES4U, SPH4U	one of ENG4U, FRA4U	—
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U	English, ENG4U Calculus and Vectors MCV4U Advanced Functions, MHF4U One of: Biology, SBI4U +5 more on the program page	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 more on the program page	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U +1 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	Marks only	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Applied Science, BASc, Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op), BEng (Co-op)	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	500	88	—
What you study	Computer Science	Computer GamesInformation ServicesSoftware Engineering	Computer EngineeringComputer ScienceGeneral or Integrated EngineeringSoftware Engineering	Computer Animation and Visual EffectsComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering
What it is	Computer Science I is an introductory computer science program where you learn programming, algorithms, and core computational concepts. It differs from some other programs because it includes a mandatory co-op component, giving you paid work experience in tech roles alongside your studies. This program suits students who want hands-on industry experience early and are curious about whether computer science matches their strengths before committing to upper-year specializations.	Computer Science at Western teaches you how to write programs, build software systems, and solve problems using computers and code. You choose a focus — such as game development, managing information systems, or engineering robust software — based on your interests. The program includes paid work terms alongside your studies, letting you apply classroom learning in real jobs and build professional experience before you graduate.	Computer engineering combines the design of computer hardware with the software that runs on it. You'll study circuits, processors, programming, and systems that integrate both. The co-op stream lets you alternate between classroom and paid work terms at tech companies, giving you real industry experience alongside your degree, which sets it apart from the straight four-year option.	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.
The door tomajors you reach through it	computer science	computer science	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	Western University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Guelph 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.