3 programs, side by side

+ Add a program	McMaster Computer Science I OUAC MC ☆ Add to planRemove	Ottawa Computer Engineering (4 years) OUAC OBE ☆ Add to planRemove	Guelph Engineering Systems and Computing (BEng) (co-op admission only) OUAC GEK ☆ 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%	84–89%“84 to 89%”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4U	MCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U	—
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 more on the program page	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U +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	Marks only	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	—	88	—
What you study	Computer Science	Computer EngineeringComputer ScienceGeneral or Integrated EngineeringSoftware Engineering	Computer ScienceGeneral or Integrated EngineeringInformation SystemsSoftware 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 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.	You study how to design and build software and computing systems that solve real engineering problems. This program combines computer science with broader engineering principles, so you learn both coding and how systems fit into larger projects. You complete paid work terms alongside your studies, giving you industry experience before you graduate. It suits people who want hands-on engineering work, not just pure programming.
The door tomajors you reach through it	computer science	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%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	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.