4 programs, side by side

Full	McMaster Computer Science I OUAC MC ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Computing and Financial Management (Co-op Only) OUAC WCF ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Business Administration (Laurier) and Computer Science (Waterloo) Double Degree (Co-op Only) OUAC WBC ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Computer Science (Regular/Co-op) OUAC WCS ☆ 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	90–97%“Low to Mid-90s”	90–97%“Low to Mid-90s”	90–97%“Low to Mid-90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U	Any Grade 12 U English Advanced Functions Calculus and Vectors One other Grade 12 U course	Any Grade 12 U English Advanced Functions Calculus and Vectors One other Grade 12 U course	Any Grade 12 U English Advanced Functions Calculus and Vectors One other Grade 12 U course
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 An Admission Information Form (AIF) is required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. Usually closes before January 15	Yes An Admission Information Form is required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. You're strongly encouraged to write the Euclid Mathematics Contest and the Canadian Senior Mathematics Competition. Individual selection may vary. Usually closes before January 15	Yes An Admission Information Form (AIF) is required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. You are strongly encouraged to write the Euclid Mathematics Contest and the Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest. Individual selection may vary. Usually closes before January 15
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—	Bachelor of Computer Science, BCS, Bachelor of Mathematics, BMath
First-year intakewhere published	—	42	29	360
What you study	Computer Science	Artificial IntelligenceBusiness StudiesComputer ScienceFinance	Artificial IntelligenceBusiness StudiesComputer ScienceSoftware Engineering	Artificial IntelligenceComputer GamesComputer ScienceHealth Informatics
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.	You study computer science and finance together, learning to build software systems and understand money management, accounting, and business strategy. This is different from studying either field alone because you learn how technology and financial systems interact. The co-op requirement means you alternate between school and paid work terms, giving you real-world experience in tech or finance companies. This suits people who want both technical skills and business knowledge, and who are ready to commit to the co-op schedule.	You study both computer science and business administration as integrated degrees, not separate majors. This co-op stream requires you to alternate between classroom terms and paid work terms throughout your program, giving you applied experience in tech and business roles. It suits students who want technical depth and business acumen together, and who are willing to commit to a longer timeline that includes mandatory internships.	You study the design, development, and theory behind computer software and systems. In the co-op stream, you alternate between classroom terms and paid work terms at tech companies, giving you practical experience alongside your degree. This program suits people who want to build real-world coding skills early and explore whether they prefer software development, artificial intelligence, games, or other computing specializations while earning money.
The door tomajors you reach through it	computer science	finance	Applied to directly	computer science
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Waterloo 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.