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 Computer Science I OUAC MC Remove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD Remove	Ottawa Mechanical Engineering and Computing Technology (5-year double degree) OUAC OBC Remove
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	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”	85%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 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 NEW: All Engineering program applications require an online video interview. You will receive more information after you apply. An Admission Information Form is also required. We will send you instructions when we acknowledge your application. Also considered: Involvement in extracurricular activities in school or community, evidence of interest in engineering and strong performance in mathematics, science or engineering-related competitions. 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), Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc
First-year intakewhere published	—	94	30
What you study	Computer Science	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Design General or Integrated Engineering	Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Interdisciplinary Studies Mechanical 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.	This program teaches you to design and build complex systems — often combining software, hardware, human behaviour, and business — that solve real-world problems. Unlike a traditional engineering program focused on one discipline, it blends computer science, design thinking, and management so you learn how systems work across multiple fields. It suits students who want engineering skills but prefer understanding how all the pieces fit together and spending time working in industry during their degree.	You study both mechanical engineering and computer science together over five years, learning to design machines and systems while also programming and working with software and hardware integration. Unlike doing these as separate degrees, you graduate with credentials in both fields and understand how they work together in modern engineering. This suits students who want to bridge mechanical design with computing, or who are drawn to robotics, automation, and intelligent systems.
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	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.