4 programs, side by side

Full	McMaster Engineering I - Software Engineering OUAC MES ☆ Add to planRemove	Guelph Computer Science (BComp) Honours (co-op option) OUAC GCT ☆ Add to planRemove	Queen's Computing OUAC QD ☆ Add to planRemove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD ☆ Add to planRemove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	87%“A minimum of 87% is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this	85–90%“85 to 90%”	83–87%“Mid 80s”	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	ENG4U MCV4U 4 additional 4U/M courses Computing courses are recommended, as are any other courses necessary to prepare for study in an "Area of Application". Alternative Offers +1 more on the program page	ENG4U MHF4U MCV4U 3 additional 4U/M courses	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)
More than marks?supplementary application	Yes OUAC application deadline: January 15, 2027 Mandatory supplementary application Usually closes before January 15	Marks only	Marks only	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
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Engineering, BEng, Bachelor of Engineering and Management, BEng&Mgt, Bachelor of Engineering and Society, BEngSoc	—	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	—	400	94
What you study	Software Engineering	Computer ScienceInformation SystemsSoftware Engineering	Artificial IntelligenceComputer ScienceInformation SystemsInformation Technology	Artificial IntelligenceComputer ScienceDesignGeneral or Integrated Engineering
What it is	You study how to design, build, and test software systems that solve real problems. Software engineering goes beyond pure coding to include planning, teamwork, and understanding what users actually need. This program includes mandatory co-op work terms where you apply what you learn in paid positions, and you can choose a degree stream that adds management skills or explores the social impact of technology alongside the technical core.	This program teaches you how to design, build, and test software and computer systems. You learn programming, algorithms, data structures, and how computers work at a fundamental level. The co-op option requires you to complete paid work terms at companies alongside your studies, giving you real workplace experience before you graduate — something most computer science programs don't mandate.	Computing at Queen's covers the theory and practice of building software, managing information systems, and developing artificial intelligence. You'll study programming, algorithms, data structures, and mathematics that underpin these fields. The program includes a co-op option, letting you alternate between classroom and paid work terms at tech companies, which sets it apart from a standard degree and gives you real industry experience alongside your studies. It suits people who like solving problems with code and want hands-on exposure to how software gets built in actual workplaces.	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.
The door tomajors you reach through it	software engineering	computer science	computer sciencesoftware engineering	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	None published by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Guelph on OUInfo	Queen's University 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.