4 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.

Full	McMaster Engineering I - Software Engineering OUAC MES Remove	Ottawa Computer Engineering (4 years) OUAC OBE Remove	York Cybersecurity (BSc - Co-op available) OUAC YPR Remove	Waterloo Mechatronics Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WMT Remove
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	80%	80–83%“Low 80s”	87–93%“High 80s to Low 90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U SCH4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U	one of SCH4U, SPH4U	—
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 more on the program page	Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) ENG4U SCH4U or SPH4U MHF4U Another 4U Math (MCV4U recommended) +7 more on the program page	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	Bachelor of Applied Science, BASc, Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op), BEng (Co-op)	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	88	20	200
What you study	Software Engineering	Computer Engineering Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Software Engineering	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Software Engineering	Artificial Intelligence Computer Engineering Electronic & Electrical Engineering General 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.	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 protect computer systems and networks from cyberattacks by learning programming, software design, and artificial intelligence techniques. Unlike a general computer science degree, this program is built around real-world security problems and includes a co-op work term, so you apply what you learn in actual jobs while still studying. It suits people who want hands-on technical experience and are interested in the growing field of protecting digital information.	Mechatronics Engineering combines mechanical systems, electronics, software, and artificial intelligence to design machines that think and act on their own. Unlike a traditional engineering program, this one requires you to complete paid work terms alternating with school, giving you real industry experience building the robots and automated systems you study in class. It suits people who want hands-on problem-solving across multiple engineering disciplines and are ready to balance studies with work semesters.
The door tomajors you reach through it	software engineering	Applied to directly	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	29 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	York University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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Same subject area and a similar published range, at a campus you have not got in the table yet.

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.