3 programs, side by side

+ Add a program	McMaster Engineering I - Software Engineering OUAC MES ☆ Add to planRemove	Queen's Smith Engineering - Direct Entry Computer Engineering OUAC QEC ☆ 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	87%“A minimum of 87% is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this	90–93%“Low 90s”	90–97%“Low to Mid-90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4UMCV4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4USCH4USPH4U	ENG4UMCV4UMHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U	ENG4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U MHF4U	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 Mandatory supplementary application Usually closes before January 15	Marks only	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
Degree	Bachelor of Engineering, BEng, Bachelor of Engineering and Management, BEng&Mgt, Bachelor of Engineering and Society, BEngSoc	—	Bachelor of Computer Science, BCS, Bachelor of Mathematics, BMath
First-year intakewhere published	—	40	360
What you study	Software Engineering	Computer ScienceElectronic & Electrical EngineeringGeneral or Integrated EngineeringSoftware Engineering	Artificial IntelligenceComputer GamesComputer ScienceHealth Informatics
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.	Smith Engineering's direct-entry computer engineering program lets you study the design and programming of computing systems from the ground up, combining software development with the electronics and electrical principles that make hardware work. Unlike applying to general engineering first, you enter this stream directly and follow a focused path in computer engineering throughout your degree. It suits students who are confident they want to build or optimize computer systems and hardware, not just write software in isolation.	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	software engineering	Applied to directly	computer science
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	None published by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University 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.