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 Honours Economics I OUAC MLE Remove	Ottawa Financial Mathematics and Economics (4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available) OUAC OUT Remove	Waterloo Science and Financial Management (Co-op Only) OUAC WSA Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80–87%“Low-to-mid-80s”	80%	80–87%“Low to mid-80s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MHF4U	MCV4U MHF4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U	two of MDM4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U, SPH4U
Prerequisitesas published	English 4U Advanced Functions 4U Calculus 4U	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U A combined minimum average of 70% is required for all prerequisite courses in mathematics. If you are missing MCV4U, you may take the equivalent course at the university the summer before or during your first semester. +2 more on the program page	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Any two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics
More than marks?supplementary application	Marks only	Marks only	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op)	—
First-year intakewhere published	130	—	30
What you study	Economics	Economics Finance Interdisciplinary Studies Mathematics	Accounting Biological Sciences Biology Chemistry
What it is	This program teaches you economic theory and quantitative analysis — how markets work, how people make financial decisions, and how to use data and math to test economic ideas. The co-op requirement means you'll alternate between classroom semesters and paid work terms at companies, government agencies, or research organizations, giving you real-world experience alongside your studies. It suits people who enjoy both math and thinking about how societies allocate resources, and who want to build practical skills before graduation.	Financial Mathematics and Economics is a mathematics-based degree that combines the study of economic systems and financial markets with advanced math and statistics. Unlike a pure economics or pure mathematics program, it trains you to use mathematical models and analysis to solve real-world problems in finance and economics. It suits students who want rigorous quantitative training and are interested in how money, markets, and economies actually work.	You study science subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics alongside accounting and finance courses, learning how to apply scientific knowledge to financial decision-making and business problems. Unlike a straight science degree, you're required to complete paid work terms with employers throughout your studies, alternating between school and jobs. This suits people who want a science background but are drawn to business applications and need real-world work experience before graduating.
The door tomajors you reach through it	economics	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	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	McMaster University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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