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.

	Ottawa Computer Engineering (4 years) OUAC OBE Remove	Waterloo Architectural Engineering (Co-op only) OUAC WEA Remove	Guelph Engineering Systems and Computing (BEng) (co-op admission only) OUAC GEK Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80%	83–90%“Mid- to High 80s”	84–89%“84 to 89%”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of ENG4U, FRA4U	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 more on the program page	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U +3 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available
Degree	Bachelor of Applied Science, BASc, Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op), BEng (Co-op)	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	88	90	—
What you study	Computer Engineering Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Software Engineering	ArchitectureBuildingCivil Engineering Design	Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Information Systems Software Engineering
What it is	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 buildings are designed and constructed, combining architecture with engineering principles like structural systems, materials, and building codes. This program requires you to do co-op work terms alongside your studies, so you alternate between school and paid job placements in design firms or construction companies. It suits students who want hands-on experience in the building industry and prefer learning by doing real projects, not just in classrooms.	You study how to design and build software and computing systems that solve real engineering problems. This program combines computer science with broader engineering principles, so you learn both coding and how systems fit into larger projects. You complete paid work terms alongside your studies, giving you industry experience before you graduate. It suits people who want hands-on engineering work, not just pure programming.
The door tomajors you reach through it	Applied to directly	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	12 published, 4 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Guelph 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.