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 Multidisciplinary Design- Experiential Learning (4 years) OUAC OMC Remove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD Remove	Ottawa Computer Science and Mathematics (Joint Honours – 4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available) OUAC ORA Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	75%	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”	80%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	No course codes parsed — see prerequisites	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of ENG4U, FRA4U one of MCV4U, MHF4U one of ISC4U, SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
Prerequisitesas published	ENG4U or FRA4U MCV4U or MHF4U One of the following: SBI4U, SCH4U, ISC4U, SPH4U Students who do not have the 4U Math prerequisite can take the replacement course at the University either the summer before or during their first year.	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U A combined minimum average of 70% is required for all prerequisite courses in mathematics. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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	No	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op)
First-year intakewhere published	21	94	—
What you study	Computer Science Design Interdisciplinary StudiesOthers in Technology	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Design General or Integrated Engineering	Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Information Technology Interdisciplinary Studies
What it is	You study design across multiple disciplines, blending computer science, visual and product design, and hands-on problem-solving. Unlike a single-discipline design program, this approach lets you explore how technology, creativity, and practical application intersect in real projects. It suits people who want to design solutions but aren't sure whether they lean toward coding, visual work, or engineering, and who learn best by doing.	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.	You study computer science and mathematics together as equally important subjects, rather than taking one as your main focus. This joint honours program lets you combine theoretical math with practical computing skills in ways a single-subject program cannot. It suits students who enjoy both fields and want to understand how mathematics powers computational problem-solving.
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	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo

Also compare with

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.