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 Financial Mathematics and Economics (4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available) OUAC OUT Remove	Waterloo Management Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WEM Remove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	80%	83–90%“Mid- to high-80s”	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	MCV4U MHF4U	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 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%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)
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	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
Degree	Bachelor of Science, BSc, Bachelor of Science (Co-op), BSc (Co-op)	—	—
First-year intakewhere published	—	90	94
What you study	Economics Finance Interdisciplinary Studies Mathematics	Artificial Intelligence Business Studies Economics General or Integrated Engineering	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Design General or Integrated Engineering
What it is	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.	This program teaches you how to manage engineering projects and operations by combining business decision-making with technical knowledge of systems, data analysis, and software. Unlike a straight engineering degree, it focuses equally on the management and optimization side of engineering work, drawing from fields like operations research and artificial intelligence. It suits students who are strong in math and science but interested in leadership roles, problem-solving with data, and working on real problems through mandatory paid work terms.	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.
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	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them
Source	University of Ottawa on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo

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