4 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.

Full	TMU Architectural Science (Co-op Available) OUAC SAD Remove	Laurentian Architectural Studies OUAC LDA Remove	Waterloo Systems Design Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WD Remove	Ottawa Mechanical Engineering and Computing Technology (5-year double degree) OUAC OBC Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	90%“90%+”	75%	87–93%“High 80s to low 90s”	85%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U SPH4U	ENG4U	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	one of MCV4U, MHF4U	one of MCV4U, MDM4U, MHF4U	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
Prerequisitesas published	English/Anglais (ENG4U/EAE4U preferred) Physics (SPH4U) Mathematics [one of Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) or Advanced Functions (MHF4U)]	1 grade 12 English U/M course (ENG 4U) 2 grade 12 4U/M Math courses 3 other grade 12 U/M courses Statement of Interest and Portfolio A minimum overall average of 75% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses +1 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 or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 more on the program page
More than marks?supplementary application	Yes Non-academic requirements: Portfolio Usually closes before January 15	Yes In addition to meeting the academic requirements below, applicants must submit: A portfolio to demonstrate their creativity and skills A statement of interest (500-1000 words) to explain their interest in architecture as well as their choice of Laurentian University/McEwen School of Architecture 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	Marks only
Co-op	Available	Available	Available	Available
Degree	—	—	—	Bachelor of Applied Science, BASc, Bachelor of Engineering (Co-op), BEng (Co-op), Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science, BSc/BASc
First-year intakewhere published	135	—	94	30
What you study	Architecture Design	Architecture	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Design General or Integrated Engineering	Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Interdisciplinary Studies Mechanical Engineering
What it is	Architectural Science is the study of how buildings work technically and functionally—covering structure, systems, materials, and design—rather than architecture as pure art. The co-op option lets you work at real firms alongside your studies, giving you paid work experience in the field. This program suits students who want to understand the practical side of building design and who value hands-on learning in an actual workplace.	Architectural Studies teaches you how to design buildings and spaces, from sketching initial ideas to understanding how they're built and function. This program includes paid work terms where you apply what you're learning at real architecture firms alongside your classroom studies. It suits students who combine creative design thinking with interest in how buildings work technically and who want practical experience before or alongside their formal studies.	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 both mechanical engineering and computer science together over five years, learning to design machines and systems while also programming and working with software and hardware integration. Unlike doing these as separate degrees, you graduate with credentials in both fields and understand how they work together in modern engineering. This suits students who want to bridge mechanical design with computing, or who are drawn to robotics, automation, and intelligent systems.
The door tomajors you reach through it	architecture	architecture	Applied to directly	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	2 published, 0 with no applicationfrom 85%See them	6 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	Toronto Metropolitan University on OUInfo	Laurentian University on OUInfo	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo

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