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.

	Waterloo Architectural Engineering (Co-op only) OUAC WEA Remove	OCAD Industrial Design OUAC HID Remove	McMaster Engineering I - Discovery Track OUAC MED Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	83–90%“Mid- to High 80s”	Not published“N/A”	87%“A minimum of 87% is required for consideration. Admission is by selection.”Admission by selection — the real bar may sit above this
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	ENG4U	ENG4U MCV4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	—
Prerequisitesas published	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	OSSD with an overall academic average of at least 70% in six 4U/M courses, including English 4U with a minimum final grade of 70%	English 4U Calculus & Vectors 4U Chemistry 4U Physics 4U
More than marks?supplementary application	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 Admission is based primarily on your portfolio assessment. All offers of admission are conditional on meeting the minimum academic requirements. Alternative Offers There are no alternative offers. Usually closes before January 15	Yes OUAC application deadline: January 15, 2027 Mandatory supplementary application Usually closes before January 15
Co-op	Available	No	Available
Degree	—	—	Bachelor of Engineering, BEng, Bachelor of Engineering and Management, BEng&Mgt, Bachelor of Engineering and Society, BEngSoc
First-year intakewhere published	90	—	—
What you study	ArchitectureBuildingCivil Engineering Design	Computer Games Design General or Integrated Engineering Information Systems	Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Electronic & Electrical Engineering General or Integrated Engineering
What it is	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.	Industrial design is the practice of creating products and objects that people use every day — from furniture and tools to consumer electronics — by combining aesthetics, function, and how they're actually made. You'll learn to sketch, model, and prototype while understanding materials, manufacturing, and user needs. This program suits people who enjoy solving practical problems visually and want to bridge the gap between art and engineering.	Engineering I – Discovery Track lets you explore multiple engineering specializations during your first year before committing to a specific stream like chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, or software engineering. You can also choose to combine engineering with management or social studies. The co-op option means you'll alternate between classroom and paid work terms, giving you real experience in the field while studying.
The door tomajors you reach through it	Applied to directly	Applied to directly	engineering
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	None published by average	5 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	OCAD University on OUInfo	McMaster University 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.