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 Software Engineering (Co-op Only) OUAC WSO Remove	Carleton Engineering – Software OUAC CES Remove	Ottawa Computer Engineering (4 years) OUAC OBE Remove
Your average, their wayrequired courses forced in
Published rangetheir exact wording	90–97%“Low- to mid-90s”	75–80%“75–80% (regular and co-op)”	80%
Required coursesforced into your top 6 — options are the row below	ENG4U MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U	MCV4U MHF4U SCH4U SPH4U
Choose one ofany of these satisfies it	—	—	one of ENG4U, FRA4U
Prerequisitesas published	English (ENG4U – min. 70%) Advanced Functions (min. 70%) Calculus and Vectors (min. 70%) Chemistry (min. 70%) Physics (min. 70%)	Advanced Functions (MHF4U) Calculus (MCV4U) Chemistry (SCH4U) Physics (SPH4U) 2 best 4U/M courses +3 more on the program page	ENG4U or FRA4U MHF4U MCV4U SPH4U SCH4U +2 more on the program page
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. Experience in developing well-structured, modular programs is required, as demonstrated by at least 1 of the following: strong performance in a programming course such as ICS3U, ICS4U or equivalent; strong performance in a programming contest; significant work experience; other (must be explained on the Admission Information Form). Usually closes before January 15	Marks only	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	127	—	88
What you study	Artificial Intelligence Computer Science Information Systems Information Technology	Artificial Intelligence Computer Engineering Software Engineering	Computer Engineering Computer Science General or Integrated Engineering Software Engineering
What it is	You study how to design, build, and maintain large software systems using engineering principles and mathematics. This co-op stream requires you to alternate between classroom terms and paid work terms in industry, giving you real project experience alongside your degree. It suits people who want hands-on experience, enjoy problem-solving with code, and are ready to balance school with regular full-time work placements.	You study how to design, build, and maintain software systems and applications, from the coding and logic to the architecture that makes programs run. This program includes hands-on projects in artificial intelligence and computer engineering alongside core software development. The co-op placement is required, meaning you alternate between classroom terms and paid work terms at companies, giving you real workplace experience before you graduate.	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.
The door tomajors you reach through it	software engineering	software engineering	Applied to directly
Entrance awardsat this campus, by average	4 published, 3 with no applicationfrom 80%See them	16 published, 9 with no applicationfrom 75%See them	22 published, 5 with no applicationfrom 75%See them
Source	University of Waterloo on OUInfo	Carleton University on OUInfo	University of Ottawa on OUInfo

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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.