How to Apply to Engineering at the University of Ottawa: Direct Admission to a Specific Program, 85% for Mechanical and 80% for Most Others, Seven CEAB-Accredited Programs With Optional Co-op, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

The University of Ottawa (uOttawa) is in Canada’s capital. Undergraduate engineering is taught by the Faculty of Engineering, and the main degree is the Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc). Computer science is also in the Faculty of Engineering and has its own guide on this site, so it is not covered here. This guide follows uOttawa’s website for domestic applicants (Canadian citizens and permanent residents), international applicants, applicants from China and transfer students, for September 2027 entry to English-language programs.

1. Programs, accreditation and how you are admitted

• Programs: biomedical mechanical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical and software engineering, plus Multidisciplinary Design. Most engineering programs also come as dual fast-track degrees with a BSc in Computing Technology (five years, one application), and there are joint programs such as biotechnology and physics with electrical engineering. The regular path is four years, and some programs offer an Engineering Management and Entrepreneurship option.
• You apply directly to a specific program: the admission tool gives each program its own OUAC code and minimum average, for example mechanical OJE, chemical OEE, civil OHE, electrical OIE, computer OBE, software OJA, biomedical mechanical OEC and multidisciplinary design engineering OJG. The pages we read do not describe a common first year or GPA-based allocation after year one. Changing programs after admission uses the “Make changes to your undergraduate program” process (for Winter 2027 the request window is October 1 to November 30, 2026). The GPA needed to move between engineering programs is not stated on those pages; ask the Faculty of Engineering undergraduate office.
• Limited enrolment: computer engineering and software engineering are marked limited enrolment. uOttawa also says most programs in the Faculty of Engineering are competitive, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.
• Accreditation: the accreditation page says the faculty’s undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) and its computer science programs by the Computer Science Accreditation Council. Seven programs are CEAB-accredited: biomedical mechanical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical and software engineering, also recognized under the Washington Accord. Multidisciplinary Design is not on that list. The undergraduate programs page says all programs are accredited, which does not fully match the accreditation page; rely on the accreditation page and confirm with the faculty.
• Co-op: engineering programs offer a co-op option, and co-op is mandatory in software engineering. The sample sequence has work terms in spring/summer of year 2, winter of year 3, and fall and spring/summer of year 4, alternating four-month work and study terms. The pages do not say what work authorization international students need for co-op; ask the co-op office.
• Language: programs are offered in English and French. All courses are available in English; first- and second-year courses and some third-year courses are also offered in French.
• P.Eng.: the accreditation page says an accredited diploma is recognized when you apply to become a licensed professional engineer.

2. Prerequisites and minimum averages

uOttawa stresses that these are minimums, meeting them does not guarantee admission, and they are subject to change. Averages are set per program.

• Minimum admission average (high school, English program): mechanical engineering 85%; chemical, civil, electrical, computer, software and biomedical mechanical engineering 80% (mechanical engineering returns 85% for BC, Ontario, Alberta, high school abroad and the U.S. curriculum; the other programs were checked for BC and high school abroad and return 80%); multidisciplinary design engineering (BASc) is 75% for BC and 80% for high school abroad, and the three-year Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Design is 75%.
• Prerequisites: English, calculus (“mathematics, preferably calculus” for high school abroad), chemistry and physics, with a combined average of at least 70% in the math and science prerequisites. Software engineering differs: English, calculus and one of biology, chemistry or physics, with at least 70% in each; biomedical mechanical engineering adds biology; multidisciplinary design engineering (BC version) needs English, pre-calculus or calculus, and one of biology, chemistry, computer science or physics.
• Ontario: an Ontario secondary school diploma with at least six 4U/4M courses; prerequisites ENG4U (or FRA4U), MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U (software engineering needs only one science). The average uses your top six 4U/4M grades, including prerequisites, and there are three rounds of offers.
• British Columbia: a BC diploma with five Grade 12 courses; prerequisites English 12 or Français 12, Calculus 12, Chemistry 12 and Physics 12; the average uses your five best Grade 12 courses.
• Alberta: English 30 or Français 30, Mathematics 31, Chemistry 30 and Physics 30. Other provinces are in the admission tool.
• Testing: the pages do not require SAT or ACT for Canadian high school applicants.

3. Domestic applicants (Canadian citizens and permanent residents)

• How to apply: most direct-entry programs go through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), with one application for all the Ontario universities you choose. A few cases, such as previous uOttawa students, use uOttawa’s own form and pay a $104 fee. OUAC’s own fee is set by OUAC; we did not visit OUAC.
• Deadlines: for fall 2027, apply by January 15, 2027 and submit documents by February 15 (or within 30 days of applying). Engineering programs do not admit for winter or spring-summer. uOttawa recommends applying before January 15, lists most Engineering programs among the competitive ones, and says most programs close in June for Canadian applicants, earlier if full.
• Tuition (2026-2027, per term, full time, up to 33 units, Mechanical Engineering as an example; tuition only, without ancillary fees): $5,721.69 for Ontario residents and also $5,721.69 for Canadians residing outside Ontario. Other programs are on the fee page. uOttawa notes that Ontario regulates Canadian tuition increases and that fees for Ontario students rise 2% in 2026-2027, with some exceptions.
• Admission scholarships (2027-2028, automatic): the University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship gives full-time students $3,000 (95–100% average), $2,000 (90–94.9%) or $1,000 (85–89.9%). The Faculty of Engineering also lists the Engineering Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Admission Scholarship ($5,000, 35 awards, application required by March 31, with criteria including a qualifying group identity plus community leadership, financial need or an admission average above 92%) and the Memorial Scholarship ($2,000 for seven women, one per engineering program, minimum 80%, letter and résumé required).

4. International applicants

• Applying and deadlines: international applicants also apply through OUAC (uOttawa warns that only the official OUAC form should be used). For engineering, fall 2027 is January 15, 2027 to apply and February 15 for documents. Most programs close to international applicants in May to leave time for study permits. After admission you pay a non-refundable deposit, then receive the provincial attestation letter (PAL) needed for the study permit.
• Prerequisites: high school abroad needs English, mathematics (preferably calculus), chemistry and physics with a combined 70% in math and science; the average uses your five highest results from the final year, including prerequisites. Vocational or technical diplomas are not accepted as a basis for admission.
• English: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall and 6.5 writing (6.0 overall allows you to start with extra ESL courses); TOEFL new scale (after January 21, 2026) 4.5 overall and 4.5 writing, old scale 86 and 22 writing; Duolingo 120. uOttawa publishes a list of countries exempt from the English test, and other exemptions such as IB English A grade 4, GCE A/AS English B or better, AP English 4 and SAT Reading and Writing 550. China is not on the country list.
• Tuition (2026-2027, per term, full time, up to 33 units, Mechanical Engineering as an example): international $31,582.15, slightly lower once cumulative units exceed 132 ($31,529.98 for 132.01–165 units and $30,652.17 above 165). For international students admitted from Fall 2022, annual increases are capped at 7%, and international undergraduate tuition for 2026-2027 is unchanged from 2025-2026.
• Scholarships: the International English Admission Scholarship is automatic for international students with a valid study permit in an English-language program in the Faculty of Engineering and other listed faculties, an admission average of at least 80%, full-time study and no French immersion: $7,500 per term for up to 12 instalments ($60,000 over four years). The International English Academic Excellence Scholarship is $10,000 for 100 students with an average of 95% or higher, and can be combined with the first. International students may also apply for the Engineering EDI and Memorial scholarships.
• International curricula: the IB requires the full diploma (three HL and three SL) with English A, mathematics (Analysis and Approaches SL/HL or Applications and Interpretation HL; Applications SL is not accepted), chemistry and physics. Minimum IB points: chemical and computer engineering 31, civil 33, electrical, software and biomedical mechanical 34, mechanical 36. GCE: at least two A-level subjects and five subjects overall, with a conversion scale for grades. U.S. curriculum: at least five subjects including prerequisites; the GED is not accepted; SAT scores do not count toward the average but may replace a math or science prerequisite.
• Proof of funds: not stated on the pages we read (not published there); check uOttawa’s international applicants page and the Canadian immigration website.

5. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the page for applicants from China says you need the Senior High School Graduation Diploma or Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate and that Huikao and Gaokao results are not considered in admission.
• Grades: a minimum average of 75% across at least five subjects (including prerequisites) in the final year, and higher for engineering. The minimum engineering averages on that page are chemical, civil and electrical 80%; biomedical mechanical and mechanical 83%; computer engineering 87%; software engineering 90% (computer engineering and software engineering are competitive and selected from applicants who list uOttawa among their top three choices). These differ from the admission tool for high school abroad (mechanical 85%, computer and software 80%), so read both and confirm with Admissions.
• Prerequisites: English (the senior-year English prerequisite must be completed), mathematics (preferably calculus), chemistry and physics, with a combined 70%; prerequisites may be taken in high school or at college or university level.
• Documents: transcripts for the last three years of secondary school, English test results and, once graduated, the graduation diploma; if you are still in Senior 3, also the first-term transcript of that year.
• Agents: an agency is not required; if you use one, uOttawa recommends its approved partners and that you keep access to your own application account and email.
• With college or university studies: the average is calculated on those studies; the minimum engineering averages on the China page are chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and biomedical mechanical 75%, computer engineering 82% and software engineering 85%.

6. Transfer students

• From university (average calculated on university courses): English, mathematics (preferably calculus), chemistry and physics are still required, and may be taken in high school or at college or university level. Minimum averages: mechanical 74%, chemical 72%, electrical 71%, computer engineering 73%, biomedical mechanical 72%, software engineering 80% and multidisciplinary design engineering 72%. For civil engineering the tool returned “requirements unavailable”, so it is not published there; ask Admissions. University transfer students cannot receive the uOttawa Admission Scholarship.
• From college (Mechanical Engineering): two years of a college program needs at least 80% and one year 86%; for Québec CÉGEP applicants, 17 or more courses need 80% and 12–16 courses need 86%, with at least 12 CÉGEP courses and professional programs not counted. For other kinds of colleges, the admission tool lists requirements by your institution type.
• Credit: the transfer credits page says that for the Faculty of Engineering, credit for engineering courses is generally not granted at admission; credit may be granted only for courses recognized by another faculty such as Science, and specific engineering courses can be considered through a transfer credit request to the faculty. Computer science can receive up to 30 units; other engineering disciplines get “very limited” credit. The transfer credits page we read lists no college agreements for engineering.
• Deadlines: same as first-year applicants, January 15, 2027 for fall, with documents by February 15.

Checklist

Domestic applicants:

• Apply to your specific program through OUAC by January 15, 2027, with documents by February 15
• Ontario: ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U, SPH4U; BC: English 12, Calculus 12, Chemistry 12, Physics 12; at least 70% combined in math and science; 85% for mechanical and 80% for most other programs

International applicants (including China):

• China: graduation diploma and the last three years of transcripts; uOttawa says Huikao and Gaokao results are not considered; aim above the minimum for your program (80%–90%, see above)
• IELTS 6.5 (writing 6.5), new TOEFL 4.5 (writing 4.5) or Duolingo 120
• International students with an admission average of 80% or higher receive $7,500 per term automatically; confirm co-op work authorization with the university

Transfer students:

• University transfer averages are 71%–80% depending on program; college transfer to mechanical engineering needs 80% or 86%
• Credit for engineering courses is very limited and needs a separate request

Sources: University of Ottawa, Faculty of Engineering undergraduate programs; Mechanical Engineering; Accreditation; Engineering co-op; Program prerequisites, minimum averages and deadlines; Application deadlines; How to apply; Applicants from China; Language requirements; Transfer credits; Make changes to your program; International English scholarships; Admission scholarships; International tuition; Tuition for Canadians. Information is for September 2027 entry to English-language programs; tuition is for 2026-2027 and was checked for Mechanical Engineering only. Check uOttawa for the latest details.