Ontario Engineering Admission Requirements: Grade 12 Courses and Averages
Chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering lead to different industries, but their Ontario high school prerequisites are usually almost identical. Students who plan early can preserve all three choices until they are ready to apply. Students who miss one required course may become ineligible for many engineering programs, even with a strong overall average.
The five-course engineering core
Most Ontario engineering programs require ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U. These five courses normally form most of the admission average, along with one additional Grade 12 U or M course.
Choose a discipline, but keep the common foundation
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| Discipline | What it studies | Helpful Grade 12 strengths | Sample published ranges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | Processes that transform materials, energy, food, water, pharmaceuticals and chemicals. | Chemistry, calculus, physics, careful quantitative reasoning. | Waterloo: mid to high 80s. TMU: mid 80s. |
| Electrical Engineering | Circuits, electronics, power systems, communications, controls and embedded technology. | Physics, calculus, functions, logical problem solving and often programming. | Waterloo: low to mid 90s. TMU: high 80s. |
| Mechanical Engineering | Machines, energy systems, manufacturing, materials, robotics, vehicles and product design. | Physics, calculus, functions, spatial reasoning and design thinking. | Waterloo: high 80s to low 90s. TMU: high 80s. |
The ranges in this table are examples from two universities, not province-wide cut-offs. Admission levels change each year.
The OSSD courses engineering applicants need
| Course | Role in engineering admission and preparation |
|---|---|
| ENG4U, English | Required by the sample institutions. Engineers must communicate technical information, write reports and explain design decisions. |
| MHF4U, Advanced Functions | Builds the algebraic and trigonometric skills needed for calculus, physics and first year engineering mathematics. |
| MCV4U, Calculus and Vectors | Required by Waterloo, TMU and Conestoga. MHF4U must normally be completed before or at the same time. |
| SCH4U, Chemistry | Required for all three disciplines at the sample institutions, not only Chemical Engineering. |
| SPH4U, Physics | Required for all three disciplines. Mechanics, electricity, energy and waves support first year engineering courses. |
| One additional Grade 12 U or M course | Completes the six-course admission set. Choose a course that supports a strong average without weakening time available for the five prerequisites. |
Two universities and one Ontario college compared
The examples show how the same five prerequisite courses can lead to very different grade expectations and application processes.
| Institution and program | Required OSSD courses | Published grades | Other factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Waterloo Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering | Six Grade 12 U or M courses including ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U. A minimum final grade of 70% is required in each prerequisite. | Chemical: mid to high 80s. Electrical: low to mid 90s. Mechanical: high 80s to low 90s. | Waterloo assesses grades, mandatory Admission Information Form responses and online interview submissions. |
| Toronto Metropolitan University Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering | OSSD, six Grade 12 U or M courses, and ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U. Minimum 70% in each prerequisite and minimum 70% overall for consideration. | Chemical: mid 80s. Electrical: high 80s. Mechanical: high 80s. | These are grades-only programs. The average required can rise because of competition. |
| Conestoga College Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Systems Engineering | Six Grade 12 courses with a minimum cumulative average of 65%. Required: ENG4U, SCH4U, SPH4U, MCV4U, one of MHF4U or MDM4U, and one other U or M course. | Minimum cumulative average: 65%. Conestoga states that higher averages are often required because spaces are competitive. | This is a CEAB-accredited bachelor degree offered by an Ontario college. Conestoga also offers Electronic Systems Engineering for students interested in electronics and embedded systems. |
What the grade ranges mean
A 70% prerequisite minimum does not mean a 70% applicant is competitive. At Waterloo, the five prerequisites and one additional U or M course form the engineering admission average, and the faculty also reviews supplementary information. At TMU, the programs are grades-only, but recent admission ranges are well above the basic 70% eligibility level.
ROA grade targets for planning
A practical target is high 80s for Chemical Engineering, about 90% or higher for Mechanical Engineering, and low 90s or higher for highly competitive Electrical Engineering options. These are planning targets based on the sample programs, not guarantees.
Students should also aim to keep every prerequisite above the institution minimum. One 68% mark can make an applicant ineligible at a program that requires 70% in each course, even when the top six average is much higher.
College engineering degrees and professional accreditation
Ontario colleges can offer bachelor degrees in engineering. Conestoga’s Mechanical Systems Engineering and Electronic Systems Engineering programs are examples. These are not engineering technician or engineering technology diplomas. They are bachelor degrees with applied, project-based learning.
Students who may want to become professional engineers should verify accreditation for the exact program and graduation year through Engineers Canada’s accredited program list. Accreditation is program-specific. A program that uses the word engineering in its title is not automatically equivalent to an accredited Bachelor of Engineering.
College degree choices do not always match traditional university disciplines one for one. Conestoga’s Mechanical Systems degree aligns well with mechanical interests. Its Electronic Systems and Power Systems degrees may appeal to students interested in electrical fields. Students seeking Chemical Engineering should compare direct-entry university programs, as well as college technology diplomas and transfer pathways.
How to build a strong Grade 12 engineering schedule
- Finish the Grade 11 prerequisites early. Students normally need MCR3U, SCH3U and SPH3U before the corresponding Grade 12 courses.
- Grade 11 readiness matters because Grade 12 engineering prerequisites move quickly. Students should enter MHF4U with reliable algebra and trigonometry skills, and they should be comfortable rearranging formulas, working with units and interpreting graphs before starting SCH4U or SPH4U. Reviewing weak areas early can protect both understanding and the admission average.
- Do not place all difficult courses in one short period. Balance the schedule so that calculus, physics and chemistry each receive enough weekly study time.
- Complete MHF4U before or with MCV4U. Even where a college lists MDM4U as an accepted second mathematics course, MHF4U remains the safer plan because it supports MCV4U and most university engineering options.
- Protect the sixth course. Choose an additional U or M course in which you can demonstrate strong achievement. Engineering admission averages are often calculated from the five prerequisites plus the next highest eligible course.
- Plan application work. Waterloo applicants need time to complete supplementary questions. Students should keep records of employment, volunteering, technical projects, sports, arts, leadership and other sustained commitments.
What helps beyond the required courses
- Programming experience can be useful for Electrical Engineering and modern Mechanical Engineering, even when it is not a formal prerequisite.
- Design teams, robotics, repair projects, science clubs, part-time work and community activities can demonstrate persistence and problem solving.
- Clear written reflection matters for supplementary applications. Describe what you did, what challenge you faced, what you learned and how you improved.
- Strong study habits matter more than rushing. Engineering courses build quickly on algebra, trigonometry, calculus, forces, energy and chemical principles.
Common engineering admission mistakes
- Assuming Chemistry is only required for Chemical Engineering.
- Meeting the top six average but falling below a prerequisite course minimum.
- Using a published minimum as the target instead of reviewing the competitive range.
- Ignoring supplementary application deadlines and preparation.
- Comparing an accredited engineering degree with a diploma without checking the credential and professional pathway.
Frequently asked questions about engineering admission
Can I apply to engineering without SPH4U?
Not to the sample Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering programs. Waterloo, Toronto Metropolitan University and Conestoga require SPH4U, Grade 12 Physics for the engineering programs compared in this guide.
Is SCH4U required for Electrical and Mechanical Engineering?
Yes, at the sample institutions. Students should not drop SCH4U, Grade 12 Chemistry simply because their preferred discipline is Electrical or Mechanical Engineering. Chemistry is a required prerequisite for the programs compared in this guide.
Does a 70% minimum mean I can enter engineering with a 70% average?
Usually not for competitive university engineering programs. A minimum grade establishes eligibility for consideration, but it does not guarantee admission. Recent published admission ranges at Waterloo and Toronto Metropolitan University have been considerably higher than 70%.
Can an Ontario college award an accredited engineering degree?
Yes. Ontario colleges can award Bachelor of Engineering degrees. Conestoga offers accredited engineering degree programs. Students should verify the accreditation status of the exact program and graduation year using the Engineers Canada accredited program list.
Plan your engineering prerequisites with ROA
Students can review ROA’s online ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U, SCH4U and SPH4U course pages, then use the ROA university application guide and college application guide to organize next steps.
The independent Royal Ontario Academy profile on Our Kids and verified ROA reviews provide perspectives from students, alumni and a family member. Reviewers have highlighted flexibility, supportive teachers, responsiveness and the ability to balance online learning with other commitments.
Final reminder: Engineering admission requirements and ranges can change. Verify the official program page, prerequisite minimums, supplementary requirements and accreditation before applying.
Official links and planning resources
- Waterloo Engineering admission requirements Current prerequisite and competitive average table.
- Waterloo Chemical Engineering Official program page.
- Waterloo Electrical Engineering Official program page.
- Waterloo Mechanical Engineering Official program page.
- TMU Chemical Engineering Official program and admission page.
- TMU Electrical Engineering Official program and admission page.
- TMU Mechanical Engineering Official program and admission page.
- Conestoga Mechanical Systems Engineering Official college bachelor degree admission page.
- Conestoga Electronic Systems Engineering Official college bachelor degree admission page.
- Engineers Canada accredited programs Check accreditation for the exact program.