Lakehead University Engineering admission requirements: the 70% minimum, courses, the degree plus diploma and co-op

Lakehead offers Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics and Software Engineering. All six use OUAC code AM. Chemical, Civil and Mechanical are in Thunder Bay only. Electrical, Mechatronics and Software are offered in Thunder Bay and at the Barrie STEM Hub.

Unlike schools with a general first year, Lakehead has you start in your chosen discipline. The Mechanical page, for example, lists a set of 11 first year courses in engineering basics, math and technical writing. Pick your program with care, and ask Lakehead how easy it is to switch if you change your mind.

Every program needs six Grade 12 U or M courses, including English (ENG4U), Advanced Functions (MHF4U) with at least 60%, and Physics (SPH4U). Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Mechatronics also need Chemistry (SCH4U). Software Engineering needs one of Biology (SBI4U), Chemistry (SCH4U) or Computer Science (ICS4U) instead.

Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) is not required, but the Electrical page strongly recommends it. Engineering first year is heavy on calculus, so take it if you can. Plan your year with our course planner.

The program pages list a minimum overall average of 70%. Lakehead adds that the average can be higher if a program is competitive or demand is high. Lakehead does not publish a separate cut off or an Engineering acceptance rate. Our Lakehead acceptance rate page covers what the school shares.

Do not forget the 60% floor in MHF4U. A strong overall average will not make up for a low Advanced Functions mark. Check where you stand with our Top 6 average calculator.

Lakehead's Thunder Bay programs lead to a Bachelor of Engineering and a Diploma in Engineering Technology in four years. Lakehead says this mix gives you both theory and hands on skills. Lakehead says all Bachelor of Engineering programs at the Thunder Bay campus are accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, which is the usual route to becoming a licensed engineer. The pages we checked do not say the same for Barrie, so Barrie students should confirm accreditation status with Lakehead.

Lakehead also offers a five year Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Business Administration option in programs such as Mechanical and Software. Mechatronics puts sustainability at its core and adds business, law and public safety topics.

Here is the first year list on the Mechanical Engineering page. It includes Introduction to Engineering Design, Statics, Dynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Materials and Processes, Mechanical Engineering and Drawing, and Electrical and Electronics Technology. The math is Vectors and Matrices plus two Calculus for Engineers courses. You also take Professional and Technical Communications and a computer programming course.

That is a lot of math and physics in one year. Students who skipped MCV4U often find Calculus for Engineers the hardest jump, which is why the Electrical page recommends it. Other disciplines have their own lists, so read the page for the program you choose.

Lakehead notes that college students who enter through a transfer pathway do not have to meet these high school course rules. If your marks fall short now, a college engineering technology diploma followed by a transfer is a real second route.

A co-op or internship option is available in all Engineering programs. You can apply for it when you apply to Lakehead, or later in second or third year. Students in the option build at least 16 months of paid, practical work experience.

This flexibility is helpful. If you are not sure about co-op in Grade 12, you can still join later, after you have seen how first year goes and which field you like most. Ask Lakehead about co-op fees and how the work terms change your graduation date.

The recommended deadline for Ontario high school students is January 15, 2027. For international applicants it is March 1, 2027. Lakehead says most programs still accept applications after these dates if space remains, but applying on time is safer.

Scholarship rounds also run on dates. Lakehead calculates entrance scholarships in March, May and July, based on transcripts it has by February, April and July. Compare dates on our Ontario university application deadlines page.

For 2026-27, first year Engineering tuition for a Canadian or permanent resident from Ontario is $10,285.82. The Mechanical page shows lower figures for later years: $7,416.65 in year 2, $7,141.95 in year 3 and $6,893.33 in year 4.

International students pay $42,000.00 in first year tuition. Ancillary fees are $1,742.38 in Thunder Bay or $1,242.45 at the Barrie STEM Hub. International students also pay for the University Health Insurance Plan.

Lakehead gives automatic Academic Entrance Scholarships to students coming straight from a Canadian high school. For Fall 2027 entry, the early rounds in March and May pay $16,000 over four years at 95% or higher, $10,000 at 90 to 94.9%, $5,000 at 85 to 89.9% and $3,000 at 80 to 84.9%. In the final July round, the 95% tier is listed as free tuition for four years, with conditions in the page's footnotes.

These awards can renew if you keep the required 80% or 90% average each year and a full course load. The Presidential Scholarship needs an application, which opens October 1 and closes April 25.

Lakehead guarantees residence on its Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses to all high school students who apply before June 1. The Barrie STEM Hub is not named in that guarantee, so families choosing Barrie should ask about housing early.

For parents: Lakehead is one of the more open engineering schools in Ontario, with a 70% floor and very large automatic scholarships at 80% and up. The key checks are the 60% MHF4U mark and Physics and Chemistry. Read our Lakehead guide and compare schools on our engineering requirements across Canada page.