About
History
- Founded in 1887 in Toronto by Senator William McMaster.
- Relocated from Toronto to Hamilton in 1930.
- Today, we boast a population of over 37,000 students.
- We have over 227,000 alumni representing 147 countries, including 4 Nobel laureates and 34 Olympians.
The Campus
- Located in Hamilton, Ontario, about a 45-minute drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls and the United States border. The fifth-largest city in Ontario and tenth-largest city in Canada, Hamilton is a multicultural city and an urban, industrial and artistic centre.
- Our campus is over 300 acres of mostly green space, bordered by the Royal Botanical Gardens and Cootes Paradise, a wild bird sanctuary. All our buildings are within a 30-acre, pedestrian-friendly central core.
What Makes Us Special
- A research-intensive, student-centred university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being.
- 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings: 4th in Canada, 85th in the world.
- The McMaster Model, a problem-based and student-centred approach to learning, has been adopted worldwide.
- Home to more than 60 research centres and institutes.
- More than 70 international exchange agreements.
Programs
We have 25 direct-entry undergraduate programs across 6 faculties.
You can also visit the following websites for specific information about each program:
Key Dates
Admission Points
Most of our programs are available for fall admission only. If you are completing your high school diploma in May or June, apply for fall admission instead of spring or summer.
Full-time: September only (fall/winter term)
Part-time: September (fall/winter term) or May and June (spring/summer term)
If you wish to study at McMaster on a part-time basis only, apply and then simply register for a reduced number of courses after admission.
Note: Not all programs are available to be completed on a part-time basis.
January (winter) admission is only available for the Bachelor of Technology Degree Completion (above Level I) program.
International applicants who study in Canada under a study permit must be enrolled at McMaster University in full-time study only.
About Deadlines
We have several highly competitive, by-selection programs that require a mandatory supplementary application or assessment.
A by-selection program is a program for which we consider a mandatory supplementary application, audition or creative submission in addition to your grades. These programs have early application and supplementary submission deadlines, as specified in the table in this section.
All programs have enrollment limits and may become full prior to the published deadlines. We recommend that you complete your application and/or amendments well before the deadlines.
We reserve the right not to accept, process or adjudicate applications or any amendments for any program at any time.
Although the deadlines listed in this application guide were correct at the time of publishing, you should confirm specific deadlines for supplementary applications.
Application and Mandatory Supplementary Application Deadlines
| Program | Application Deadline | Mandatory Supplementary Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Actuarial & Financial Mathematics – Science – BSc Honours (Above Level I) Regular and Co-op Programs | April 1, 2025 | May 8, 2025 Actuarial & Financial Mathematics (Above Level I) Regular and Co-op Programs |
| Arts & Science I (Honours) | January 15, 2025 | February 1, 2025, 11:59 pm (ET) Arts & Science I (Honours) supplementary application |
| Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization Program (Above Level II) | February 1, 2025 | February 1, 2025 Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization supplementary application |
| BTech Automation Systems Engineering Technology I (Co-op) BTech Automotive and Vehicle Engineering Technology I (Co-op) BTech Biotechnology I (Co-op) | January 15, 2025 | January 30, 2025, noon (ET) Faculty of Engineering supplementary application |
| BTech Degree Completion (Above Level I) | November 1, 2024 (January intake) March 1, 2025 (May intake) July 1, 2025 (September intake) | No supplementary application required. Required supporting document submission deadlines: January intake – November 15 May intake – March 15 September intake – July 15 |
| Computer Science I Computer Science I (Co-op) | January 15, 2025 | January 30, 2025, noon (ET) Faculty of Engineering supplementary application |
| Computer Science – BASc Honours (Above Level I) Computer Science (Co-op) – BASc Honours (Above Level I) | April 1, 2025 | April 18, 2025 Faculty of Engineering supplementary application |
| Engineering I Engineering I (Co-op) | January 15, 2025 | January 30, 2025, noon (ET) Faculty of Engineering supplementary application |
| Engineering (Above Level I) Engineering (Co-op) (Above Level I) Engineering & Management (Above Level I) Engineering & Management (Co-op) (Above Level I) Engineering & Society (Above Level I) Engineering & Society (Co-op) (Above Level I) | April 1, 2025 | April 18, 2025 Faculty of Engineering supplementary application |
| Honours Biology and Pharmacology (Above Level II) (Co-op) | January 17, 2025 | February 1, 2025 You must upload a mandatory resumé and letter of intent (specifying reasons for applying and your suitability for the program) to your McMaster Applicant Portal by February 1, 2025. Honours Biology and Pharmacology Program |
| Honours Health Sciences I | January 15, 2025 | Early February 2025 You will receive an email from the Honours Health Sciences Program with details on how to access the mandatory supplementary application. The supplementary application questions will be available on the Honours Health Sciences Program website in September 2024. Refer to the website for any updates to the supplementary application process. |
| Honours Health Sciences (Above Level I) | April 1, 2025 | Early May 2025 Note: Currently registered university transfer applicants must submit official final transcripts for the current academic year by June 1, 2025, to be considered for admission to this program. You will receive an email from Honours Health Sciences Program with details on how to access the mandatory supplementary application. The supplementary application questions will be available on the Honours Health Sciences Program website in September 2024. Refer to the website for any updates to the supplementary application process. |
| Honours Integrated Science | January 15, 2025 | February 3, 2025, noon (ET) Honours Integrated Science supplementary application |
| Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I (iBioMed) Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I (iBioMed) (Co-op) | January 15, 2025 | January 30, 2025, noon (ET) Faculty of Engineering supplementary application |
| Integrated Business & Humanities I (IBH) | January 15, 2025 | February 3, 2025 IBH supplemental application |
| Justice, Political Philosophy & Law – Humanities – BA Honours (Above Level I) | April 1, 2025 | April 30, 2025 Justice, Political Philosophy & Law Program |
| Midwifery | January 15, 2025 Note: You must complete all prerequisite subjects by the application deadline. | You must complete Casper on one of the dates listed on the Acuity Insights website. You must complete the Identity and Admissions Survey by February 1, 2025. High school applicants: The corresponding Grade 11 subjects for prerequisite subjects must be included in the Grade 12 transcript to be submitted to the University by February 1, 2025, if you are completing the corresponding Grade 12 subject in the second semester. |
| Nursing I | January 15, 2025 (Group A applicants) February 1, 2025 (Group B applicants) | You must complete Casper on one of the dates listed on the Acuity Insights website. In addition, you must have completed or already registered for any prerequisite subjects by February 1, 2025. |
| Nursing Accelerated Stream (Above Level I) | February 1, 2025 | You must complete Casper on one of the dates listed on the Acuity Insights website. In addition, you must have completed or already registered for any prerequisite subjects by February 1, 2025. |
| Nursing: Post-Diploma RPN to BScN Stream (Mohawk) | February 1, 2025 | You must complete Casper on one of the dates listed on the Acuity Insights website. In addition, you must have completed or already registered for any prerequisite subjects by February 1, 2025. |
| Physician Assistant Education Program (Above Level I) | January 15, 2025 Note: Official transcripts must be submitted and received by McMaster by February 1, 2025. | To be completed at the end of February 2025. The supplementary application will be released by February 21 and must be completed by noon (ET) on February 27, 2025. Physician Assistant Program |
| Social Work – Honours BSW (Above Level I) | January 15, 2025 | February 1, 2025 School of Social Work Supplementary Application and Personal Statement (Post Degree) |
| Social Work – Post Degree (Above Level I) | January 15, 2025 | February 1, 2025 School of Social Work Supplementary Application and Personal Statement (Post Degree) |
| Wilson College Leadership & Civic Studies I (WCLCS) | January 15, 2025 | February 3, 2025, 11:59 pm (ET) Wilson College of Leadership & Civic Engagement |
Admission Requirements
Every program at McMaster University has its own set of admission criteria, including course requirements and admission averages. Before you apply, it is your responsibility to research the admission requirements for your program(s) of interest.
Additional Admission Requirements
When you apply, use a valid and unique email address that only you can access. Do not use an email of a parent or counsellor. We use email to communicate important information and admission decisions.
Make McMaster a safe sender to ensure our messages are not marked as spam.
Supporting Documents
We must receive all relevant documentation before we will consider your application.
Many of our programs may become full before the published deadlines. We will stop making offers of admission if this happens, regardless of your qualifications.
It is critical that you apply and submit any necessary documentation well before the published deadlines.
Submitting Documents
After you apply, we will send you an email acknowledgement with instructions on how to access your McMaster Applicant Portal and how to submit any additional documentation required for admission consideration. You will be able to view all requirements for your application and track your status.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts may be used for the initial review and admission decision purposes. If you are granted a conditional offer of admission and decide to accept that offer, we will require final official transcripts at that time.
We will communicate any additional requirements after we receive your application. Check your McMaster Applicant Portal frequently for any changes in your required checklist items.
Language Requirements
The language of instruction at McMaster University is English. Students must present an acceptable score on one of the English-language proficiency tests that we recognize.
At our discretion, you may be exempted from our English-language proficiency testing requirements (exemption is not automatic).
We may challenge any test scores that may be suspicious or inaccurate and may require you to take another test of our choosing for English-language proficiency.
McMaster English Language Development (MELD) Diploma
If you meet the academic requirements for one of our undergraduate programs but do not meet the minimum English-language proficiency scores, you may wish to consider applying to the MELD program in your OUAC Undergraduate application. Acceptance into the 1-year (2 academic terms) MELD program includes a conditional offer of admission to an undergraduate program.
Summer Transition through English Prep (STEP)
The STEP program is an intensive 6-week academic English bridging program designed for students who wish to pursue their undergraduate studies and almost meet our language proficiency requirements.
During the STEP program that runs from July to August 2025, you will develop the academic English skills necessary for a successful transition in September 2025 into your first-year undergraduate program.
Apply to the MELD program in your OUAC Undergraduate application if you are interested in STEP. Applicants with qualifying English-language proficiency tests will receive an invitation to STEP.
Supplementary Applications
McMaster has a number of limited enrollment, by-selection programs with mandatory supplementary applications. A by-selection program is a program for which we consider a mandatory supplementary application, interview or creative submission in addition to your grades.
Refer to the Application and Mandatory Supplementary Application table for more information on our by-selection programs.
Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Aid
Entrance awards are available if you:
- are entering Level I of a first baccalaureate degree program,
- have graduated from high school and
- have not attended a postsecondary institution.
We offer many in-course scholarships for students enrolled in programs above Level I.
Note: Some eligibility restrictions apply.
Applicants to the Nursing Collaborative program (Mohawk) will be considered for aid and awards at Mohawk College.
Offers of Admission
All programs at McMaster University have enrollment limits and admission is at our discretion. Meeting minimum requirements for any program does not guarantee admission.
Admission Process Timeline for Group A Applicants
First Round of Offers: Late February to Early March
- Based on available 4U/M grades as of the end of first semester.
- We require a minimum of 3 courses with final grades or 6 courses with midterm grades and registration in any remaining required courses (for a minimum of 6 enrolled courses).
- Some by-selection programs (Arts & Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Honours Integrated Science, Nursing and Midwifery) will not make offers during this first round.
Second Round of Offers: Late April to Early May
- Based on six 4U/M course grades available as of the second semester midterms, including all required courses.
- By-selection programs previously noted will make their offers of admission at this time based on a combination of grades and supplementary application review.
- The Midwifery program reviews final academic course results posted to the OUAC as of February 1, 2025. If you are in high school full time, you may apply if your Grade 12 prerequisite subjects are in progress. Grade 11 prerequisite(s) must have been completed so that we can make a preliminary assessment.
- All other programs: If you were not eligible for an offer of admission in March, we will consider you for admission upon receipt of second semester midterm grades from your schools via the OUAC. Offers of admission will be based on official grade data reported through the OUAC and received by McMaster University by May 15, 2025.
Note: We make most of our offers during the first and second round as noted in this section. Additional offers are made on a rolling basis, unless otherwise stated.
All Group A applicants applicants will receive a decision from us by May 29, 2025.
Admission Process Timeline for High School Students Outside of Ontario
We must receive all relevant documentation before we will consider your application.
Decision processing can take between 4 and 6 weeks after we receive and process all required documentation.
Offers are made on a rolling basis.
- Some by-selection programs (Arts & Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Honours Integrated Science, Nursing and Midwifery) will not make offers until late April or early May.
- At minimum, we require first semester interim grades and proof of registration in second semester courses.
- A minimum of 3 Grade 12 courses with interim or final grades and registration in any remaining required courses must be provided before an offer will be communicated.
- Note: Midwifery will replace any missing required course grades with equivalent Grade 11 grades to calculate an average that we will use to determine invitation to interview.
- All courses related to offers of admission must be completed by June 30, 2025.
- While you await an admission decision, you are encouraged to submit updated transcripts as more grade information becomes available throughout the school year.
Admission Process Timeline for College or University Transfer Students
We must receive all relevant documentation before we will consider your application.
Decision processing can take between 4 and 6 weeks after we receive and process all required documentation.
Decisions for most programs are released starting in early May with some programs releasing decisions as early as March. Be sure to visit the website of your program of interest to learn more about the timing of offers.
Spaces can be very limited in upper-year programs. Some programs will require both your fall and winter term final grades before making decisions for college or university transfer students.
Many of our programs may become full before the published deadlines. We will stop making offers of admission if this happens, regardless of your qualifications.
It is critical that you apply and submit any necessary documentation well before the published deadlines.
Application Choices and Alternate Offers
McMaster does not automatically make alternate offers of admission.
Group A applicants:
- You will be reviewed for all program choices.
Group B applicants:
- If you select more than 1 McMaster program, you will be reviewed for the highest-choice program.
- Should you be ineligible for your highest-choice, subsequent program choices will be reviewed in the order of ranked preference.
- Any by-selection programs you choose, regardless of choice order, will be reviewed.
Admission Deferrals
We will review written requests to defer enrollment for a maximum of 1 year.
Accessibility Services
- The Student Success Centre provides you with academic and development support, including understanding academic expectations, developing academic skills and workshops to help you start your career.
- The Student Accessibility Services Office provides support for students with disabilities, including learning strategies, assistive technologies and classroom accommodations.
- The International and Exchange Student Experience team provides support to incoming and current international students, including immigration advising, success coaching and peer-to-peer support programs.
- The Student Wellness Centre is available to all McMaster students. Services include medical and health services, and personal, psychological and academic counselling.
- The Student Case Management Office provides support to students who may be experiencing difficulty on campus, including resources to manage issues, crisis prevention and intervention for students.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Equity and Inclusion Office (EIO)
The EIO promotes and supports institution-wide commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and principles of inclusive excellence, to foster a campus culture and community that respect the human rights, integrity and dignity of all community members.
Black Student Success Centre
The Black Student Success Centre is dedicated to supporting and championing the holistic (academic, personal and professional) success and overall well-being of Black and African descent students and fostering a positive Black student and athlete experience. The Centre is a safe space where students can meet, share, socialize and access specialized support and services.
Integrated Science Equitable Admissions for Black Applicants (EABA)
The Integrated Science EABA process aims to reduce barriers that may discourage Black-identifying applicants from applying to the Honours Integrated Science I Program, and to enhance accessibility and inclusiveness for Black-identified learners.
If you elect to use the Integrated Science EABA process, you must apply for admission through normal processes. You will have the opportunity to self-identify for the EABA when you submit your mandatory supplementary application. You must meet the same minimum academic criteria for admission as the general pool of candidates.
Honours Health Sciences Equitable Admissions for Black Applicants (EABA)
The Honours Health Sciences EABA process aims to reduce barriers that may discourage Black-identifying applicants from applying to the Honours Health Sciences Program, and to mitigate the potential for unconscious bias to influence evaluation of Supplementary Applications.
If you elect to use the Honours Health Sciences EABA process, you must apply for admission through normal processes. You will have the opportunity to self-identify for the EABA when you submit your mandatory supplementary application. You must meet the same minimum academic criteria for admission as the general pool of candidates.
Midwifery Facilitated Black Admission Process (FBAP)
The Midwifery FBAP aims to offer a process that will remove barriers and facilitate equitable access during each step of the admission cycle for applicants who self-identify as Black.
If you elect to use the Midwifery FBAP, you must apply for admission through normal processes. You will have the opportunity to self-identify for the FBAP when you submit your mandatory supplementary application online survey. You must meet the same minimum academic criteria for admission as the general pool of candidates.
Indigenous Student Services (ISS)
ISS provides and connects Indigenous learners to the supports they need to achieve their academic goals. Facilities include a student lounge, outdoor medicine garden, study space, elders lounge and a kitchen for students to use.
Indigenous applicants are strongly encouraged to self-identify in the OUAC Undergraduate application to benefit from the support of the ISS staff throughout the application and registration processes.
Indigenous Health Learning Lodge
The Indigenous Health Learning Lodge works alongside the Faculty of Health Sciences and is dedicated to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis students as they prepare for, transition to, and navigate life at McMaster.
With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences have a Facilitated Indigenous Admissions Program (FIAP).
This process is intended to provide equitable access to Indigenous applicants and aligns with the intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
Access Program
The Access Program connects equity-deserving students and those from historically under-represented backgrounds with information and supports to set them up for success in university. Once you are here, we will work with you to ensure you have everything you need in your university experience.
Residence
On-campus residence spaces are available for Level I applicants applying directly from high school. Eligibility may vary.
Applicants to the Nursing Collaborative Program at Mohawk College are not eligible for McMaster on-campus residence. Visit the college website to learn more about residence options.
Campus Tours and Events
Come take a tour! Join us in-person or virtually for a campus tour. In-person tours are led by current McMaster students as your guide, last about 90 minutes and encompass the entire campus, including a visit to at least 1 residence building.
We also have special visit days at McMaster including our Fall Preview and May @ Mac University-wide open house event.
Contact
McMaster University
Office of the Registrar, Admissions Office
Togo Salmon Hall 111
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton ON L8S 4M2