QS World University Rankings 2027 #174 =Times Higher Education 2026 #116 =ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #101-150CWTS Leiden 2025 #173SCImago 2026 #179
Motto: All things cohere in Christ
Colours: Maroon and gray
Mascot: Mac the Marauder
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus sits in the west end of Hamilton, Ontario, next to the Royal Botanical Gardens and about an hour from Toronto.
It enrolled 37,592 students in the 2023-24 count, split between 32,105 undergraduates and 5,487 graduate students, with 6,385 international students making up 17 per cent of the total; the international undergraduate body is drawn heavily from China and India, while the graduate international cohort is led by India, China and Iran. Teaching and research are organised into six faculties - Business (the DeGroote School of Business), Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences - alongside the interdisciplinary Arts & Science Program and the affiliated Divinity College, with graduate work coordinated by the School of Graduate Studies.
The university is closely identified with problem-based, self-directed learning, an approach its Faculty of Health Sciences developed for medical education and later extended to undergraduate programmes such as the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences. Signature offerings include Health Sciences, the five-level Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences stream, the Integrated Business and Humanities commerce degree and the small Arts & Science Program.
Research intensity is high: 1,079 full-time faculty, 85 allocated Canada Research Chairs and roughly $370 million in sponsored research income were reported for the same period.
Undergraduate applications from Ontario are made through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, and the alumni body numbered 244,336 people.
Location & Contact
Geographic and contact information for McMaster University is listed below.
McMaster University's academic profile in numbers is listed below.
Academic Year: September to April, two terms (Fall and Winter), with a Spring/Summer term from May
Recognition: Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario
Admission Requirements: Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses, among them the specific prerequisites for the chosen programme (English U is required almost everywhere, with Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Chemistry and Physics added for Engineering and the science-based programmes). Admission is competitive on the top-six average, and the most selective programmes - Health Sciences, Nursing, Midwifery and iBioMed - also require a supplementary application; the Honours Health Sciences programme additionally requires one non-mathematics, non-science, non-technology course for Level I entry. International applicants present a secondary credential recognised as equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (for example A-Levels, IB Diploma, or a national school-leaving certificate) with the same subject prerequisites, and are assessed against the same competitive averages and supplementary-application requirements. Applicants whose first language is not English must submit an accepted English proficiency test (e.g. IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 86 with minimum 20 per component for tests taken before 21 January 2026) unless exempt through at least four years of full-time study in English.
Total Students: 37,592
Academic Staff Range: 900-999
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Universities Canada (UC)
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (U15)
Academic Structures
McMaster University's academic structure — schools, colleges, and divisions — is listed below.
Unit9 items
Arts & Science Program
DeGroote School of Business
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Social Sciences
McMaster Divinity College
School of Graduate Studies
Programs Offered
McMaster University's programme catalogue is grouped by level below.
International tuition:CAD 5,245/creditLocal tuition:CAD 797/credit
McMaster's Bachelor of Technology programmes, Automation Systems Engineering Technology, Automotive and Vehicle Engineering Technology, and Biotechnology, are direct-entry Faculty of Engineering programmes delivered join...
The Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway is a first-year Faculty of Science entry point letting students explore chemistry- and physics-based disciplines before committing to a specific Level II programme. Ontario applic...
International tuition:CAD 53,003/yearLocal tuition:CAD 9,355/year
Commerce is offered by the DeGroote School of Business. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; the programme page does not itemise its own prere...
International tuition:CAD 59,606/yearLocal tuition:CAD 9,108/year
Computer Science is a Faculty of Science programme. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; McMaster's Admission Requirements Tool sets this prog...
International tuition:CAD 73,515/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,446/year
Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; Engineering's prerequisites follow McMaster's Admission Requirements Tool and typically add Advanced Func...
The Environmental & Earth Sciences Gateway is a first-year Faculty of Science entry point letting students explore environmental- and earth-science disciplines before committing to a specific Level II programme. Ontario...
International tuition:CAD 47,416/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,043/year
Humanities I is a direct-entry Faculty of Humanities programme. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; the programme page does not itemise its o...
iArts is a Level I, direct-entry Bachelor of Fine Arts programme emphasising interdisciplinary creative practice. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M...
International tuition:CAD 73,515/yearLocal tuition:CAD 12,446/year
Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) is a limited-enrolment programme, about 155 seats per year, in the Faculty of Engineering. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary Sch...
International tuition:CAD 64,028/yearLocal tuition:CAD 10,091/year
Integrated Business and Humanities is a joint direct-entry programme between the DeGroote School of Business and the Faculty of Humanities. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma i...
International tuition:CAD 49,912/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,043/year
Honours Arts & Science is a limited-enrolment, interdisciplinary direct-entry programme. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; the programme pa...
International tuition:CAD 47,416/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,043/year
Economics is a Faculty of Social Sciences direct-entry programme. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; the programme page does not itemise its...
International tuition:CAD 47,416/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,043/year
Health and Society is a Faculty of Social Sciences direct-entry programme with an exclusive Level I Inquiry course. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/...
International tuition:CAD 56,718/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,043/year
Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; McMaster's Admission Requirements Tool sets this programme's specific prerequisites. The programme's own...
International tuition:CAD 49,912/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,043/year
Honours Integrated Science (iSci) is a small, selective Faculty of Science programme with a target enrolment of about 60 students; the programme page states that a minimum average in the high 80s is required for consider...
International tuition:CAD 49,912/yearLocal tuition:CAD 6,043/year
Kinesiology is a Faculty of Science direct-entry programme. Ontario applicants apply through OUAC with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma including six Grade 12 U/M courses; the programme page does not itemise its own p...
Honours Medical Radiation Sciences is a selective Faculty of Health Sciences programme with a target enrolment of about 115 students; the programme page states a mid-90s anticipated admission average as a competitive tre...
Standard admission requirements for the Executive MBA in Digital Transformation are a four-year bachelor's degree in any discipline, a B average (73-77%) in the two most recent years of university study, considerable wor...
International tuition:CAD 27,089/semesterLocal tuition:CAD 11,187/semesterStart:September
The Full-Time MBA at the DeGroote School of Business requires an Honours Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. A minimum of two years of post-graduate work experience is recommended, though exceptional applican...
Applicants are normally expected to have completed an undergraduate degree in anthropology, or a degree with a significant anthropology component, and must have clearly developed intellectual and research interests. MA a...
Applicants need a four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university or college with at least a B+ average (equivalent to a McMaster GPA of 8.5 out of 12) in the final year of study, in courses relevant to the disc...
Applicants need a four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university or college with at least a B+ average (equivalent to a McMaster GPA of 8.5 out of 12) in the final year of study, in courses relevant to the disc...
Applicants require an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization, or equivalent. Preference is given to applicants who completed the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences in Bi...
Applicants need a four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university or college with at least a B+ average (equivalent to a McMaster GPA of 8.5 out of 12) in the final year of study, in courses relevant to the disc...
Applicants normally must have completed the requirements for a Master's degree in anthropology before admission to the doctoral program; students who apply before finishing their MA may be admitted conditionally on its c...
The program does not publish separate admission criteria of its own beyond McMaster's general graduate requirements, since students are admitted through and complete their degree within a participating home graduate prog...
The program page does not state a minimum admission average or a specific prior-degree requirement beyond standard McMaster graduate admission. As with other McMaster graduate programs, applicants whose prior education w...
Admission normally requires a Master of Science degree. As with other McMaster graduate programs, applicants whose prior education was not in English must meet the university's English-language proficiency standard: IELT...
Admission normally requires a Master of Science, Master of Applied Science, or equivalent degree in a related field. As with other McMaster graduate programs, applicants whose prior education was not in English must meet...
The program page does not state a minimum admission average or a specific prior-degree requirement beyond standard McMaster graduate admission. As with other McMaster graduate programs, applicants whose prior education w...
The program page does not state a minimum admission average or a specific prior-degree requirement beyond standard McMaster graduate admission; degree completion requires coursework and a research thesis, with candidates...
The program builds on a Master of Applied Science degree, with study extending beyond the MASc into research-intensive doctoral work. As with other McMaster graduate programs, applicants whose prior education was not in...
The program page does not state a minimum admission average or a specific prior-degree requirement beyond standard McMaster graduate admission. As with other McMaster graduate programs, applicants whose prior education w...
Admission normally requires a Master's degree, with the doctoral program requiring the equivalent of four half-courses beyond the Master's degree, a Comprehensive Examination, and a thesis defence. As with other McMaster...
International tuition:CAD 95,000/yearLocal tuition:CAD 25,130/yearMin. GPA:3.00 / 4.0
Admission to the DeGroote School of Medicine's MD programme is not available to secondary school applicants; official admission policy is published on the Undergraduate Medical Education site rather than the programme's...
Applicants require an Honours BSc degree in Physics or Engineering Physics with at least a B+ average in the final year. Applicants with an Honours BSc in another science discipline will be considered for admission if th...
4-year Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Sciences or Software with at least a B average (equivalent to a McMaster 8.0/12 GPA) in the penultimate and final years.
4-year Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Sciences or Software with at least a B average (equivalent to a McMaster 8.0/12 GPA) in the penultimate and final years.
Honours Bachelor's Degree (4 Year) in Engineering, Sciences, or equivalent. B average (73-76% or 8.0/12) in last two years of study (20 technical courses).
An undergraduate degree with a B+ average or equivalent professional experience in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field is generally required; applicants with degrees in other areas or with lower aver...
Applicants must have basic undergraduate qualifications, whether a degree, a certificate, or equivalent experience gained through their current job, and must be occupying a position in counselling, psychology, psychiatry...
Open only to students already enrolled in a doctoral program at McMaster University; the diploma is completed alongside the student's primary PhD program.
Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline, with demonstrated interest in global surgery and health equity and a minimum B+ average in the final year.
A completed master's degree in nursing with a McMaster B+ average (or equivalent); applicants must have worked full-time as a registered nurse for two years.
Four-year Honours Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution with completed accounting or business coursework; a minimum B+ average (equal to a McMaster 9.0 GPA) in third- and fourth-year required courses; and a min...
For the part-time M.Eng., a strong baccalaureate degree in engineering, mathematics, or the physical sciences with an average of at least B (equivalent to a McMaster GPA of 8.0) is generally required. For the Graduate Di...
What applying to McMaster University involves, in five steps.
1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. McMaster University runs 167 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Before applying to McMaster University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Canada.
3
Assemble your application package
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with McMaster University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
4
Submit your application
Lodge your application through the official website (www.mcmaster.ca). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
5
Contact admissions and follow up
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at comms@mcmaster.ca or by phone at +1 (905) 525 9140. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about McMaster University
Quick answers to common questions about McMaster University.
How old is McMaster University?
The institution opened in 1887 (approximately 139 years ago).
What city is McMaster University in?
McMaster University operates from Hamilton, Canada.
Is McMaster University public or private?
McMaster University is a public institution.
How big is McMaster University's student body?
McMaster University serves approximately 37,592 students.
How is McMaster University ranked?
McMaster University holds rank QS 2027 #174 =.
What is McMaster University's academic structure?
McMaster University is organised into 9 academic units across its disciplines.
Who recognises McMaster University?
Yes, McMaster University is recognised by Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities of Ontario.
How do I find McMaster University online?
The institution's website is www.mcmaster.ca.
Top-Ranked Universities in Canada
Top Canada universities often run international branch campuses. McMaster University's international footprint compared to this benchmark signals global engagement scale.
