Admission Requirements

1. Admission from Secondary Schools

All Level I programs have enrollment limits and admission is by selection.

A. Ontario

General Requirements (For all Level I Programs)

To be considered for admission, you must satisfy the general requirements of the university and the specific subject requirements for the program to which you applied plus any specified supplementary application/on-line assessment/audition/portfolio required by some programs at the university.

If you are an applicant from an Ontario secondary school you must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. An Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with acceptable standing; AND
2. An overall average in completed Grade 12 U and/or M courses which meets or exceeds the minimum set by the specific program to which you applied; AND
3. Satisfactory completion of six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including the subject requirements for your chosen program.

Note: Co-op courses are not included in any admission or final admission average calculations. Music External (Conservatory) 4M is acceptable as a credit and the mark obtained can be included in the calculation of your admission average. Alternatively, you may submit certificates from a recognized conservatory of music in Grade 8 practical and Grade 2 theory to your secondary school for one Grade 12M credit.

Admission Average Range

The Admission Average Range used to determine eligibility for consideration is calculated using the best six Grade 12 U and/or M grades, including those for all of the required subjects. McMaster calculates averages to two decimal points and we do not round up averages. Please Note: Grade 12 Co-op courses are not eligible to be used as one or more of the required prerequisite courses used to calculate admissibility and/or the admission average. See Early Conditional Admission and Final Admission below for specific details. Estimated admission average ranges for our Level I Programs can be found at: http://future.mcmaster.ca and click on Admission Requirements.

Early Conditional Admission

Early conditional admission may be granted annually to qualified applicants with strong academic standing. Early conditional admission is based on:

1. six appropriate midterm/interim Grade 12 U and/or M grades, OR
2. at least three final Grade 12 U and/or M grades PLUS enrollment in the appropriate additional three Grade 12 U and/or M courses.
3. In some cases, Grade 11 marks may be considered in extending early conditional offers of admission.

If you do not receive an offer of admission in March, you will automatically be reassessed for admission until May 15 after additional Grade 12 U and/or M grades are received from your secondary school. Due to enrollment limits, McMaster may not be able to consider additional grade data for admission purposes received after May 15.

The University reserves the right to withdraw a conditional offer of admission due to any of the following:

1. You do not meet the minimum final average prescribed for your chosen program; OR
2. You do not receive an OSSD; OR
3. You do not complete six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including all required subjects; OR
4. You do not successfully accept your offer of admission at the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) by the response deadline indicated on your offer letter; OR
5. You do not meet any other condition stipulated on your conditional offer of admission; OR
6. You attend a post-secondary institution prior to beginning your studies at McMaster; OR
7. Your offer of admission to the university was secured through fraudulent means. Please note the University’s statements regarding application fraud at the end of the Admission section of this calendar.

Minimum Final Average

If you are a secondary school applicant who receives a conditional offer of admission, you will be required to achieve an overall average calculated to two decimal points (on six (6) final grades including all required courses for your desired program) as indicated on your offer of conditional admission.

If your final average falls below this level (or its equivalent), your offer of admission will be rescinded/revoked and your registration will be cancelled.

The required minimum final average will vary from year to year and by program. This average will be stated clearly on the offer of conditional admission.

Supplementary Application Forms and Extenuating Circumstances Situations

Certain Level I programs including Arts & Science, Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH), Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) (regular and co-op), Engineering 1 (regular and coo-p), Honours Integrated Science, and Nursing have mandatory online supplementary application forms or online assessments which must be completed by specific deadline dates. Applicants to Nursing must complete a mandatory on-line assessment (CASPer^TM) on the dates specified each year. See Application and Documentation Deadlines , for specific deadline dates. Applicants to Engineering 1 (regular and co-op) and Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (regular and co-op) must complete a mandatory on-line assessment (2016 © Kira Talent) by February 1 each year. See Application and Documentation Deadlines , for specific deadline dates. Applicants to Integrated Business and Humanities must complete a mandatory on-line assessment (2016 © Kira Talent) and submit a personal resume by February 1 each year. Applicants to Business 1 may elect to complete an optional supplemental form prior to February 1 to let the program know more about themselves.

McMaster does not normally use optional supplementary application forms. Applicants will be notified if the program they applied to decides to use an optional supplementary application form.

Applicants with special circumstances whose average falls slightly below the required admission average range may forward a letter to the Office of the Registrar, Admissions explaining the nature of their extenuating circumstances.

In some cases, the university may request letters of recommendation, personal history or other additional information to aid in the admission process.

Offers of Admission for Secondary School Graduates

Applicants may be eligible for final admission if they have fulfilled the requirements for their OSSD and have final grades in six Grade 12 U and/or M courses. If you fulfill the requirements for your chosen program by the end of February, you may be granted an offer of final admission.

The University reserves the right to withdraw an offer of final admission due to any of the following:

1. You do not successfully accept your offer of admission at the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) by the response deadline indicated on your offer letter; OR 
2. You attend a post-secondary institution prior to beginning your studies at McMaster.
3. Your offer of admission to the university was secured through fraudulent means. Please note the University’s statements regarding application fraud at the end of the Admission section of this calendar.

Deferral of Admission

McMaster does not normally grant a deferral of an offer of admission unless special extenuating circumstances exist. Each case is evaluated on its own merits.

All requests for deferral of both admission and scholarship should be made in writing to:

Office of the Registrar, Admissions
McMaster University
Gilmour Hall 109, 1280 Main St. W.
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8

by September 1 of the application year, outlining the reasons for the request. If a deferral is granted, it is conditional upon the student not attending a secondary or post-secondary institution during the deferral period.

Subject Requirements for Specific Level I Programs

McMaster University offers the following Level I programs:

Arts & Science I, Automation Engineering Technology 1 (B.Tech.), Automotive and Vehicle Engineering Technology I (B.Tech.), Biotechnology I (B.Tech.), Business I, Chemical & Physical Sciences Gateway, Computer Science I (regular and co-op), Economics I, Engineering I (regular and co-op), Environmental and Earth Sciences Gateway, Honours Health and Society I, Health Sciences I, Humanities I, Honours Integrated Science (Level I), Honours Kinesiology (Level I), Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I (regular and co-op), Integrated Business & Humanities I, Life Sciences Gateway, Mathematics and Statistics Gateway, Medical Radiation Sciences (Level I), Midwifery I, Music I, Nursing I, Social Sciences I, and Studio Art I.

ARTS & SCIENCE I

You are required to complete a mandatory Supplementary Application Form which must be submitted electronically via the web at https://artsci.mcmaster.ca/prospective-students/supplementary-application/. The information provided enters into the selection process. A minimum overall average of 88% or higher is required for application consideration.

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. One of Advanced Functions U or Calculus and Vectors U (Calculus and Vectors U is strongly recommended)
3. Completion of four additional U or M courses, to total six courses, of which two must be at the U level

AUTOMATION ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY I CO-OP (B.TECH.), AUTOMOTIVE AND VEHICLE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY I CO-OP (B.TECH.), BIOTECHNOLOGY I CO-OP (B.TECH.)

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Calculus and Vectors U
3. Chemistry U
4. Physics U
5. Completion of two additional U or M courses to total six courses

Note: Applicants are also expected to have completed Advanced Functions U.

BUSINESS I

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Advanced Functions U
3. Calculus and Vectors U
4. Completion of three additional U or M courses to total six courses

Note: Applicants to Business I may elect to complete an optional supplemental form prior to February 1 to let the program know more about themselves. 

CHEMICAL & PHYSICAL SCIENCES GATEWAY

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Advanced Functions U
3. Calculus and Vectors U
4. Chemistry U
5. Physics U
6. Completion of one additional U or M courses to total six courses

COMPUTER SCIENCE I, COMPUTER SCIENCE I CO-OP

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Calculus and Vectors U
3. Two of: Biology U, Chemistry U, Physics U, Earth and Space U, Computer and Information Science M (or Computer Science U), or Computer Engineering M (or Computer Engineering Technology M)
4. Completion of two additional U or M courses to total six courses

Note: Applicants are also expected to have completed Advanced Functions U.

ECONOMICS I (Effective September 2019)

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Two of Advanced Functions U, Calculus and Vectors U, and Mathematics of Data Management U
3. Completion of three additional U or M courses to total six courses

Note: Applicants without Calculus and Vectors 4U will be required to take an equivalent Calculus course in Level I. Applicants without Data Management U will be required to take an equivalent Stats course in Level I.

ENGINEERING I, ENGINEERING I CO-OP

Admission to Engineering 1 (regular and co-op) is by selection. A minimum average range in the high 80s is required for application consideration. Applicants must complete a mandatory on-line assessment (2016 © Kira Talent) by the February 1 deadline as specified each year. See Application and Documentation Deadlines , for specific deadline dates.

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Calculus and Vectors U
3. Chemistry U
4. Physics U
5. Completion of two additional U or M courses to total six courses

Note: Applicants are also expected to have completed Advanced Functions U.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND EARTH SCIENCES GATEWAY

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. One of Advanced Functions U or Calculus and Vectors U
3. One of Biology U, Chemistry U
4. One of Advanced Functions U, Biology U, Calculus and Vectors U, Chemistry U, Physics U
5. Completion of two additional U or M courses to total six courses

HONOURS HEALTH AND SOCIETY I (Effective September 2019)

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Completion of five additional U or M courses to total six courses

HONOURS HEALTH SCIENCES I

The selection method is by consideration of academic and a mandatory on-line Supplementary Application Form (due mid-February) submitted electronically via the web; details at https://bhsc.mcmaster.ca/. A minimum overall average of 90% or higher is required for application consideration. The Supplementary Application must be completed and submitted on-line by the specified deadline date. A review of the mandatory Supplementary Application is a very important component of the admission process. Applicants who do not complete the Supplementary Application will not be considered for admission.

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. One of Advanced Functions U, Calculus and Vectors U, or Mathematics of Data Management U
3. Biology U
4. Chemistry U
5. One U or M non-math/non-science course (Note: courses in technological education, science or mathematics are not acceptable)
6. Completion of one additional U or M course in any subject area to total six courses

HUMANITIES I

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Completion of additional U or M courses to total six courses

The Faculty of Humanities strongly recommends that you select at least one Grade 12 U or M course from Humanities subjects (Art, Drama, English, French, Français, other languages, History and Music). Note: In addition to Requirement 1 above, Biology U is strongly recommended for students planning to enter a Cognitive Science of Language program.

HONOURS INTEGRATED SCIENCE (Level I)

Candidates are required to complete a mandatory Supplementary Application Form which must be submitted electronically via the web at http://www.science.mcmaster.ca/isci/prospective-students. The information provided in the supplementary application enters into the selection process. Only applicants with high academic standing will be selected. Successful candidates must present a minimum average in the high 80’s.

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Advanced Functions U
3. Calculus and Vectors U
4. Two of Biology U, Chemistry U, Physics U
5. Completion of one additional U or M course to total six courses

INTEGRATED BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND HEALTH SCIENCES (IBEHS) I /
INTEGRATED BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND HEALTH SCIENCES (IBEHS) I CO-OP

Admission to Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences 1 (regular and co-op) is by selection. A minimum overall average of 90% or higher is required for application consideration. Applicants must complete a mandatory on-line assessment (2016 © Kira Talent) by February 1 as specified each year. See Application and Documentation Deadlines , for specific deadline dates. The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Calculus and Vectors U
3. Biology U
4. Chemistry U
5. Physics U
6. Completion of one additional U or M course to total six courses

INTEGRATED BUSINESS AND HUMANITIES I

Admission to Integrated Business and Humanities 1 is by selection. A minimum overall average of 88% or higher is required for application consideration. Applicants must complete a mandatory on-line assessment (2016 © Kira Talent) by February 1 each year. The following are the Minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Calculus and Vectors U
3. Data Management U
4. Completion of three additional U and M courses to total six courses.

Note: Applicants are also expected to have completed Advanced Functions U.

HONOURS KINESIOLOGY (Level I)

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Calculus and Vectors U
3. Biology U
4. Completion of three additional Grade 12 U or M courses to total six courses. Introductory Kinesiology U is strongly recommended.

LIFE SCIENCES GATEWAY

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Advanced Functions U or Calculus and Vectors U
3. Biology U
4. One of Advanced Functions U, Calculus and Vectors U, Chemistry U or Physics U
5. Completion of two additional U or M courses to total six courses

MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS GATEWAY

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Advanced Functions U
3. Calculus and Vectors U
4. Completion of three additional U or M courses to total six courses

MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES (Level I)

Students considering the Medical Radiation Sciences I program should refer to the Regulations for License to Practice and Functional Demands in the Medical Radiation Sciences program in the Faculty of Science  section of this calendar.

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Advanced Functions U
3. Calculus and Vectors U
4. Biology U
5. Chemistry U
6. Completion of one additional U or M course to total six courses

MIDWIFERY I

Places in the Midwifery program are very limited and the admission process is highly competitive. Admission to the Midwifery Education Program is by selection. Application to the Midwifery program must be completed by February 1. In recent years an average range in the mid to high 80’s has been required to move forward to the admissions interview stage. Interviews are by-invitation only.

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Biology U
3. Chemistry U
4. Completion of additional U or M courses to total six courses
5. To be eligible to apply students must obtain a minimum grade of 75% in each of the three required courses listed in points 1, 2, and 3 above AND an overall average, including the required courses, that is acceptable to the Program.
6. Current (Ontario) secondary students may apply if one or more of the three (3) mandatory prerequisite courses are in progress at the time of application; however, the grade 11 prerequisite(s) in the same subjects must be completed at the time of application so that a preliminary assessment of the subject area(s) can be made.  Admission is based on in-progress secondary school subjects for current secondary students only if the grade 11 prerequisite in that subject area has been completed with a minimum grade of at least 75%.

MUSIC I

The academic requirements are the same as for Humanities I. In addition, applicants to Music I or to the B.A. in Music must successfully complete a music audition/examination consisting of:

1. Demonstration of technique (a level equivalent to at least honours standing in Grade 8 of the Royal Conservatory of Music)
2. Performance (approximately 20 minutes’ duration) of two or three varied pieces of your choice (approximately Grade 8 honours level), including at least one from the 20th century
3. Ear test appropriate to the Grade 8 performance level
4. Written examination on rudiments of theory (Grade 2 level)
5. Interview

For comprehensive details, visit https://sota.humanities.mcmaster.ca/undergraduate-programs/music/
Auditions take place between February and April. You must make arrangements with the School of the Arts for your audition at sota@mcmaster.ca.

NURSING I

NURSING CONSORTIUM (CONESTOGA)

NURSING CONSORTIUM (MOHAWK)

Students interested in a McMaster (B.Sc.N.) Nursing degree have three location options: McMaster University, Mohawk College or Conestoga College. Each of the three sites offers the four-year program which uses the problem-based learning and small group tutorial educational model. For more information about the Mohawk and Conestoga College sites refer to the B.Sc.N. (A) Stream the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences  portion of the Calendar. For full application instructions see http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/nursing/education_undergrad_bscn.html as well as the Application Procedures  section of this Calendar.

Admission to Nursing 1 at all sites is by selection. A minimum overall average of 85% or higher is normally required for application consideration. Additionally, applicants to Nursing must complete a mandatory on-line assessment (CASPer^TM) on the dates in February as specified each year.

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. One of Advanced Functions U, Calculus and Vectors U, Mathematics of Data Management U
3. Biology U
4. Chemistry U
5. Completion of two additional U or M courses to total six courses

The selection method is by academic qualifications (minimum overall average range of 85% or higher is required for consideration) and a mandatory, online, 90-minute computer-based assessment of personal characteristics called CASPer^TM. Applicants who do not complete the CASPer^TM test will not be considered for admission.

Health requirements for admission to Nursing 1: During the registration process, you must file with the University information pertaining to your state of health and immunization. Detailed instructions will be provided after acceptance into the program.

Students considering the Nursing 1 program should refer to the document Requisite Skills and Abilities for nursing practice in Ontario at the College of Nurses of Ontario www.cno.org.

SOCIAL SCIENCES I

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Completion of additional U or M courses to total six courses

Advanced Functions U or Calculus and Vectors U is strongly recommended for students planning to enter programs in Economics or Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour. Biology U is recommended for students planning to enter a program in Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour.

STUDIO ART I

The following are the minimum Grade 12 U and M requirements:

1. English U
2. Completion of additional U or M courses to total six courses

McMaster offers Studio Art as a direct-entry Level I program leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. Admission to this program is by selection and requires a mandatory portfolio interview with the School of the Arts http://sota.mcmaster.ca/undergraduate/studio_art.html.

You must make arrangements for your portfolio interview with the School of the Arts at sota@mcmaster.ca.

B. Other Canadian Provinces and Territories

Subject Requirements for Level I Programs

In addition to the minimum requirements below, satisfactory completion of the specified subject requirements for the program to which you applied is also required. Please refer to our website http://future.mcmaster.ca for more details.

Averages used to determine eligibility for admission and residence are calculated to two decimal points based on the minimum provincial requirements, including the prerequisite courses for the program to which you have applied.

Early Conditional Admission

Applications are reviewed for conditional admission as soon as all required documents, with sufficient course and grade data, are received by the Office of the Registrar, Admissions. All Canadian applicants should ensure that their schools (vs. the Provincial Ministry for those provinces where transcripts are issued by the Ministry), forward interim/midyear school grade reports showing marks for all courses taken during the Grade 11 and 12 years as well as all course registrations for the current academic year, as soon as they are available. The terms and conditions of the offer of admission are stated clearly on the offer letter. The Provincial Ministry final transcript confirming final grades and graduation status will be required at the end of the school year. Students from all other provinces where transcripts are issued by their high schools should have their schools forward the appropriate interim mid-year transcripts and final transcripts confirming graduation.

Applicants are required to meet the following minimum requirements including the specified subject requirements (not listed below) for their chosen program. For a complete listing of our specific course requirements by province and Level I program you may refer to our web site: http://future.mcmaster.ca/admissions/admission-requirements/.

Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut

Grade 12 high school diploma with five acceptable academic courses numbered 30 or 31, including English Language Arts 30-1.

British Columbia and Yukon

Grade 12 high school diploma with four acceptable Grade 12 academic courses (or equivalent), including English 12 or English 12 First Peoples. 

Manitoba

Grade 12 high school diploma with five acceptable Grade 12 academic courses numbered 40A or 40S, including one of English 40S or Anglais 40S.

New Brunswick

Grade 12 high school diploma with five acceptable Grade 12 academic courses numbered 120, 121, or 122, including English 121 or 122.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Grade 12 high school diploma with eleven acceptable Grade 12 academic credits at the 3000 level, including English 3201.

Nova Scotia

Grade 12 high school diploma with five acceptable Grade 12 academic courses (university preparatory Academic or Advanced), including English 12.

Prince Edward Island

Grade 12 high school diploma with five acceptable Grade 12 academic courses numbered 611 or 621, including English 621.

Québec

Grade 12 Diploma with six acceptable Grade 12 academic courses in the 600 series including English

OR

Year I CEGEP with twelve appropriate academic courses, including two English/Anglais 603 or two English 604 courses. Students completing Year II or III CEGEP who will or have achieved the DEC may be considered for advanced credit in their chosen program. The côte de rendement (R Score) is used for admission consideration.

Saskatchewan

Grade 12 high school diploma with five acceptable Grade 12 academic courses numbered 30, including both English A30 and B30.

C. International Baccalaureate Diploma

Applicants who have completed or will be completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma will be considered for admission to Level I, provided the completed diploma program includes the subject requirements of the program desired. Advanced credit of up to 18 units of study will be considered for Higher Level (HL) courses based on the achievement of final IB Diploma grades of 5 or greater.

For more information please refer to http://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/admission-requirements/.

D. Advanced Placement (A.P.) Courses/Examinations

Applicants who have completed AP courses will be considered for admission to a Level I program. Applicants who have completed A.P. exams through the College Board in acceptable courses and achieve a minimum grade of 4 will be considered for up to 18 units of advanced credit. For all students who have completed AP examinations through the College Board, an official copy of the final Advanced Placement Examination Results Report from the College Board is required as part of the admission and advanced credit evaluation process. For more information please refer to https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/requirements/.

E. Other International Secondary School Qualifications

See the admission requirements for applicants from the more common international educational systems below. For all other education systems from around the world, please visit our website for the specific minimum requirements for your country’s educational system. Required subjects would be the same as required for Ontario and other Canadian students: https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/requirements/. 

Applicants must arrange for official high school transcripts to be sent to McMaster University directly from their high school well in advance of the session to which they are applying. The equivalent of first-class standing will be required for admission consideration. Documents in a language other than English should be accompanied by notarized English translations. You will be considered for admission on an individual basis and you will not be allowed to attend the University until we have received official evidence that all conditions attached to your Offer of Admission have been fulfilled.

McMaster University may require students presenting documents that will form the basis of their admission to the university, from schools outside of North America, to have those documents authenticated via WES Canada http://www.wes.org/ca/index.asp. Students will be supplied with specific information in their official Offer of Admission letter.

American High School Curriculum

American Curriculum High School applications are reviewed for admission based on McMaster’s own calculation of the admission average. McMaster’s calculations of the admission averages may vary from those used at other institutions.
Applicants from an American high school curriculum must satisfactorily complete a secondary school diploma with a minimum overall average of at least 80% in a Grade 12 academic program from an accredited American high school/International American Curriculum high school AND must present all prerequisite courses for their chosen program(s).

Admission is competitive and many programs will require grades/averages well above the minimum 80% for admission consideration. For complete requirements for American Curriculum applicants, please visit our website: https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/requirements/.

General Requirements

High school Diploma from an accredited school with prerequisite subjects including English completed at the AP or Senior Grade 12 academic level.
Students may be required to satisfy our English language proficiency requirements: https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/language/
McMaster will consider a minimum of five Senior Grade 12 academic courses including all prerequisite subjects for the applicant’s selected program(s). Students applying to programs in Engineering, Science, Health Sciences, Economics and Business programming that have mandatory Science and/or Mathematics prerequisites should note the following requirements for each subject:

• Biology - 2 years/ 2 full credits (Junior and Senior) or AP Biology (or equivalent)
• Physics - 2 years/2 full credits (Junior and Senior) or AP Physics (or equivalent)
• Chemistry - 2 years/ 2 full credits (Junior and Senior) or AP Chemistry (or equivalent)
• Calculus - 4 years of high school Mathematics including Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus or equivalent.

McMaster University will accept the results of an equivalent AP challenge examination in lieu of ONE of the science/math prerequisites for your chosen subject if your school does not offer the subject. A minimum score of 4 or 5 will be required for AP challenge exams.

Students who are presenting AP courses that are prerequisite to their selected program(s) will be required to complete and submit the AP Examination(s) via the College Board and minimum grades of at least 3 will be required from the examinations to meet admission conditions.

SAT II Subject Test with a score of at least 670 or higher may be considered on a case-by-case basis in lieu of ONE of the science/math prerequisites for your chosen program.

For claimed equivalencies, detailed syllabi including all topics covered, total hours and textbooks used are required for our evaluation and should be submitted alongside official high school transcripts/reports.

Students in continental US high schools must supply results from either the SAT or ACT testing. The SAT Essay and the ACT Writing Test are optional for McMaster. All other applicants in American Style Curriculum schools outside of the US are also encouraged to submit the results of SAT/ACT tests as admission to all of McMaster’s undergraduate programs is highly competitive and preference may be given to applicants presenting excellent scores.

Students in China and who are completing an International hybrid curriculum (National curriculum concurrent with an AP/American style curriculum are required to supply results from either SAT or ACT testing:

• SAT - minimum overall score of 1200 or greater (Reading/Math sections only) with minimum scores of 600 in each section. (Institutional Code for SAT/AP 0936)
• ACT - minimum composite score of 27 or greater (Institutional Code 5326)

High scores in external tests such as SAT, SATII Subject Tests, ACT and AP may help your applications to be more competitive for your selected program.

General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.)

Applicants from the General Certificate of Education system require a minimum of five G.C.E. subjects at least two of which must be at the Advanced A2 Level with the balance of the subjects at the IGCSE/GSCE (Ordinary Level). Advanced Level subjects must be appropriate to your chosen program.

Note: Many programs may require a minimum of three Advanced A2 Level courses.

For program specific requirements please refer to https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/requirements/.

Other Countries or Educational Systems

For admission requirements from other education systems, please visit https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/requirements/ to view our country-specific Admissions Requirements.

F. Home Schooled Applicants

Home schooled applicants who in addition to their home schooling experience have completed six Grade 12 U and M courses at an Ontario Ministry of Education inspected and approved school, or equivalent courses from another recognized academic jurisdiction may be considered for their program of choice providing they present the appropriate prerequisite courses on official transcripts from accredited schools and meet the required admission average. McMaster University is the sole arbiter of what is considered as equivalent level education and equivalent courses.

All other home schooled applicants may apply for admission consideration to Humanities I or Social Sciences I by presenting the following:

1. List of home school credentials including but not limited to structured curriculum completed through ACE (Accelerated Christian Education Program) or other such programs.
2. Portfolio of written work; normally, evidence of appropriate intellectual maturity is expected.
3. Results of standardized tests such as SAT, ACT. Applicants must also present results from the Critical Reading and Mathematics components of SAT I with a minimum combined score of 1200 (minimum 580 Critical Reading, 520 Mathematics) OR a minimum combined score for the Redesigned SAT result of at least 1200 as a combined score with a minimum of 600 in each section OR from ACT with a minimum composite score of 27.

​Interested applicants should contact the Office of the Registrar for further information regarding admission criteria.

G. Prior-Year Secondary School Graduates

Applicants who have previously completed a secondary school diploma and have not attended a post-secondary institution since graduation, may be considered for admission by presenting satisfactory standing in six required Grade 12 U and M courses (or equivalent) as identified in the Subject Requirements For Specific Level I Programs section in this calendar.

If you have attended a post-secondary institution after high school graduation, you would not be considered as an applicant from secondary school. See Admission/Transfer From Post-Secondary Institutions section in this calendar.

2. Admission/Transfer from Post-Secondary Institutions

A. From Universities

Most McMaster programs have enrollment limits and admission is by selection. Possession of the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission will be considered on a case by case basis and is not guaranteed.

When you transfer to McMaster University, you will normally receive credit for courses in which you have obtained at least a C- standing (as per the McMaster grading scale). Assessment of courses for transfer credit is subject to the guidelines of the individual Faculties.

As a transfer student, you must also satisfy the Residence Requirements set out in the General Academic Regulations section of this Calendar. The University will not accord to you privileges which would not be granted by your own university.

Grades obtained in courses taken at another university will not be included in McMaster’s Grade Point Average, and, therefore, cannot be used to raise your standing.

If you have been required to withdraw from another university and have fulfilled your period of suspension, you may apply for admission. However, you must present a letter of explanation and clarification concerning your past academic performance. You may also be asked to provide academic documentation for proof of further academic achievement which is both current and relevant. For full transfer information see our website: https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/transfer-student-information/.

B. From Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology

Most McMaster programs have enrollment limits and admission is by selection. Possession of the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission will be considered on a case by case basis and is not guaranteed.

See the minimum admission requirements for Level I programs as listed below. You are considered for admission on an individual basis.

For information regarding the amount of available transfer credits when transferring from a College of Applied Arts and Technology please visit https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/college-transfer-student-information/.  

C. University Graduates Applying for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

All programs have enrollment limits and admission is by selection. If you have a first non-Honours degree, you may apply to take an Honours second degree in the same subject area or a second degree in another discipline. Please note the following exceptions: B.Arts Sc.(Arts & Science), B.Com. (Bachelor of Commerce), B.Com. (Honours), B.H.Sc. (Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)), B.Sc. (Honours) in Integrated Science (ISCI), Honours B.Sc. Kinesiology, Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, Integrated Business and Humanities cannot be done as second degree programs. Honours Music is only available as a second degree to students whose first degree is not a BA in Music. The requirements are set out in the General Academic Regulations  section of this Calendar.

If you wish to enter a Second Bachelor’s Degree in a subject area from the Faculty of Science, please note that admission to all limited enrollment programs, with the exception of Medical Radiation Sciences I, may not be possible. Second Degree applicants to all Science programs, except Medical Radiation Sciences I, are not eligible to apply to or be admitted to any of the other first year Science programs. Second Degree applicants must have already completed all first year requirements for the second year program they wish to apply to, with the exception of Medical Radiation Sciences I. See Limited enrollment Programs in the Faculty of Science  section of this Calendar for a list of programs. Please contact the Office of the Associate Dean of Science (Academic) for further information (see the Application Procedures  section).

If you are a McMaster graduate or potential graduate, you may be able to use the McMaster University Returning Student Application (see the Application Procedures  section).

D. Continuing Students

At McMaster, a Continuing Student is defined as a graduate from an undergraduate program, who wishes to take more undergraduate courses, either out of general interest or to upgrade or obtain courses required for future applications to graduate studies or other professional programs. To be eligible to take courses as a Continuing Student you will be expected to have an undergraduate university degree and at least a C average, with no failures, in your final year’s work (or the equivalent, in the case of a degree taken through part-time studies), and academic records which are satisfactory to the Department and the Office of the Associate Dean of the appropriate Faculty. *Please Note: not all courses are available to Continuing students and course prerequisites for selected courses must be met. Also note that admission as a Continuing student does not guarantee registration in courses of interest to the student.

McMaster Graduates

If you are a graduate of a McMaster undergraduate degree program and wish to become a Continuing Student, you do not need to apply for admission. Graduates who have not attended courses for more than two years will need to contact the Office of the Registrar prior to attempting to enrol for courses.

Graduates from Other Universities

As a Continuing Student with a non-McMaster degree, you must apply formally for admission in the first instance. In subsequent sessions, you will only be required to enrol.

Acceptance as a Continuing Student carries no implications with respect to acceptance in the School of Graduate Studies. If you plan to proceed to a graduate degree you should apply directly to the specific department of your program of interest.

E. From Six Nations Polytechnic

McMaster University, along with four other universities, partnered with Six Nations Polytechnic to offer university courses in the community of Six Nations. The courses offered are eligible for transfer credit at any of the universities within the consortium. For more information please contact the Indigenous Student Services at 905-525-9140, ext. 27459 or indigservices@mcmaster.ca.

F. From Post-Secondary Institutions with Religious Affiliation

Undergraduate general academic studies taken at colleges with religious affiliation that are member institutions of specific accredited associations will be considered for admission and transfer credit on a case by case basis. Applicants from a non-accredited postsecondary institution with religious affiliation will be considered for admission based on completion of a Grade 12 high school diploma.

3. Other Categories of Admission

A. Part-time Admission

Students interested in beginning studies on a part-time basis should review the requirements and information found in the following sections of this Calendar:

• Admission Requirements
• Application Procedures
• General Academic Regulations
• Sessional Dates
• Program descriptions found in the specific Faculty sections

Applicants who wish to pursue undergraduate studies on a part time basis at McMaster must meet one of the admissions criteria outlined in the sections above. If applicants do not meet any of these criteria, they may qualify for Mature Student Admission as outlined under the heading Mature Student Admission below.

 Detailed information can be found on our website: http://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/process/105pt.

B. Mature Students (Admission)

If you do not qualify for admission consideration under one of the above categories, McMaster will assess your eligibility as a mature student. You may be considered for limited admission, provided both of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. You have not attended secondary school or college on a full-time basis for at least two years.
2. You have never attended university.

Applicants admitted as mature students will not be granted transfer credit. Programs in the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences have no specific course requirements for mature student admission. The following Level I programs have specific course requirements that mature applicants must present from secondary school, as outlined:

• Business I: requires one Grade 12 U Mathematics course (or equivalent).
• Chemical and Physical Sciences Gateway: requires satisfactory standing in four Grade 12 U mathematics and science courses (or equivalent) as specified under the heading Subject Requirements For Specific Level I Programs.
• Environmental and Earth Sciences Gateway: requires satisfactory standing in three Grade 12 U mathematics and science courses (or equivalent) as specified under the heading Subject Requirements For Specific Level I Programs.
• Life Sciences Gateway: requires satisfactory standing in three Grade 12 U mathematics and science courses (or equivalent) as specified under the heading Subject Requirements For Specific Level I Programs.
• Mathematics and Statistics Gateway: requires satisfactory standing in two Grade 12 U mathematics courses – Advanced Functions U and Calculus and Vectors U as specified under the heading Subject Requirements For Specific Level I Programs.
• Midwifery I: does not offer mature admission directly to the program.  However, students interested in Midwifery may be admitted as a mature student to another program in order to complete a minimum of six university courses (18 units) in their program of admission before applying to the Midwifery Education Program. 
• Nursing I does not offer mature admission directly to the program. However, students interested in Nursing may be admitted as a mature student to another program in order to complete university prerequisite courses for later consideration for admission to Nursing I. Possession of the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission. Contact the School of Nursing for more details.

The following programs do not admit under the category of Mature Students: Arts & Science I, Automotive and Vehicle Technology I (B.Tech.), Biotechnology I (B.Tech.), Computer Science I, Engineering I, Health Sciences I, Honours Integrated Science (Level I), Honours Kinesiology (Level I), Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences I, Integrated Business and Humanities I, Medical Radiation Sciences (Level I), Midwifery I, Nursing I, and Process Automation Technology I (B.Tech.).

If admitted to a program as a mature student, you may register to take up to 18 units of course work (normally Level I courses) during the Fall/Winter session with no more than nine units in each term (three courses). Within the first 18 units, mature students will be limited to taking three units in each term of the Spring/Summer session.

Upon completion of 18 units, your performance will be reviewed according to the general academic regulations of the university. (See Level I Registration and Academic Standing Requirements under General Academic Regulations ).

C. Visiting Students (Letter of Permission - For Credit at Another University)

If you are a student currently attending another university, you may apply to take McMaster courses for credit at your own/home institution. Please note, not all courses are available for credit outside McMaster and all are subject to enrollment limits, so it is important that all applicants adhere to McMaster application deadlines.

You must initially apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) and send your Letter of Permission and an official transcript from your home institution directly to the Office of the Registrar, Admissions. Upon receipt, your transcript will be reviewed to ensure you have met the prerequisites for courses you plan to take at McMaster. Approval of your application as a Visiting Student does not guarantee your enrollment in a course.

Subsequent requests to take courses on a Letter of Permission do not require another application; however you must send an updated Letter of Permission and a current official transcript from your home institution to the Office of the Associate Dean of the Faculty offering the course at McMaster. If you are attempting to register in courses offered by more than one Faculty, you must obtain approval from each Office of the Associate Dean.

D. Graduates of McMaster Certificate/Diploma Programs

If you have completed certificate or diploma programs from McMaster, you may be granted advanced credit up to maximum specified by Undergraduate Council upon successful completion of the certificate/diploma program. Faculties will take into account the subject matter of both the certificate and degree programs. The credit will normally be applied against your elective courses. For more information concerning the amount of advanced credit granted, please refer to the Certificate and Diploma Programs   section of this Calendar.

E. Post-Degree Students

If you are a university graduate or a person with professional qualifications who wishes to take one or more graduate courses but not proceed to an advanced degree, you may apply to McMaster as a post-degree student. To enroll as a post-degree student, you must apply to the appropriate departments and have your admission and registration approved by the School of Graduate Studies for each session in which you wish to take courses. You will register and pay fees as a graduate student.

Acceptance as a post-degree student carries no implications with respect to admission to advanced degrees, and even if such admission is granted subsequently, credit toward the advanced degree will not normally be granted for the work previously taken.

F. Listeners

If you are uncertain about degree courses, you may register as a listener in a degree course, but not for credit. You attend all classes, but do not complete any of the essays, tests and other formal requirements. You do not receive a grade for courses that you attend. Some students have eased their way into degree study with this option, subsequently applying for admission and enrolling in further courses for credit. Please note not all courses are available to Listeners. Please see http://www.mcmaster.ca/bms/student/index.htm for any applicable fees. For more information please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Written permission to attend must be obtained from the instructor delivering the course. An I.D. card cannot be issued until permission has been obtained.

G. Enrichment Program for Secondary School Students

If you are an outstanding Grade 12 student and wish to enroll in a university-level course while completing Grade 12 U and M courses in your final year of study, you may apply for the Enrichment Program. For more information contact the Office of the Registrar at (905) 525-4600.

H. Former McMaster Degree Students (Returning Students)

Readmission

If you are a former McMaster student who voluntarily withdrew from an undergraduate program more than five years ago (and have not attended another university or completed a college diploma elsewhere) and you wish to return to your studies, then you must apply for Readmission. Students from the School of Nursing must apply for Readmission regardless of time elapsed following voluntary withdrawal.

If you were enrolled (have a record of course enrolment) within the last five years and you left the university in good academic standing (and have not attended another university or completed a college diploma elsewhere), then it is not necessary for you to apply for Readmission. Normally, you will be permitted to enrol in your previous program or another program for which you qualify. You must contact the Office of the Registrar directly in order to have your status reactivated prior to enrollment: (905) 525-4600.

Reinstatement

See the General Academic Regulations  section in this Calendar.

Second McMaster Degree

See University Graduates Applying for a Second Bachelor’s Degree  in this section of the Calendar.

Continuing Studies

See Continuing Students  in this section of the Calendar.

4. Transfer Credits

A. General Policy on the Transfer of University Course Credits

To facilitate program completion by undergraduate students seeking to transfer course credit from an accredited university to McMaster, the University has implemented the following principles:

1. Acceptance of transfer credits from accredited universities shall be based on the recognition that, while learning experiences may differ in a variety of ways, their substance may be essentially equivalent in terms of their content and rigour. Insofar as possible, acceptance of transfer credit shall allow for the maximum recognition of previous learning experience in university-level courses;
2. Subject to degree, grade and program requirements, any course offered for credit by an accredited university shall be accepted for credit by McMaster when there is an essential equivalency in course content. However, no course for which a grade of less than C- (60%) has been achieved will be considered.
3. Evaluation of all possible transfer credits available at the time of admission must be completed within one year of the date of admission to the University.

B. From Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology

Normally, if you are a well-qualified graduate of a three-year program and the college work is appropriate to your chosen university program, you could receive up to 30 units of transfer credit. If you have completed a two-year program and performed well, transfer credit will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Credit beyond this may be given on an individual basis where the college and university programs are in similar areas, and where your academic record warrants special consideration.

In the granting of credit, attention will be given to:

1. your performance in the college program;
2. the duration of the college program;
3. the program taken at the college and the program to which entry is sought;
4. your secondary school record.

Each case will be considered individually on its own merits for the program desired.

C. Advanced Credit

Subject to the discretion of the Faculty, advanced credit may be granted if you have completed the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Diploma, the Advanced Placement (A.P.) Program and the College Board examinations or the General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) and you have met the minimum requirements prescribed. Advanced credit may shorten your degree program at McMaster.

D. Credit in Courses by Special Assessment (Challenge Examinations)

Students who have acquired knowledge at a different type of institution or in a manner that makes assessment of their qualifications difficult are permitted to seek degree credit through special assessment (Challenge for Credit).

Challenge for credit is not intended to give credit for skills or knowledge gained through high school, college or previous university instruction. The special assessment may include one or more of the following: written examinations, papers, essays, submissions of a substantial body of work, or portfolios, or laboratory tests. Credit can be granted only for those courses listed in the current McMaster calendar. Not all courses in all disciplines are available for challenge. Faculties and departments are free to determine which, if any, of their courses are open for special assessment. Challenges are assessed on a pass/fail basis. The passing grade for a challenge appears on the transcript as COM (Complete) and is not used in computing averages or evaluating honours or scholarship standing, but is counted as a course attempt. Unsuccessful attempts will be noted on the transcript as a grade of F. Special Assessment is not available for a course taken previously and a course may be attempted only once by special assessment. Once you have registered for a course by such means (known as challenge exams) the registration may not be cancelled and you may not withdraw from the course.

Waivers of prerequisites only (ie. no degree credit) will be at the discretion of the department.

5. English Language Proficiency

If you have been asked to meet our English Language Proficiency requirement, you must demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving the minimum requirements as specified by McMaster. The university reserves the right to require applicants with an English Language Proficiency score disparate from their English prerequisite subject grade to present further evidence of achievement. You may review acceptable tests of English Language Proficiency and minimum score requirements on our web site http://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/admission-requirements/language/. It is your responsibility to make all arrangements regarding the writing of the English Language Proficiency tests and to have the official score report forwarded to the Office of the Registrar, Admissions directly from the testing center in a timely manner.

At the discretion of the university, you may be exempted from this requirement if you meet one of the following requirements:

1. Attended immediately prior to application to McMaster, in full-time academic studies (non-ESL), an accredited Secondary School (High School) or Post-Secondary College in an English-speaking country for at least four years, OR
2. Attended immediately prior to application to McMaster, in full-time academic studies (non-ESL), an accredited English medium Secondary School (High School) or Post-Secondary College for at least four years,* OR
3. Attended immediately prior to application to McMaster, in full-time academic studies (non-ESL), an accredited English medium University for at least one year, OR
4. Resided in an English speaking country for at least four years immediately prior to application to McMaster.

*Please note that the Undergraduate MD program requires a minimum of three years of study at an English-medium university. More information about the admission requirements for Medicine at McMaster can be found at: http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/mdprog.

Statements for Application Fraud

If McMaster concludes based on reasonable grounds that the applicant has falsified any information presented to the University as part of his or her application, without limiting any other rights of McMaster available at law, McMaster reserves the right to revoke the offer and, subject to applicable law and University Policy, to terminate a student’s registration.

Without limiting McMaster’s General Statement on Collection of Personal Information and Protection of Privacy, please take note that McMaster University collects and retains personal information of applicants for admissions to McMaster University under the authority of The McMaster University Act, 1976. This information may be used for the administration of admissions and registration and, subject to McMaster University policies (as may be amended or revoked from time to time), McMaster may disclose any evidence of misrepresentation, fraud or falsification of admissions documentation to other educational institutions, to government agencies, to law-enforcement agencies and to other relevant third parties. The information you provide on any application for admissions will be protected and used in compliance with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSO 1990) and will be disclosed only in accordance with this Act. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact the University Registrar, University Hall, Room 209, Student Records, Gilmour Hall, Room 108, or the University Secretary, Gilmour Hall, Room 210, McMaster University.

McMaster English Language Development Diploma (MELD)

Department of Linguistics and Languages (Faculty of Humanities)
Phone: (+1) 905.525.9140 Ext. 23718

Email: meld@mcmaster.ca
Web: http://meld.mcmaster.ca

Students who meet the academic admission requirements for their choice of Level 1 program, but do not meet McMaster’s English Language Proficiency requirement may be admitted to the MELD bridging program which has been developed for international students, providing them with a supportive environment in which they can succeed. The diploma is a two-term, full-time intensive bridging program in English language development, acculturation and engagement.

Students accepted into MELD are given a conditional offer of admission to their program of choice, pending successful completion of the MELD diploma. Once the diploma in MELD has been successfully completed, the student may register in the program to which he/she was given conditional admission and will have completed 6 units of degree credit courses in Linguistics that may be applied as electives to that program. In exceptional circumstances, MELD will consider transfers from other McMaster programs.

Please visit meld.mcmaster.ca for more information or email meld@mcmaster.ca.

McMaster English Readiness for Graduate Excellence Certificate

https://meld.humanities.mcmaster.ca/merge/

MERGE (the McMaster English Readiness for Graduate Excellence Certificate) is an intensive 10-week summer Academic English preparatory program, intended for graduate and professional students. Admission requirements include successful completion of an undergraduate degree and English language proficiency minimum requirements of TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS 6.5 (with minimum category requirements). Target English proficiency upon program completion will be an IELTS score of 7-7.5 or Common European Framework Reference for Languages (CEFR) level C2.1, in keeping with graduate English proficiency admission requirements.

Students in MERGE will complete a program that includes intensive practice of academic English (listening, reading, writing, speaking), with an emphasis on professional development. The MERGE certificate does not require current or conditional admission to a McMaster University graduate program and program completion does not guarantee admission to a graduate program of study in and of itself. As a stand-alone program, the MERGE certificate coursework cannot be utilized for advanced standing or credit towards degree studies.

Certificate Requirements

• MERGE 100 - Advanced Reading and Writing for Graduate Studies (6 units)
• MERGE 200 - Advanced Listening and Speaking for Graduate Studies (3 units)
• MERGE 300 - Presentation Skills & Lecture Series (3 units)
• MERGE 400 - Professional Development (3 units)