Application Procedures

Beginning September 2023 for those applying to start in September 2024, OUAC will have one common application for both 101 and 105 applicants.  You can access the common application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/.

1. Categories of Admission

A. Current Ontario High School Students

The 101 application should be used if ALL of the following requirements apply:

• You are taking courses during the day at an Ontario secondary school (this includes students returning for second semester and graduated students returning to upgrade one or more courses)
• You have not, at any point, been out of secondary school for more than seven consecutive months
• You will have received or expect to receive your Ontario Secondary School diploma (OSSD) with six 4U/M courses at the end of the current year
• You have not attended a postsecondary institution (college/university/career college)
• You are applying to the first year of an undergraduate degree program or diploma program at an Ontario university
• You are under 21 years of age.

Use the Undergraduate 101 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101/. Please consult with your secondary school guidance office regarding this application process.

B. All Other Canadian High School Students

For applicants currently attending secondary school outside of Ontario or have recently completed a secondary school diploma in any Canadian province or territory

• Use the OUAC 105 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/.

C. High School Students with International Qualifications

Applicants currently attending or have recently completed a secondary school program outside of Canada

• Use the OUAC 105 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/.

D. University/College Transfer/Continuing Students

If currently registered in or have completed an undergraduate degree program at another university and wish to attend McMaster OR

If currently registered in or have attended or completed a college diploma program and wish to attend McMaster

• Use the OUAC 105 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/.

E. Nursing Consortium Programs

Applying to McMaster’s Nursing (B.Sc.N). programs at the Mohawk College site

• Current Ontario high school applicants - use the OUAC 101 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-101/.
• All other applicant groups use the OUAC 105 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/.

F. Previous McMaster Degree Students (Returning Students)

1. Readmission: If you are a former McMaster student with a record of course enrolment, who was in good standing and who voluntarily withdrew from an undergraduate program more than five years ago (providing you have not attended another university nor received a college diploma since last registered at McMaster). If you are a former Nursing or Physician Assistant student, you must apply for readmission regardless of the amount of time that has elapsed. Apply on-line at: https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/build-degree/continuing-students-second-degree/#tab-20
2. McMaster Second Degree: If you are a McMaster graduate or potential graduate at the end of your current academic term and wish to pursue a second undergraduate degree (providing you have not attended another university nor received a college diploma since last registered at McMaster).
   • Use the McMaster Returning Student Application to apply on-line at https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/build-degree/continuing-students-second-degree/#tab-10
3. Reinstatement: If you are a former McMaster student who was required to withdraw from studies at McMaster.
   • Complete the Reinstatement Request Form found online here: https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/build-degree/reinstatement/. Submit a Service Request in Mosaic and attach the completed form.
4. Continuing Student: If you are a McMaster graduate from an undergraduate program and wish to become a Continuing Student.  You do not need to apply for admission. You will submit a Continuing Student Status Update form as a Service Request in your Mosaic Student Centre.  Once this is approved you will be activated for the requested term and be able to enrol.  You will be subject to any course prerequisites and seat availability.  Access the necessary form online at: https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/build-degree/continuing-students-second-degree/#tab-00.

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

If you are currently enrolled at another university and wish to attend McMaster to take courses on a Letter of Permission for credit at that university

• Use the OUAC 105 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/.

H. Part-Time Degree Studies at McMaster Only

If you wish to begin undergraduate studies on a part-time basis (enrolled in less than 18 units of study)

• Use the OUAC 105 on-line application at https://www.ouac.on.ca/ouac-105/.

I. Post-Degree Studies

If you wish to register as a post-degree student (taking graduate courses but not proceeding to an advanced degree)

• Contact the Graduate Studies Office, Gilmour Hall, Room 212, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8 for information on how to apply to the appropriate academic department(s).

J. Medical Program

See the heading Admission Policy for the Medical Program  in the Faculty of Health Sciences section of this Calendar.

2. Documents

A. Required Documents

A complete application includes: an application form, relevant transcripts and all other documentation stipulated in the Admission Requirements  and specific Faculty sections of this Calendar.  The Admission Office may request clarification and/or additional supporting documentation when applicable.  Application requirements will be available for the applicant to view in their McMaster Applicant Portal.  Upon applying, all applicants receive communication with instructions on how to access the McMaster Applicant Portal.  

Transcripts of marks and/or certificates from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended must be provided. When requested to provide an official transcript, an official signed and sealed transcript record of all academic achievement must be issued and sent by an academic institution directly to McMaster University, Office of the Registrar, Admissions.

If currently attending secondary school, contact a guidance counselor to request your current Grade Report showing all Grade 12 courses. If you previously attended secondary school in another province, you may need to request a transcript containing your secondary school marks from the Ministry or Department of Education in that province if it is not normally provided by your high school..

Where documentation from a school outside of Canada is in a language other than English, transcripts in the original language as well as notarized English translations are required.

For specific document submission requirements and processes/procedures, please review: https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/documents/.

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 enrolment.

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.

B. Retention of Documents

All documentation submitted in support of an application for admission becomes the property of the University and will not be returned.

Documentation for those not accepted or for those who fail to enroll following acceptance, will be destroyed at the end of the admissions cycle. If an applicant reapplies, they must resubmit any required documentation.

3. Application and Documentation Deadlines

McMaster University reserves the right, at its sole discretion, not to accept, process or adjudicate applications or amendments to applications to any program at any time. Meeting minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission to any program at McMaster University. Application fees are non-refundable and you are advised to review admission requirements carefully before applying, to determine your academic eligibility for admission consideration. Please see the Admission Requirements  section of this calendar for general information. University transfer applicants should review Programs (by Degree) and Minors requirements section before applying.  

McMaster University has a number of highly competitive by-selection programs requiring a mandatory supplementary application/assessment, and these programs have early application and supplementary submission deadlines, as specified in the chart below. Failure to apply on time or to submit the required supplementary application/assessment by the specified dates will automatically disqualify applicants for consideration to these specified programs. Submission of an application and/or amendments should be made well in advance of the deadlines listed below.

Fall and Winter Terms

The dates and deadlines listed below are for applications submitted for the 2023-2024 academic year. Please refer to http://future.mcmaster.ca for the date and deadline information for new applications.

Application Deadlines for All Other McMaster Programs for Fall and Winter Terms

*February 1 - Applications from applicants with no postsecondary experience will be reviewed for admission pending space availability in the program. All supporting official documentation must be received by February 15, 2023. All applications received after February 1, 2023, or without all paperwork submitted by February 15, 2023, will be considered only if there is space available in the program.

April 1 - The final date to apply for admission and submit all required documentation for admission consideration is April 1. This final deadline applies to all international and domestic applicants.

Spring/Summer Term

Former McMaster Students: Re-admission / Re-instatement Deadlines for Fall and Winter Terms

Academic Advising for Admitted Students

Applicants offered admission to a program at McMaster, will be asked to confirm acceptance of the offer. Admission offers will include information regarding acceptance procedures, a response deadline and registration procedures. Admission acceptance deadlines specified in the Offer of Admission letter are strictly enforced. Accepting the offer of admission well before the specified deadline date is recommended.

If admitted to Level 1, the Faculty Office may arrange a meeting with an Academic Advisor. Although summer advising and registration sessions are not compulsory, it is recommended to participate.

If offered admission above Level 1, academic advising with the Office of the Associate Dean of the Faculty offering the program, or the Office of the Director of the program may be arranged.

4. Review of Admission and Re-Admission Decisions

No appeal procedure shall be available for decisions on admission or re-admission to the University. Such decisions may be reviewed within the following framework:

1. An applicant to the University believes the admission or re-admission decision, or, in the case of a transfer student the decision to grant credits, is incorrect, or based on incorrect or incomplete information, may, within one week of receiving the decision, request a review of that decision by writing to the Senior Associate Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions, stating why they think the decision should be reviewed.
2. The Senior Associate Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions, shall determine whether the information on which the decision was based was incomplete or incorrect and, if so, shall refer the request for review to the appropriate Faculty Committee. That Committee shall make a final decision and report it to the Senior Associate Registrar, Undergraduate Admissions, who shall then convey the decision in writing to the student.

Enquiries: Application Procedures

For information about applying to McMaster, visit: https://future.mcmaster.ca/apply/, or direct your enquiries to our online chat: https://future.mcmaster.ca/contact-us/