Finance, M.Fin

Admission Requirements/Required Documentation

Normally, applicants must have an Honours Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a cumulative grade point average (over the whole length of the degree) of at least B+. Appropriate background for the program includes, but is not limited to, a degree in business, economics or any quantitative-oriented field, with at least a few relevant finance, economics or statistics courses.
The following documents are required in order to apply to the Master of Finance program:

1. Completed on-line application form (Please see a link to the form on http://mfin.degroote.mcmaster.ca/apply/)
2. An official transcript, to be sent directly from the issuing institution. If the final transcript does not show that a completed degree has been conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required.
3. An official GMAT score report. Normally, a minimum score of 600 is required. In lieu of a GMAT score, a comparable GRE score will be considered.
4. Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from an academic source. Please note that McMaster University uses the Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an eReference request on your behalf.
5. An official report of a TOEFL score or an IELTS score (for applicants whose native language is not English). A minimum TOEFL score of 92 (internet-based test) or IELTS score of 6.5 is required. Applicants who have completed a university degree for which English is the language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement.
6. Participation in a video interview.

Program Requirements

The program’s curriculum consists of fifteen half-courses, to be taken over three academic terms (i.e., five half-courses per term). Courses will be taken during Fall/Winter term with a scheduled break which normally occurs in the summer term. This provides an opportunity for students to seek employment, complete external certifications, and/or develop career skills.

Depending on a student’s educational background, some of these half courses may be exempted and replaced with other courses. Requests for course exemptions and/or substitutions should be directed to the Master of Finance Program Administrator at mfin@mcmaster.ca.

In addition to the fifteen half-courses, a career development course (FINANCE 610 ) consisting of lectures and interactive forums is also required. This course is spread over two terms (i.e., Terms 1 and 2). Its goal is to equip students with the necessary professional skills that will be beneficial for their employment search process. Topics covered include: skills assessment, resume and cover letter development, interview skills, networking, and job search strategies.