McMaster University
McMaster University sits on a green campus with ivy-covered buildings that blend in with modern buildings made of glass and steel. Pedestrians rule the school grounds, which are located near lakefront conservation areas; cars are not allowed beyond the parking lots located along the campus perimeter. Students are as enthusiastic and engaged as the forward-thinking professors, thanks to the university’s innovative offerings such as integrated programs, where related subjects are taught under one degree, like integrated business and humanities. The inquiry approach—a form of self-directed, problem-based learning—originated at McMaster’s well-respected medical school. Universities around the world, including Harvard, continue to use Mac’s process as a model. The university’s state-of-the-art facilities include a low-powered nuclear reactor, which is used for research and to produce medical isotopes for cancer treatment. Meanwhile, students can take a break at the on-campus planetarium or check out the university’s art gallery and archives. “McMaster is solving the challenges that matter most to people and the planet,” says president David Farrar. “From our global leadership in life-saving health innovations to groundbreaking climate solutions, we are focused on taking our world-class discoveries from the lab into society, where they can help people and communities thrive.”
Campus buzz: The Hub, a new 40,000 square-foot gathering spot at the heart of campus, features collaboration spaces, multi-faith prayer rooms, a community kitchen and a multipurpose event space.
Quick facts
Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$7,642 ($8,805 out-of-province students)
Minimum Entering Grades
Arts: 78-85% | Science: 83-93% | Commerce: 85-90% | Engineering: 88-93%
Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 30,747 | Part-time: 1,358
Graduates: Full-time: 4,597 | Part-time: 890
International Students: First-year: 11.6% | Graduate: 36.5%
Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 4,644 (4,000 reserved for first-year students)
Cost of double room with meals: $14,260 to $15,795
Cost of single room with meals: $15,320 to $16,620
Cost of apartment-style: $8,590 to $10,950
Standout programs
Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences: This interdisciplinary program provides a strong theoretical foundation as well as practical hands-on, project-based learning with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and solving real-world problems.
Life Sciences: Students prepare for a variety of careers in science and beyond through hands-on lab experience in state-of-the-art facilities, interactive classroom lectures and dynamic online content.
Nursing: Three bachelor of science in nursing programs, including the McMaster–Mohawk Nursing collaborative B.Sc.N., provide a well-rounded education that integrates theory, practice and critical thinking.
