Your next steps to submit your application to McMaster.
If you’re a high school applicant, visit the Future Students website to learn more about next steps.
Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis and admission is by selection. A completed application must be received in order to assess eligibility.
View the different categories of non-high school applicants to find general information, program availability, and requirements.
The university’s Undergraduate Academic Calendar houses the admission and program requirements for all undergraduate degree programs. Each year’s calendar has a section called ‘Programs (by Faculty) and Faculty Information’. You can use this to explore the many degree programs McMaster offers.
If you have other questions about a prospective program, please contact the faculty office to which the program belongs.
Dates and deadlines will vary for each program. View the list of deadlines for programs requiring a mandatory supplementary application. Generally, all other programs that do not require a supplementary application are available to apply to until April 1.
All programs have enrolment limits and may become full prior to the published deadlines. We recommend completing your application in advance of these dates.
To apply, you will need to submit your application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).
Once you have submitted your application through the OUAC, you will receive a ‘Next Steps’ email from McMaster within a few business days, giving you your login information for your McMaster Applicant Portal and access to your application checklist. Be sure you have ‘@mcmaster.ca’ marked as a safe sender in your email!
Please note: If you are a former McMaster student, you might be using a different application. Learn more about the process for former students.
Transcripts: You can upload unofficial transcripts directly to your applicant portal. This is the quickest and most efficient way to get your application completed. If you are granted a conditional offer, we will require official transcripts at that time.
English Language Proficiency (ELP): Discover more about McMaster’s ELP requirements.
Supplementary application: If your checklist includes a supplementary application, select the link in the checklist to learn more about the requirements. Most programs will also communicate about the supplementary application by email. Be sure to monitor for this and reach out to the program to which you applied if you have any questions or concerns.
Gaps in educational timeline: This requirement may appear on your checklist to clarify any gaps in your academic history. Select on the link provided in your checklist to fill in the form and complete this checklist item.
Other items: Checklists are customized to each applicant. Please continuously monitor yours for any updates or changes.
If extenuating circumstances have impacted your academic performance, please contact our live chat for assistance. You will be asked to submit a Request for Special Consideration form. A Student Services Professional will guide you through the process and inform you of the requirements needed for us to assess your situation as part of your admission. The deadline for form submission is May 1.
Once your applicant checklist is complete, your application will be put forward for review.
Decisions for most programs are released starting in early May with some programs releasing decisions as early as March. Be sure to visit the website of your program of interest to learn more about the timing of offers.
Spaces can be very limited in upper-year programs. Some programs will require both your fall and winter term final grades before making decisions for college or university transfer students.
If you receive an offer of admission, your letter will include instructions on how and by when to accept the offer, as well as a separate deadline for clearing any conditions and submitting official documents.
If you are not given an offer, your letter will normally outline the reason for the decision. Decisions are final and unfortunately cannot be appealed.
Congratulations and welcome to the McMaster Community! Your offer letter will provide helpful links on your next steps as an incoming student. Please contact your Faculty Office for any questions on transfer credit, course enrolment, and program requirements.