University Transfer Students

If you have a university background, you will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and admission is by selection. Most McMaster programs have enrolment limits and admission is by selection. Achieving the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. 

Specific information on transfer credit is given if an offer of admission is made. When you transfer to McMaster University, you will normally receive credit for courses in which you have obtained at least a C- standing (60%+ as per the McMaster grading scale). Transfer credit is ultimately determined by the individual faculties/programs and subject to their requirements.

Our transfer credit tool helps you see course equivalencies from a number of institutions. Note that courses and equivalencies are subject to change.

As a transfer student, you must also satisfy the Residence Requirements:

Most students complete all undergraduate work at McMaster University. However, students who complete work at other universities must meet these minimum requirements:

1. To obtain any four- or five-level, first undergraduate degree:

  • At least two levels (approximately 60 units of work) beyond Level I, including the final level, must be completed at McMaster University.

2. To obtain a three-level, first undergraduate degree:

  • The final level and at least one other level (a minimum of approximately 60 units of work) must be completed at McMaster University
    OR
  • The final level (approximately 30 units of work) including at least 18 units of program-specific requirements must be completed at McMaster University.

3. Courses taken at another university will not count toward the residence requirements.

4. All course work for a second bachelor’s degree must be completed at McMaster University.

5. 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.

NOTE: The University will not accord to you privileges that would not be granted by your own university.

University transfer students wishing to transfer to the same program offered at McMaster University will be required to meet the same course prerequisites for their selected program as current McMaster students must do. Program requirements can be reviewed via the McMaster University Undergraduate Calendar under “Programs (by Degree) and Minors.”

Minimum Cumulative GPA requirements for transfer from another university will vary by faculty and program.

Most undergraduate programs require the core secondary school subject prerequisites for application. For high school course/subject requirements please review the Admission from Secondary Schools section of our Undergraduate Calendar.

The following provides information for specific faculties and programs.

For comprehensive information for university transfer students please visit the DeGroote School of Business website.

For specific program prerequisite requirements, please review your program of interest under the Programs (by Degree) and Minors section of the current Academic Calendar.

Honours Health Sciences

Enrolment in the Honours Health Sciences program is limited and admission is based upon satisfying the admission requirements and the completion of a mandatory supplemental application. Details can be found on the Honours Health Sciences Program website.

Applicants who have completed more than one year of university degree study are not eligible to apply to the Honours Health Sciences program. This program does not accept applications for a Second Degree.

Nursing

Accelerated (F) Stream is open to applicants who have completed another university degree or have completed a minimum of 54 units (2 years) of university degree credits. Applicants with a nursing background will not be considered for this Stream. This program is available on a full-time basis and requires five consecutive terms of study.

Note: The Accelerated (F) Stream is offered only at McMaster University.

For complete information about the Nursing Accelerated stream please review the calendar information here.

Other Programs

For other Health Sciences transfer application requirements, policies and procedures, please use the following links:

Honours B.A. Programs (Greek and Roman Studies, Communication Studies, English & Cultural Studies, History, Philosophy, combined Global Peace and Social Justice)

For consideration, applicants must have satisfactorily completed all admission courses/requirements (normally 3 units of the introductory course in the discipline with a grade of at least C) and possess a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 (C).

 

Honours B.A. in French, Linguistics, Cognitive Science of Language, iArts (Integrated Arts)

For consideration, applicants must have satisfactorily completed all admission courses/requirements (normally 6 to 9 units of the introductory discipline courses with an average of at least 5.0 in the relevant courses) and possess a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 (C).

 

Honours B.A. in Media Arts

For consideration, applicants must have satisfactorily completed all admission courses/requirements with a grade of at least C in the relevant course and possess a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 (C).

Note: this is a limited enrolment program and may require a higher GPA for consideration. This GPA varies from program to program and year to year, depending on the size of the applicant pool.

 

Honours B.A. in Justice, Political Philosophy and Law

For consideration, applicants must have satisfactorily completed all admission courses/requirements, submit a supplementary application, and possess a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 (C).

Note: this is a limited enrolment program and may require a higher GPA for consideration. This GPA varies from program to program and year to year, depending on the size of the applicant pool.

 

Honours B.F.A. in iArts (Integrated Arts)

The Integrated Arts program is a limited enrolment program. For consideration, applicants must have completed all admission courses/requirements with an average of at least 5.0 in relevant courses, a successful electronic creative submission at the time of admission and possess a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 (C).

 

B.A. Programs

For consideration, applicants must have satisfactorily completed all admission courses/requirements (normally 3 units of the introductory course in the discipline with a grade of at least C-) and possess a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.5 (59 per cent).

 

 

For specific program prerequisites and minimum average requirements, please review your program of interest under the Programs (by Degree) and Minors section of the current Academic Calendar.

For limited enrolment programs in Science that do not specify a minimum average requirement, please contact Science via email: science@mcmaster.ca or call at (905) 525-9140 Ext. 22612

For specific program prerequisites and minimum average requirements, review your program of interest here.

For limited enrolment programs in Social Sciences that do not specify an average higher than the minimum average requirement, it is recommended that applicants present a minimum CGPA of B- (70%) to be considered.

For all other undergraduate program options at McMaster please review the program-specific information from the list here.

Enrolment in the Honours Arts & Science Program is limited, and admission is based upon satisfying the admission requirements and the completion of a mandatory Arts & Science Program Supplementary Application. Applicants who would like to apply to transfer into the Arts & Science Program should refer to the Transfer Applicants page on the Arts & Science Program website. This program does not accept applications for a Second Degree.

No admission based on post-secondary studies. Admission is by selection based on high school admission eligibility and Supplementary Application. 

 

Unless otherwise specified in the program information, applicants will apply for transfer or for a second degree via the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC). For all application dates and deadlines, plus information about any supplemental application requirements, please refer to the current Application Guide for McMaster University on the OUAC application site.

University transfer students may be required to pass an acceptable English language proficiency test.  Acceptable tests and their respective minimum score requirements, along with information on English Proficiency waivers, can be found on the English Language Proficiency page.

International Baccalaureate

Diploma or certificate students may request to be evaluated for advanced credit for completed Higher level courses with a minimum final score of 5, at the discretion of the faculty.

Advanced Placement (A.P.) Courses

Applicants who have completed A.P. courses will be considered for admission to a Level I program. Applicants who have completed A.P. exams in acceptable courses with a minimum grade of 4 may be recommended for up to 18 units of advanced credit. An official copy of the final A.P. Exam Results Report is required as part of the advanced credit evaluation process.

Post Secondary Transfer Credits

Please select the “View Courses” link to review McMaster’s transfer credits from other post-secondary institutions. McMaster’s transfer credit tool lets you search by McMaster or external courses.

View Courses

FAQs

How much transfer credit will I receive?

Transfer credit is determined upon receipt of a completed application. If an offer of admission is made, applicants are informed of transfer credit information either in the offer letter or upon acceptance of the offer.

How long will it take to complete my degree if I transfer to McMaster?

The length of time to complete your degree as a transfer is dependent on various factors, including but not limited to transfer credit received, program requirements, and course load. Once you accept your offer, you can connect with your faculty office and discuss your progress and course selection.

How do I know if I am eligible for my program of interest? What are the admission requirements?

Transfer students are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and admission is by selection. Review the admission statement for your program of interest in the Undergraduate Calendar by choosing ‘Programs (by Faculty) and Faculty Information’ in the table of contents. There, you can determine if you believe you have the appropriate equivalent background to be eligible for consideration. Ultimately, only once a completed application is received can your eligibility be determined. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

I want to change majors. Can I apply to Level I?

Level I programs are geared to students with little to no university experience. If you have substantial university course experience, you should consider programs above level I that you qualify for. If admitted to a program for which you qualify, you can explore changing majors at that time and take any introductory courses if eligible to do so.

How do I report extenuating circumstances?

If you have extenuating circumstances that may impact your academic performance, please reach out via this site’s chat function. You will be asked to submit a Request for Special Consideration form. We can direct you on the process and what is required for us to assess your situation as part of your admission. The deadline for form submission is May 1st.