McMaster University is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, an hour from Toronto. It is best known for medicine and health sciences, engineering and business, and for pioneering the problem-based learning now used in medical schools worldwide. Choose it for a top-5 Canadian research degree with strong co-op options.
Hamilton, Canada
Official website: mcmaster.ca
#176
Top 5 nationally (Times Higher Education)
Top 30 in the world for medicine (THE by Subject)
No. 1 in Canada for research income per faculty member
CA$20,000 – CA$60,000
International students, undergraduate and master's programmes
CA$15,000 – CA$20,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on mcmaster.ca before you apply.
MEng Computing and Software
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 92
MSc Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 92
MBA (DeGroote School of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
20 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MEng Electrical and Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 92
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
16 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BEng Software Engineering
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 86
Problem-based learning — invented at McMaster's medical school and adopted worldwide.
Top 5 in Canada — U15 member with the country's highest research income per professor.
DeGroote School of Business — AACSB-accredited, with a co-op MBA.
Nuclear reactor on campus — the only university research reactor of its kind in Canada.
Engineering and software graduates join Amazon, IBM, Shopify, ArcelorMittal and Toronto's tech sector.
Graduates can work anywhere in Canada for up to three years on a post-graduation work permit.
DeGroote's co-op MBA places most students in paid terms at banks, consultancies and healthcare firms.
Health sciences graduates enter Hamilton Health Sciences, one of Canada's largest hospital networks.
Undergrad
1 Feb 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus sits in Hamilton's west end beside Cootes Paradise nature reserve, a compact site with the medical centre, engineering buildings and student residences within a ten-minute walk.
Hamilton is a former steel city with a growing arts scene, over 100 waterfalls on the escarpment and rents well below Toronto. Toronto is an hour away by GO train.
Letter of acceptance from McMaster
Provincial attestation letter, if required
Proof of funds for tuition and living
Online IRCC study permit application
Medical exam, if requested
Valid passport and biometrics
For September 2027 undergraduate entry, international applicants should apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre by 1 February 2027, with supporting documents due in early April. Graduate deadlines vary: most engineering and computer science master's programmes close between 1 December and 1 February for fall.
Undergraduates start in September. Many course-based MEng programmes also admit for January, and some for May, while thesis-based master's, the MBA and public health are September only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need a Canadian study permit. After you accept your offer, McMaster issues a letter of acceptance and, where required, a provincial attestation letter. You then apply online to IRCC with proof of funds and give biometrics. Allow three to four months for processing.
Computing and software, computer science, the DeGroote MBA, electrical and computer engineering and public health attract the most international applicants. Master's entry needs a four-year bachelor's degree with a B+ average (around 70-75% for Indian degrees), TOEFL 92-100 or IELTS 6.5-7.0. The MBA requires the GMAT or GRE.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for entrance awards based on their admission average, and DeGroote offers merit scholarships to MBA applicants. Thesis-based master's and PhD students usually receive funding packages from their department. Check McMaster's student financial aid pages for current amounts and eligibility.
