McMaster University
Applying to McMaster: OUAC, the many 2027 supplementary applications (Health Sciences, Arts & Science, Kira for engineering), Casper and two review rounds.
- Location
- Hamilton, Ontario
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1887
- Teaching languages
- English
- Apply through
- OUAC
- Official website
- mcmaster.ca
In short
- McMaster was incorporated in 1887 in Toronto and moved to Hamilton, Ontario, in 1930.
- Apply through OUAC; for 2027 entry the OUAC deadline for most first-year programs is January 15, 2027.
- Many programs add a supplementary application: Engineering, Computer Science and BTech use the Kira Talent platform, and these and iBioMed are due January 28, 2027.
- Offers come in two rounds, based first on Grade 12 first-semester results and then on six 4U/M courses.
Overview
McMaster University was incorporated by an Ontario act in 1887 and was first housed at McMaster Hall in Toronto. It moved to Hamilton in 1930 and is now a public research university in the city's west end.
McMaster offers interdisciplinary programs such as Honours Health Sciences, Arts & Science and Honours Integrated Science. These programs set their own admission process, which is why several of them ask for a supplementary application.
How to apply and the 2027 dates
All first-year applications go through OUAC (101 for current Ontario high school students, 105 for everyone else; see OUAC 101 vs 105). For 2027 entry, McMaster's listing in the OUAC guide gives January 15, 2027 as the application deadline for most first-year programs, with Group B nursing applicants at February 1, 2027. Programs entered above Level I, such as Social Work, generally close on April 1, 2027.
Supplementary applications and Casper
McMaster publishes a full list on its supplementary applications page. For Level I (first-year) entry in 2027 it includes:
| Program | Supplementary deadline | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering, Computer Science, BTech | January 28, 2027 | Kira Talent platform (completed once for several Engineering programs) |
| iBioMed | January 28, 2027 | Linked from the Engineering supplementary page |
| Arts & Science | February 1, 2027 | See program website |
| Integrated Business & Humanities | February 1, 2027 | See program website |
| Honours Integrated Science | February 2, 2027 | See program website |
| Honours Health Sciences | Early or mid February 2027 | See program website |
| Nursing | February 1, 2027 | Casper test (book a test date early) |
| Midwifery | February 1, 2027 | Identity and Admissions Survey; Casper only once if you also apply to Nursing |
Kira Talent is a timed online platform with recorded and written responses, so practise thinking aloud. Casper is a situational judgment test; our MMI interview preparation article covers the same kind of ethical and interpersonal reasoning.
How grades are considered
McMaster runs two review rounds for Ontario students. The first, around late February and early March, uses Grade 12 4U/M marks from the end of first semester; you need at least three final grades or six midterm grades, and Arts & Science, Health Sciences, Integrated Science, Nursing and Midwifery make no offers in this round. The second, in late April and early May, uses six 4U/M grades including second-semester midterms, plus the supplementary review for programs that require one. Offers depend on official grades reaching McMaster by May 15, 2027, and courses tied to an offer must be finished by June 30, 2027.
Out-of-province applicants need at least three Grade 12 courses with interim or final grades and proof of second-semester registration.
Costs and funding
Tuition varies by program and by domestic or international status. McMaster posts per-unit fees by faculty on the Office of the Registrar's tuition fees page; check that it shows the year you will start. International students should read the Government of Canada page on studying in Canada for study permit steps.
Getting ready with StudyBrix
- Practise structured spoken answers with the interview and MMI skills deck before Kira or Casper.
- Health Sciences and life sciences students: review biology readiness and chemistry readiness.
- Arts & Science and Health Sciences are writing-heavy; the academic writing and citation deck helps.
See our guide to universities in Canada for how Ontario admissions compare with other provinces.
How applications work everywhere in Canada: Studying at university in Canada.
More universities in Canada
- University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario
- University of British Columbia Vancouver and Kelowna, British Columbia
- McGill University Montreal, Quebec
- University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario
- University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta
- Queen's University Kingston, Ontario
Sources
- McMaster: Supplementary applications
- OUAC: McMaster University guide (2027 entry)
- McMaster University Secretariat: History of McMaster University
- McMaster Office of the Registrar: Tuition fees
- Government of Canada: Study in Canada as an international student
Checked on the official pages above (last update October 26, 2026). Admission rules, deadlines and fees change every year: always confirm on the official pages before you apply. This guide is independent and not affiliated with any university or application service. Found a mistake? Tell us.