Political Science at McMaster
Not directly. At McMaster University you apply to Social Sciences I, then choose political science at the end of first year.
The program you actually apply to
Social Sciences I
80–87%OUAC MLCo-op available
Prerequisites
- English 4U
- * Completion of Advanced Functions 4U and Calculus & Vectors 4U are strongly recommended for students interested in Economics.
- * Completion of Calculus & Vectors 4U and Biology 4U are strongly recommended for students interested in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour.
When you choose political science
At the end of first year.
What to watch for
Political Science is a Level 2 choice out of Social Sciences I, with co-op available (you apply to co-op at the end of first year too). If your interest is law and political theory, Justice, Political Philosophy and Law is a different program that sits in Humanities I and has its own required above-Level-I supplementary application.
The same application also gets you to
Social Sciences I is the entry point for 4 other majors at McMaster. You are not choosing between these at application time.
Political Science at the other campuses
Compare the entry programs side by side →- AlgomaDirect entry65%
- BrockDirect entry73–77%
- Carletonvia Bachelor of Arts - Honours (CH)75%
- Guelphvia Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours (GK)75–80%
- LakeheadDirect entry70%
- Laurentiannot offered at Laurentian
- Laurier (Waterloo)via Honours Bachelor of Arts (UZ)73–77%
- Nipissingvia Bachelor of Arts (PA)70%
- Ontario TechDirect entry70–73%
- Queen'svia Arts (QA)83–87%
- TMUDirect entry70–75%
- TrentDirect entry70%
- U of T (Mississauga)via Social Sciences73–80%
- U of T (Scarborough)via Social Sciences & Humanities (OUAC TUD)73–80%
- U of T (St. George)via Social Sciences83–90%
- Waterloovia Honours Arts77–80%
- Westernvia Social Science (EO)80–87%
- WindsorDirect entry70–80%
- YorkDirect entry70–77%
Entry routes were researched against each university’s own program pages in 2026-08-16. McMaster’s page. Faculties restructure — confirm before you apply.