Cutoffs

McMaster admission requirements

100% of McMaster's 47 programs require ENG4U, 87% require MCV4U. Published ranges run from 80% to 93%, with 16 programs at 90 or above. 36 programs want more than marks.

Counted across every McMaster program listed on OUInfo for September 2027 entry. Each program’s own page has its exact wording; this page is the shape of the whole university.

The courses McMaster asks for

How many of McMaster’s 47 programs name each course as required. A required course is forced into your admission average — it counts even if it is not one of your best six.

What you need, by set of courses

McMaster’s programs grouped by the exact courses they require, most common set first, with the span of their published ranges. If your timetable matches a set, every program in it is open to you on courses.

2 rarer sets are on the individual program pages.

Where the published ranges sit

Every McMaster program with a published range, by the bottom of that range. A range is what the university says it will consider, not what it admits at — read the guide to what a range means.

Beyond marks

36 programs need a supplementary application
A portfolio, audition, questionnaire, video or form, due on McMaster’s own date, usually before OUAC closes. Which ones, and what each asks for.
34 programs are admission by selection
Meeting the published range gets you considered, not admitted: the offer depends on the pool that year. Computer Science Co-op I, Computer Science I, Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I- Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I- Civil & Biomedical Engineering, Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I- Discovery Track, Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences I- Electrical & Biomedical Engineering and 28 more.

How McMaster reads your transcript

In McMaster’s own words to guidance counsellors, from the OUAC resource guide (September 2026 entry). Each links to the page comparing every university’s answer. A line carrying a specific 2025 or 2026 date is from last cycle’s edition and marked.

If you repeat a course

We will use the highest grade reported in the calculation of the admission average.

We may ask students who repeated more than 2 courses, or individual courses more than twice, to provide a letter detailing any extenuating circumstances that may have led to repeating multiple courses.

Every university on this

Summer school, night school, e-learning and private school

We accept all Ministry-inspected and -approved courses.

Students may not use summer school courses taken in 2026 to meet the conditions of an offer of admission for September 2026 because the coursework is completed after the June 30, 2026, deadline.last cycle

Every university on this

Your Grade 11 marks

All programs will make offers of admission using Grade 12 grades only.

Midwifery may review Grade 11 Biology, Chemistry and English grades for applicants to the Midwifery program if the mandatory Grade 12 prerequisite courses are in progress at the time of application.

Every university on this

AP and IB

AP: We will consider applicants who completed AP courses for admission to a Level I program.

Applicants who completed the AP exams in acceptable courses with a minimum grade of 4 may be recommended for up to 18 units of advanced credit upon request.

IB: Students may present a full IB diploma or a combination of IB courses (certificate) and 4U/M courses (or equivalent).

Students may request to be evaluated for advanced credit of up to 18 units for completed Higher Level courses with a minimum final score of 5, at the discretion of the faculty.

Every university on this

English proficiency

At our discretion, students may be exempt from submitting an English-language proficiency test if they have: a) resided in an English-speaking country for at least 4 years immediately prior to September 2026 or b) attended an English-medium educational institution in a full-time academic program for at least 4 years immediately prior to September 2026.last cycle

Every university on this

Transfer credit

https://future.mcmaster.ca/university-transfer-student

Every university on this

McMaster deadlines for September 2027How required courses change your average, with the calculatorEvery McMaster program, range and policy