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McMaster University: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements

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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 21 Sep '24, by Anushree Sinha (Study Abroad Expert)

McMaster University
What’s new?

For McMaster University admissions, students must apply within the application deadlines listed below:

  • OUAC Application Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
  • Final Deadline: Apr 1, 2025
  • Spring/Summer (May Start) Deadline: Apr 1, 2025
  • Spring/Summer (Jun Start) Deadline: May 15, 2025

About McMaster University

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Year of establishment
1887
University website
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Student website
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Total foreign students
2823
Campus size
300 acres
No. of campus
1
Scholarships available
37
Endowment value
CAD 704 million
Accepted exams
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q:   Is McMaster University hard to get into?

A: 

McMaster University Canada is not the most competitive university to get into, as its acceptance rate stands at 59%. This figure tells us that almost 59 out of every 100 applicants manage to get enrolled in the university, which is more than half of all the applicants. Therefore, once an applicant fulfills McMaster Uni admission requirements, i.e., academic qualifications, standardized test scores, English language requirements, as well as relevant documents, they are most likely to secure an admission in the university. However, students must not take this lightly and apply to the university within the deadlines in order to get enrolled as a student.

Q:   Is studying at McMaster University expensive?

A: 

Studying at McMaster University can be considered expensive for Indian students as the annual tuition cost is around INR 25 L - 30 L on an average. Students can refer to the table for course-specific fees requirements:

Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
MBA/PGDM (10 courses)
INR 7 L - 41 L
UG / BTech (46 courses)
INR 26 L - 38 L
MS (37 courses)
INR 7 L - 26 L
BSc (42 courses)
INR 23 L - 36 L
BA (71 courses)
INR 23 L - 28 L
MA (20 courses)
INR 7 L - 15 L
UG Diploma (5 courses)
INR 4 L - 34 L
UG certificate (10 courses)
INR 2 L - 9 L
MIM (8 courses)
INR 7 L - 34 L

Q:   How long does getting an offer letter from McMaster University take?

A: 

Once the candidate has submitted their application online, they receive an email confirming that the application has been successfully submitted, within a few days. However the application process varies for each applicant and program as there is no provided specific dates for admission decisions.

Q:   Is there an application fee for McMaster University?

A: 

Yes, all the international candidates must pay an application fee while applying for admissions at McMaster University Canada. Listed below are the details of the McMaster University application fee for undergraduates, graduates, and MBA aspirants:

Course LevelApplication Fee
Undergraduate Courses (If applying through OUAC)

Base Application Fee: CAD 156 (9.5 K)

International Service Fee: CAD 10 (INR 616)

All Graduate Courses (Except MBA & Master of Finance Courses)CAD 110 (INR 6.7 K)
MBA & Master of Finance Courses

CAD 150 (INR 9.2 K)

Conversion Rate: 1 CAD = INR 61.60

Q:   How can I get into McMaster University from India?

A: 

McMaster University accepts country-specific qualifications for admissions, from overseas applicants. Indian candidates who wish to pursue their higher studies from the university, must meet the McMaster University admission requirements for Indian students listed below:

Undergraduate Requirements:

CBSE / CISCE

  • All India Senior School Certificate granted by CBSE / Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE;
  • Year XII State board exams with excellent results;
  • Five Class XII subjects, including all compulsory pre-requisite subjects for the selected program;
  • Average is calculated on class XII predicted grades; and
  • Minimum average scores required vary from course to course.

Graduate Requirements:

  • An honors bachelor's degree in relevant field (or equivalent); and
  • Minimum average grade required is B+ (based on a full-year equivalent of final-year courses).

McMaster University Scholarships 2025

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Alternative Star Icon37 exclusive scholarships availableAlternative Star Icon6.5 Cr worth total scholarship amount
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Commonly asked questions
On Scholarships

Q:   Does McMaster University offer scholarships to international students?

A: 

Yes, McMaster University offers scholarships and financial aid to international students on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Every year, the university offers more than CAD 20 million in scholarships, awards and bursaries to their overseas undergraduate students. Some of the most popular McMaster Uni scholarships are Dundas Scholarships, McMaster University Award of Excellence, and International Renewable Entrance Awards.

In order to avail the McMaster University scholarships, international student must be:

  • Be paying international tuition fees;
  • Be enrolled in courses full-time (fall and winter); and
  • Finalize the offer of admission.

Q:   Do universities in Canada offer scholarships to international students?

A: 

Opting to study abroad is a major step that student take for their career and managing the expenses (including the tuition fee and living costs) play a deciding factor in this decision. Here is where scholarships dive in and help students study in their dream college by cutting down a portion of their expenses. Here are some scholarships offered by the top universities in Canada that are available for international students:

McMaster University Admissions 2025

  • Application fees :CAD 59 - 156
  • Type of deadline :Regular
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNot required
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNeeded for few courses
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Calendar IconImportant dates
Intake seasonDeadline
Fall1ˢᵗ Feb 2025
Spring29ᵗʰ Dec 2023 - 30ᵗʰ Nov 2024
Summer30ᵗʰ Jan 2024
Winter5ᵗʰ Oct 2023 - 14ᵗʰ Aug 2024
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q:   When can I apply for admissions at McMaster University Canada?

A: 

McMaster University allows overseas candidates to apply through one of the four intake seasons: Spring/Summer, and Fall/Winter. Listed below are the McMaster University Canada application deadlines for international students:

ParticularsDeadline
OUAC Application DeadlineJan 15, 2025
Final DeadlineApr 1, 2025
Spring/Summer (May Start)Apr 1, 2025
Spring/Summer (Jun Start)May 15, 2025

Q:   Does admission to McMaster University require IELTS score?

A: 

Yes, meeting the English language requirements is one of the major McMaster University eligibility criteria for international students. Students can refer to the table below for the minimum score requirements:

English Proficiency Exam

Minimum Score Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall score of 6.5 or higher

(with minimum of 6.0 in each band)

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 86 or higher

(with no less than 20 in each component)

PTE Academic

Overall score of 60 or higher

(with at least 60 in Writing and Speaking)

Q:   What are some helpful tips for students starting their first year at McMaster University?

A: 

McMaster University is one of the best universities in Canada and students across the world desire to study here. Listed below are some helpful tips for students starting their first semester at the university:

  • Join clubs and participate actively in co-curricular activities;
  • Build a schedule and stay organized;
  • Engage in part-time jobs on and off campus;
  • Enjoy the beautiful city of Hamilton;
  • Do not procastinate studying; and
  • Find out a way to de-stress and engage in fun activities/events.

Q:   Is McMaster University hard to get in?

A: 

McMaster University acceptance rate is 59%, which make it difficult for international students to get into the university. The university Admission process involves a thorough evaluation process, Considering academic excellence, essays, Letter of recommendation, SOP, extracurricular activities and many more. Applicants are suggested to approach the admission process with utter dedication, showcasing their strengths and talents. Beyond the numerical, McMaster is a great institution with an exceptional education and renowned faculty. 

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for international students at McMaster University?

A: 

Based on the ratio of admissions to applications, the McMaster University acceptance rate stands at 59%. Since, the stats are on the higher end, we can conclude that the university is moderately competitive to get into, as it admits more than half of the applicants. Once an applicant fulfills the McMaster University Canada requirements, i.e., academic qualifications, standardized test scores, English language requirements, as well as relevant documents, they are most likely to secure an admission in the university. However, students must not take this lightly and apply to the university within the deadlines in order to get enrolled as a student.

Note: The data has been derived from unofficial sources and is subjected to changes.

McMaster University Fees

Accordion Icon V3
Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
B.Sc.(42 courses)
INR 23 L - 35 L
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 86 & Above, PTE: 60 & Above
MS(37 courses)
INR 7 L - 25 L
Duration8 months-5 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 88 - 92, PTE: 70 & Above
B.E. / B.Tech(46 courses)
INR 25 L - 37 L
Duration4-5 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 86 & Above, PTE: 60 & Above
B.A.(71 courses)
INR 23 L - 27 L
Duration3-4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 86 & Above, PTE: 60 & Above
M.A.(20 courses)
INR 7 L - 17 L
Duration12 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 100 & Above
UG certificate(10 courses)
INR 2 L - 9 L
Duration6 months-1 year
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 86 & Above, PTE: 60 & Above
MEng(10 courses)
INR 7 L - 31 L
Duration12 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 88 - 92, PTE: 70 & Above
UG Diploma(5 courses)
INR 4 L - 33 L
Duration8 months-1 year
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 5 - 6.5, TOEFL: 70 - 86, PTE: 40 - 60
MASc(9 courses)
INR 7 L - 12 L
Duration1 year-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 88 - 92, PTE: 63 - 70
MBA/PGDM(10 courses)
INR 7 L - 41 L
Duration12-28 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 - 7.5, TOEFL: 92 - 100, GMAT: 600 & Above
Read more
View Course Wise Fees ->
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility

Q:   What is the cost of living at McMaster University Canada?

A: 

McMaster University is relatively affordable in terms of the cost of living, as compared to other universities in Canada. Given below is the breakdown of the expenses of attending the university:

ParticularsAnnual CostCost in INR
HousingCAD 6,475 - CAD 10,950INR 4 L - 6.7 L
MealsCAD 3,510 - CAD 4,110INR 2.1 L - 2.5 L
Residence Life Health & Well-being FeeCAD 44INR 2.7 K
Books & SuppliesCAD 1,215INR 74.8 K
TransportationCAD 1,000INR 61.5 K
EntertainmentCAD 1,000INR 61.5 K
Personal CostsCAD 1,000INR 61.5 K
TOTALCAD 14,244 - CAD 19,319INR 8.7 L - 11. 9 L

Conversion Rate: 1 CAD = 61.60

Q:   What are the requirements to get into McMaster?

A: 

In order to secure an enrollment, international students must fulfill the McMaster University admission requirements listed below:

Undergraduate Courses : 

  • All India Senior School Certificate Awarded by CNSE/Indian School Certificate awarded by CISCE;

  • Year 12 State Board Exams with excellent results will also be considered individually;

  • 5 class XII subjects, including all mandatory prerequisite subjects for the selected program ;

  • Average is calculated on class XII predicted grades;

  • Must have a minimum average however, the admission consideration varies by program;

  • Applicants must need to have their Class X documents result ready;

  • Class XI transcripts;

  • Class XII predicted grades; and

  • English language requirements.

Postgraduate Courses 

  • Honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent;

  • B+ (B- for Engineering) minimum average, based on a full year of final year courses i.e 3rd/4th level relevant to that particular program;

  • Each programme has different additional/higher requirements, and reviewing the programme webiste for details is highly suggested;

  • Degrees from overseas universities are evaluated for their equivalency to McMasters. Please contact or review the programme for specific details;

  • Some Graduate courses might ask for additional requirments, such as GRE;

  • Admission is said to be competitive: meeting the minimum requirments does not guarantee admission; and

  • English language requirements.

Q:   How much does MBA cost at McMaster University?

A: 

For international students, the McMaster University MBA fees is CAD 113,500 (INR 70 L) per academic year. Note that the duration of this MBA course is 20 months - 2 years. It is expensive to study this course, however, the return on investment is quite impressive as the graduates secure top-notch placements. Given below are the details of the salary:

ParticularsReturn on Investment (ROI)
Average SalaryCAD 81,900 (INR 50 L)
Average Signing BonusCAD 9,900 (INR 6 L)
the highest SalaryCAD 128,800 (INR 79.3 L)
the highest Signing BonusCAD 50,900 (INR 31.3 L)
the lowest SalaryCAD 44,500 (INR 27.4 L)
the lowest Signing BonusCAD 1,500 (INR 92.3 K)

Conversion Rate: 1 CAD = INR 61.60

Q:   What are the requirements for MBA course at MCMasters University?

A: 

In order to get into McMaster University for MBA, international applicants must fulfill the admission requirements listed below:

  • Applicants need a minimum GPA requirement of 8.0 which is a B average. Applicants with a GPA below 8.0 may be able to qualify for GMAT waiver. However, the University still asks the applicants to submit a GMAT score;

  • 2 Letter of Recommendations (One academic and one from a direct supervisor or manager);
  • At least 1 year work experience in any field;

  • Resume showing professional experience;
  • If a GMAT is not awarded, the applicants will still be welcomed and reviewed equally .Submission of one of the below teasts will be required at the time of application:

  1. GRE

  2. MCAT

  3. CFA level 2

  • Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements listed below: 

    English Language Proficiency Tests

    Minimum requirments 

    TOEFL iBT

    A minimum score of 100

    IELTS

    Minimum score of 7.0 

McMaster University Placements

Top Recruiters

Credit Suisse
Intel
Accenture
Procter Gamble
Du Pont
arcelor mittal
Cisco Systems
Bayer CropSciences
IBM
Exxon
Deloitte
Kodak
Motorola
NOKIA
3M
Deutsche Bank
Frito Lays
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Ernst & Young
Siemens
Honda Two Wheelers
KPMG
Morgan Stanley
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Commonly asked questions
On Placements

Q:   What are the career opportunities for McMaster University graduates?

A: 

Most of the McMaster University Canada graduates get placed in industries such as Business Development, Healthcare Services, Education, Operations, Engineering, and more, as per the historical data of the university's alumni. Given below is a graphical representation of the top industries in which the McMaster Uni graduates work:

McMaster University Sectors Placed

Note: In the above pie chart, Others include Program & Project Management, Media & Communication, Human Resources, Marketing, and Consulting.







McMaster University Rankings 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings

Q:   How is McMaster University ranked?

A: 

When it comes to McMaster University rankings, it is a part of the top 150 global universities with the rank #176 in Best Global Universities in the 2025 edition of QS World University Rankings. Compared to its rank in 2024, the university has observed an improving trend in QS Rankings, from its position #189 in 2024. In Times Higher Education (THE) - World University Rankings 2024, the university has obtained the rank #103. McMaster University has observed a decline in its ranking in comparison to the rank #85 in 2023. According to US News & World Report Rankings 2024, McMaster University stands at #127 in Best Global Universities. McMaster has observed an improvement in its rankings in this category as well, when compared to its previous year ranking of #138.

Listed below is the three-trend of McMaster University global rankings:

Ranked By202320242025
QS World University Rankings - Global#152#189#176
THE World University Rankings - Global#85#103-
US News & World Report - Global#133#138-

Q:   Why is Shiksha Grading better than other ranking bodies?

A: 

For the students looking forward to study abroad, the ranking of a university plays a crucial role in decision-making. However, the availability of multiple rankings online can be overwhelming for the university's international audience. All the top ranking bodies rank universities on the basis of different parameters, which can be hard to understand for first-time study abroad aspirants. Keeping this in mind, the Shiksha Study Abroad has launched Shiksha Grading. It caters the Indian audience and ranks all the universities with Indians as their target audience.

What makes Shiksha Grading stand out is that the website uses the aggregate of all the publicly available university and course rankings from top-ranking publishers and maps it into 9 buckets - A++, A+, A, B+, B, C+, C. In this method, universities are graded by country and courses are graded by availability at the college in a particular country. With the help of this, students will no longer be required to check multiple ranking organisations to know about the performance of a particular university. Students would only be required to check Shiksha Grading – a platform where all the top rankings from popular ranking groups would be normalised and all universities would be graded into 9 buckets - A++, A+, A, B+, B, C+, C.

Q:   What are the top 5 universities in Canada?

A: 

According to the QS World University Rankings 2025 and Times Higher Education (THE) - World University Rankings 2024, the top 5 universities in Canada are:

University

QS World Ranking 2025

THE Ranking 2024

University of Toronto

#25

#21

McGill University

#29

#49

University of British Columbia

#38

#41

University of Alberta

#96

#109

University of Waterloo

#115

#158

Compared to the US, Canadian universities provide cheaper tuition fees, easy application process, and more opportunities for permanent residency after graduation.

McMaster University
College comparison

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Compare McMaster University with other similar colleges

B.Sc.
MS
B.E. / B.Tech
B.A.
M.A.
UG certificate
MEng
UG Diploma
MASc
MBA/PGDM
College1st Year Tuition FeesShiksha GradeRanking

McMaster University

INR 22.51 L - 35.19 LA+#176 QS, 2025

Western University

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INR 21.68 L - 23.64 LA#120 QS, 2025

York University

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INR 19.59 L - 25.48 LB+#362 QS, 2025

Queen's University

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INR 20.4 L - 53.43 LB++#193 QS, 2025

McGill University

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INR 12.99 L - 38.2 LA+#29 QS, 2025

University of Windsor

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INR 10.29 L - 20.08 LC++#547 QS, 2025
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
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McMaster University
Studying in Canada

Key Facts About Canada

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in Canada
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156+
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4.27L
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24 Hours Per Week
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2 Years
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Ottawa
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40.5M (2023)
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1%
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Montreal-8-1
Vancouver37
Calgary-130
Toronto-33
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McMaster University Notable Alumni

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McMaster University Campus Life

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Commonly asked questions
On Others

Q:   What is it like to live near McMaster University, Canada?

A: 

McMaster University Canada has a beautiful and vibrant campus, which is very welcoming for international students. Some of the perks of staying near McMaster University are the access to a variety of cafes and restaurants that are located nearby, the university's excellent parking facilities as well as bus services, and more. Hamilton, the city in which the university is based is renowned as the steel town. However, the university is located quite far from the industrial area.

Q:   Why should I study in Canada?

A: 

Some of the benefits of studying in Canada for international students include:

  • World-class universities:  Canadian universities are ranked among the top universities in the world. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, a total of 9 Canadian universities are within the first 200 ranks. Whereas, in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Universities Rankings 2023, a total of 7 universities are in the 200 ranks.
  • Affordable education: Compared to the US and UK, the tuition fee in Canada is fairly cheaper. If we consider the return on investment, Canada is quite a viable option for Indian students. One can also apply for a range of Canadian scholarships to cut down the educational expenses.
  • Cultural diversity: There are very welcoming and warm people who come from varied ethnic groups with different cultures and lifestyles. This multicultural environment in Canada is one of the noteworthy factors that attract international students as it promotes friendliness and peaceful living like no other country. In Canada, there are more than 250 ethnic origins along with 200 languages from around the world and 70 indigenous languages spoken.
  • Lively and vibrant campus life: At Canadian universities, students can expect fests, events, and activities to be conducted throughout the year. This creates a lively and happy environment for all the students as it helps in making a network and meeting new people, whilst keeping the homesickness away.
  • Immigration opportunities: The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP Canada) in Canada shall allow students to stay there and get some work experience after the completion of graduation. The maximum length of a PGWP is three years.

McMaster University 
FAQs

Q:   How many international students does McMaster University host?

A: 

McMaster University is home to more than 37,589 students. Out of these, international students make up 17% of the student population and represent 120 countries around the globe.

Particulars

Headcount/Percentage

Total Students

37,589

International Students

17%

Nationalities Represented

120

Undergraduate Students

32,102

Graduate Students

5,487

International Graduate Students

31.1%

Q:   What are the admission requirements to study in Canada?

A: 

As per the choice of course and university, the eligibility requirements to study in Canada varies. For international students, some of the basic admission requirements to study in Canada are given below:

qna

McMaster University

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a week ago

Living expenses at McMaster University for one academic year in Canada amount to $12,260 CAD, which account for accommodations, food, transport, and all personal costs. There is a difference in paying fees based on the type of residence and the range is around $6,250 to 10,400 CAD per year. Typicall

...more

A

Addula Yaswanth

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Bishop's University and McMaster University are both well-known and reputed universities located in Canada. There are multiple parameters that need to be taken into consideration to determine which university is better than BU and McMaster University such as the programs offered, tuition fee, schola

...more

N

Nikita Peter

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 months ago

Western University and McMaster University are both top-ranking public universities located In Canada. According to the top-ranking publishers, Western University ranked #201-250 in 2024 in the World University Rankings. On the contrary, McMaster University ranked #103 in the World University Rankin

...more

N

Nikita Peter

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 months ago

The acceptance rate at Thompson Rivers University is around 82%, indicating that out of 100 applicants around 82 students will be granted admission to the university hence making admission to TRU University somewhat easy. On the contrary, the acceptance rate at McMaster University is around 59% maki

...more

N

Nikita Peter

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 months ago

The acceptance rate at Thompson Rivers University is around 82%, indicating that out of 100 applicants around 82 students will be granted admission to the university hence making admission to TRU University somewhat easy. On the contrary, the acceptance rate at McMaster University is around 59% maki

...more

N

Nikita Peter

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Anushree Sinha

Study Abroad Expert

Anushree is a Graduate in Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and takes keen interest in content creation. She has affinity for writing and travelling around the world takes the top spot on her bucket list. Bringing out the creativ...Read Full Bio

McMaster University

McMaster University Others(1)Hamilton Hall
McMaster University Others(2)John Hodgins Engineeering Building
McMaster University Others(3)David Braley Athletic Centre
McMaster University Others(4)Accommodation
McMaster University Others(5)Health Sciences Centre

McMaster University
Location

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University CityHamilton, Ontario, Canada

McMaster University
Campuses

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McMaster University CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4L8

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McMaster University
Contact Information

Address

1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4L8
Hamilton ( Ontario)

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