McMaster University Exchange Fact Sheet

Course Listings

Undergraduate Students

Use the MyTimetable Tool to find courses offered during the current calendar year. Incoming exchange students may also review the Academic Calendar for Undergraduate students to find a list of courses offered, however please note this is a historical collection of all courses. Undergraduate courses begin with numbers 1-4. The updated UG course schedule is released in May each year. Undergraduate exchange students will be registered in Level 3 at McMaster and should expect to take mostly Level 2 and Level 3 courses. Enrolment in Level 4 and many Level 1 courses is generally reserved for McMaster students. Access to Level 1 elective courses may be given, space permitting.

Graduate Students

Use the PDF of all GRAD course offerings to find courses offered during the current calendar year. Students wishing to study at the graduate level must be currently enrolled in an equivalent graduate level program at their home university and enrolled in their second year of master’s study (5th year). Students are expected to take graduate courses at the 700-level and will be admitted at the department level. As graduate (non-MBA) courses are often offered on a biennial basis (every two years), incoming exchange students may also review the SGS Graduate Calendar, however please note this is a historical collection of all courses, so the best route would be to contact the graduate administrator for the most updated information/advice. Graduate students must be flexible in their course selections. The updated Graduate course schedule is released in June each year.

Note: With the permission of their home university, graduate students may request to take 1 course at the undergraduate level (600 and below), with the exception of courses from the School of Business.

MBA Students

Visit the MBA website and select the term you wish to join McMaster for a list of MBA Courses available. Students are expected to take final year 700-level MBA courses only.

Undergraduate

One course typically consists of 3 units. A full-time course load is 9 to 15 units per term (3 to 5 courses). Engineering students may take up to 18 units (6 courses).

Graduate

A full-time course load is 6-9 units (2-3 courses) at 700 level per term

MBA

A full-time course load is 4-5 courses per term.

Course Outlines

Course outlines are most often found on the individual department webpages.

Undergraduate

• Business
• Science
• Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Computing & Software, Electrical & Computer, Physics, Materials, Mechanical).
• Humanities
• Social Science (First select department)
• Health Sciences (Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Honours Health Sciences Program)

Graduate

• (By request from program office)

MBA

• Course Outlines

Undergraduate

Official course registration for both Semester 1 and 2 takes place in mid-June and is done online. Students may also drop/add courses during the two-week window at the beginning of each academic term.

Students who are nominated outside the official nomination/application deadlines will be registering for classes late and some classes may no longer be available. Late applicants must be flexible with their study plan and check our MyTimetable tool for availability before they apply.

Graduate

Graduate course registration takes place in mid-July each year. It is important to note that graduate students are only permitted to register in undergraduate courses (600 and below) AFTER undergraduate registration has taken place. This means that some undergraduate courses may not be available for graduate students due to seat restrictions. Graduate students should expect to take no more than 1 course at the undergraduate level.

MBA

MBA course registration takes place in early July each year.

Undergraduate

We recommend students have maintained a B- cumulative average to apply for the exchange program.

Graduate/MBA

GPA Requirement:

• Engineering - 7.0/12.0 or 2.70/4.00
• All other Faculties - 9.0/12.0 or 3.30/4.00
• *These are minimums. Individual departments may require higher admissions averages.

Undergraduate

General Restrictions

Students accepted at the undergraduate level are NOT eligible to take courses at the graduate (master) level. Exchange with the Arts & Science Program is not permitted, with the exception of the ARTSSCI 4MN2 / Movement and Integration course. Please note, this course is not offered every year.

Faculty of Humanities

Media Arts and Integrated Arts (iArts) courses are restricted but may be open to students registered in a similar program at their home university (space permitting). Students interested in these courses should contact McMaster early to check availability and, if interested in Integrated Arts, may be asked to submit a portfolio. MELD courses are not open to exchange students. Level 4 Humanities courses are generally not open to exchange students.

Faculty of Engineering

The Bachelor of Technology (BTECH) program is not available to exchange students. Some courses in the BTECH program, along with Computer Science and Software Engineering courses, are available but very limited to exchange students. Engineering students are permitted to register in most Level 4 courses.

Faculty of Social Sciences

Students applying for ‘PNB’ (Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour) courses must have completed ‘A’ Level Mathematics and at least ‘O’ level Biology. This would equate to university Calculus and grade 12 Biology (highest biology level in high school). Students applying to the psychology program must provide copies of A and O Levels.

Faculty of Science

Enrolment in Science Inquiry and Senior Projects is restricted (may be waived on case-by-case basis). Students should email McMaster in advance to confirm eligibility. Students within the Faculty of Science may be permitted to take courses within the Faculty of Health Sciences. This will depend on seat availability and sufficient background knowledge. Students will be considered on a case by case basis, negotiating all requests with their McMaster academic advisor.

DeGroote School of Business

The Economics program is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and not part of the School of Business. This may affect some students’ eligibility for Commerce courses depending on the agreement between McMaster and a partner university. Students should have a background in Business in order to apply. Courses in the Integrated Business and Humanities program (IBH) are not available. Exchange students are not permitted to take the following courses: Commerce 1GRO, Commerce 2GRO, Commerce 3GRO, Commerce 4GR3, Commerce 1TS0, Commerce 2INO, Commerce 3MD3, Commerce 4AK3, Commerce 4EL3, Commerce 4FP3, Commerce 3ME3, Commerce 4FW3, Commerce 4QA3, Commerce 4SY3

Non-commerce courses that are restricted to students within their home faculty or require department consent.

All IBH courses are not permitted, with the exception of IBH 3AD3 – Cross Cultural Communication.

Faculty of Health Sciences

[Restricted] By partnership agreement only.

Graduate Level

General Restrictions

Undergraduate courses/programs: Any undergraduate course offered within the DeGroote School of Business is not open to graduate students of any discipline.

Graduate courses/programs not available:

• Masters of Finance
• Executive Business Administration (EMBA).
• Professional Accountancy (Diploma)
• MiNDS Neuroscience.
• Global Health 702 - Global Health Foundations (Course)
• Masters of Health Management
• Interdisciplinary Studies – some courses crossing with the Faculty of Health Sciences may not be available.

Faculty of Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering limits the total number of exchange students in its programs’ graduate courses at any time to 20, with a limit of five in each academic unit. These limits do not apply to visiting students who do not take courses while at McMaster. Inbound exchange students who submit complete applications and meet all requirements will be reviewed and accepted on a first-come first-serve basis until the maximum number per department, or the Engineering faculty, is reached.

Faculty of Health Sciences (restricted – agreement specific)

The Faculty of Health Sciences hosts exchange students as part of specific agreements between FHS graduate programs and their international partner organizations. Outside of these agreements, international graduate students who wish to conduct research with individual faculty members without being enrolled in an FHS-affiliated program can apply as “visiting students”. Visiting students conduct research but do not take graduate courses.

Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities welcomes two exchange students per department per semester, with a total of 24 welcomed in an academic year. Inbound exchange students who meet the program and department requirements will be reviewed and accepted on a first-come first-served basis until the limit per department is reached.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science allows 10-12 exchange students in its programs’ graduate courses at any time. Each program reserves the right to welcome more or less students depending on their capacity. Inbound exchange students who submit complete applications and meet all requirements will be reviewed and accepted on a first-come first-serve basis until capacity is reached.

Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences accepts up to 15 exchange students per academic year. Each department within the faculty accepts 1-2 exchange students per semester, depending on program availability and capacity. Inbound exchange students who submit complete applications and meet all requirements will be reviewed and accepted based on the host department's ability to accept students.

MBA

The DeGroote School of Business limits the total number of exchange students in its programs’ graduate courses at any time to twenty. These limits do not apply to visiting students who do not take courses while at McMaster. Inbound exchange students who submit complete applications and meet all requirements will be reviewed and accepted on a first-come first-serve basis until the maximum number per department is reached.

Inbound exchange students are not permitted to take undergraduate courses in the School of Business, nor to take courses with the following codes: I600 level, 650 level, HSM C700, T level, D700.

Transcripts/Grades

A transcript is a copy of a student’s permanent academic record at McMaster University, duly certified by the Registrar and bearing the embossed seal of the University. A transcript is privileged information and is available by submitting a request via . A transcript reflects the current status of the student record at the time it is issued.

Students can view their grades via their transcript or in their Mosaic Student Centre. Information on the McMaster grading scale for undergraduate and graduate students can be found on the website for the Office of the Registrar.

Types of transcript requests

More information on how to request a transcript can found here.

*Transcripts are available to current students and alumni who have no financial holds on their record.

**Given the expansion of transcript service options and ease of electronic delivery, the McMaster Exchange Program will no longer send official hardcopies by mail at the end of the exchange period. Students will instead be sent instructions on how to send a transcript by their preferred method to their home university coordinator.

COVID-19

Exchange students and partners can access McMaster’s COVID-19 strategy and related updates on our Back to Mac website.

University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)

Ontario's University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is mandatory for all international and exchange students studying in Ontario. The UHIP fee will be automatically charged to the students’ mosaic account. Payment is due within the first month of study.

UHIP is a comprehensive plan appropriate for coverage in the Province of Ontario only. Students travelling outside of Ontario or Canada must purchase travel medical insurance . UHIP coverage begins on the tenth day of the month before the academic term start date or the student’s scheduled arrival date in Canada, whichever is later.

General information on UHIP at McMaster

For details on what is and is not included in UHIP

(!) Not covered under UHIP:

• Prescription Medication
• Dental Care
• Vision Care

Students requiring health insurance for prescription medications, dental and/or vision care should seek out alternative insurance well in advance of departure to Canada. McMaster is not able to advise on third-party health care options.

McMaster Students Union (MSU) Health & Dental Plan

The MSU Health and Dental plan is not available to incoming exchange students.

Student Accessibility & Wellness

Students who may require additional services or accommodations during their exchange with McMaster should notify McMaster as soon as possible to confirm availability.

The below websites will provide students and counsellors with further information on services available at McMaster.

Student Wellness Centre

Student Accessibility Services

Students with disabilities requesting on-campus accommodation should answer “Yes” to requiring residence accommodation and complete the required sections.

Canadian Immigration

Canadian Visa and Entry Requirements

Depending on a student’s citizenship, one-term exchange students can enter Canada with an eTA or a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), and one year exchange students need to apply for a Study Permit. For more information, students should visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) upon receiving their acceptance letter from McMaster University to understand the requirements for their visit. As processing times vary, students should apply as soon as possible.

Visa and Entry Support

Adjusting to a new country can be challenging, especially when dealing with the visa and entry process. Through McMaster’s visa and entry advising services , we can offer advice and connect students with resources to complete the visa and entry process. Students should first review the information found at the websites below and contact immigration@mcmaster.ca with any questions.

Living in Hamilton

Accommodation

The availability of housing in the Fall (September) term is limites and most difficult for single semester exchange students. Students should begin their accommodation search at the earliest opportunity. We encourage partners to nominate their semester students for the Spring (January) term when possible and encourage students to apply for the on-campus room lottery as a minimum step.

It is easier to find 4 month accommodation (both on/off campus) in the January-April term.

ON-CAMPUS

If the number of applications exceeds the number of available rooms, a lottery system will determine the final offer. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee on-campus housing for exchange students.

Important Notes:

• Meal plans are mandatory and non-refundable.
• Residence accommodation is only available to Undergraduate students.
• Residences typically host first year students.
• McMaster facilities close over the Christmas holiday break, but some residences remain open for students who apply to stay over the holidays. More information on “December Stay" can be found on the housing website and is requested as part of the residence application.
• An admin charge of $300 Canadian is applied to semester students staying Sep-Dec only.

Students with disabilities should answer “Yes” to requiring residence accommodation and complete the required sections which includes an explanation of the student’s situation and documentation from an attesting professional.

On-time deadline to apply is early June each year.

OFF-CAMPUS

McMaster is located close to many shared housing options suitable for incoming exchange students. Off-campus housing provides students with the ability to live in close proximity to campus while experiencing shared living with other Canadian students. Through McMaster’s Off-Campus Resource Centre website, exchange students can browse through rental listings for shared housing in the nearby Community of Westdale and surrounding area.

Cost of Living

The following is an estimate

(in Canadian dollars – CAD) 1 Term (4 months)

The above is an estimate (CAD - Canadian dollars) of possible living expenses in Canada for four months. Costs are based on a one semester exchange.

* Based on shared living expenses
** Meal plans are compulsory for on-campus students
*** Utilities and tenant insurance are supplementary fees often associated with off-campus accommodation.
**** University Health Insurance Plan

Helpful Websites

Athletics and Recreation

Black Student Success Centre

Clubs and Organizations

Experience building Career Treks

HSR Transit

Indigenous Student Services

Libraries

McMaster COVID-19 Website

MODEL/MELD

MyTimetable tool

Office of the Registrar

Student Accessibility Services

Student Success Centre (Incoming exchange)

Student Wellness Centre

Writing and Academic Skills

Virtual Tours