About the University

History, Affiliations and Ranking Founded in 1887 in Toronto with the gift of $900,000 from the estate of Senator William McMaster, McMaster University is today, one of the four universities in Canada to rank in the top 100 worldwide. Beginning with 3 Faculties - Arts, Science and Theology - the University relocated to Hamilton in 1930 and became a publicly-funded institution in 1957. A top-ranking research-intensive University, McMaster helps students succeed within and outside the classroom, through its teaching excellence and global perspectives. The McMaster methodology is focused on problem-based learning, small groups and early exposure to real-world experience. The University is affiliated with the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Universities in Canada, and the Council of Ontario Universities. McMaster University ranks at #133 in Best Global Universities by the US News and World Report 2022, while QS World University Rankings 2022 place McMaster at #140. 

Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses Spanning 367 acres of scenic property and central campus, McMaster University is located in the Westdale neighborhood in Hamilton, near the western end of Lake Ontario. The infrastructure comprises modern, state-of-the-art buildings, 70 Research Centers and Institutes, and around 58 buildings. In addition, the University has four regional campuses in downtown Hamilton, Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, and Niagara. McMaster is composed of 6 Faculties, namely the DeGroote School of Business and the Faculties of Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences, which are further divided into constituent academic departments. Courses at the Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral levels are offered, along with part-time degrees and continuing education programs. At McMaster, teaching and learning is student-centered and based on a problem-based approach, that allows students to develop critical thinking abilities.

Accomplishments and Alumni McMaster University is a winner of the 2018 Global Teaching Excellence Award from the Higher Education Academy of the UK. The University has more than 70 research centers and more than 70 international exchange arrangements with institutions worldwide, producing world-class research. According to Research InfoSource 2021, McMaster ranks #1 for Graduate Research Intensity. With a total research funding of $353.5 million, the University is the #3 among Medical/Doctoral schools in the Research University of the Year ranking. Further, it is the only university in Canada to serve as a host to the United Nations University through the Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH). McMaster has an alumni network of around 195,000 representing more than 160 countries, including alumni in Canada. Some of the most famous alumni of the university are currently working as Cabinet Ministers, Business leaders, scientists, Olympians, and more. Donna Strickland (Nobel Prize Winner for Physics in 2018), Robert Pulford (Executive Vice President of Chicago Blackhawks), and Eugene Levy (Actor/Comedian) are some of the notable alumni.

Student Diversity and Visiting Companies McMaster University has a total student population comprising 31,500+ undergraduates and 4,900+ graduate students. International students comprise 15.5% of the total student population, while they make up 24% of the graduate student population and represent 120 countries on the campus. Further, there are 250+ clubs - academic, social and cultural - on the campus giving students the opportunity to explore and connect outside the classroom. McMaster University has a Student Success Center that offers a breadth of student services from academic and career planning to leadership events, global events, financial wellness services and more. Students can also participate in the Final Year Recruitment Program to gain access to live networking events, resume creation, interview skills and other career-related services. Some of the most famous visiting companies include RBC, Scotiabank, Deloitte, Amazon, Microsoft, and others.