Thinking about applying to university? There’s a place for you at McMaster. 

McMaster’s Access Program connects equity-deserving students and those from historically under-represented backgrounds. These groups often include:

• Students with parents who did not attend or complete post-secondary studies (first-generation university students)
• Indigenous students
• Students with disabilities
• Certain racialized minority students (especially youth with Afro-Canadian and Latin American backgrounds)
• Students from low-income families and neighbourhoods
• Adult learners who are new to post-secondary education
• Students from rural communities
• Women (in some disciplines)
• Students who wouldn’t attend post-secondary without additional programs or supports

At McMaster, there’s a team of dedicated staff and students are here to help you succeed in university. Connect with the Access Program if you have questions about McMaster, university life in general, barriers to post-secondary learning and more.

Email access1@mcmaster.ca to get started.

Why McMaster?

Programs

Admission Requirements

Get Ready to Apply

• The Access Award provides up to $20,000 per year for four years of post-secondary education at McMaster. Plus, you receive mentorship, employment options and academic supports to set you up for success.
• Youth in Extended Society Care Tuition Bursary are for students who grew up in the care of the Children’s Aid Society and are planning to attend McMaster, you may be eligible for financial support. Bursary funding is available towards tuition and compulsory fees. This funding is renewable, subject to meeting eligibility requirements for up to four years.
• Office of the Registrar can help support answering your questions about financial aid, transcripts, enrolment letters, diplomas and more.
• Mac’s Money Centre is a resource available to all students. We offer workshops, tax services to students and the community year round, and host a number of educational campaigns and events with financial experts, based on financial topics of-interest, shared with us by students.

• Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) team will collaborate with you to develop an individualized plan that respects and considers your intersectionality, academic path and hopes for the future. We can help you navigate barriers to employment. This includes assistance with workplace accommodations, guidance on how and when to disclose a disability and more. Plus, our CAPS employer team has connections with inclusive employers and community partners to support your career development and workplace transition.
• McMaster Work Program provides you financial need opportunities to work on campus part-time (max 10 hours/week) during the fall/winter terms and part- or full-time (max 35-40 hours/week) over the summer. There are more than 1,250 jobs available with more than 100 different McMaster departments/offices. Positions range from administrative support and customer service, athletic coordinators, research support and more.

• Housing & Conference Services: Every Marauder deserves a great place to call home. Housing & Conference Services serves our McMaster University students and supports on and off-campus student success through inclusion, community engagement, and activities that promote personal growth, health and well-being. Through continual improvements to the student living experience, we are helping to shape a Brighter World.

• Mac Off-Campus Housing Services: Finding housing as a student can be a challenging but essential task. Whether you’re moving to a new city for university or looking for housing while attending a McMaster University, here is a great place to start your off campus housing search. When you find a property listing that interests you, be sure to contact the landlord or property manager. Make a checklist of what you’re looking for in a rental property, ask questions about the terms of the lease.

• Student Success Centre First-Year Experience team work towards ensuring you feel connected and supported. We offer support to incoming students from the summer before you begin classes, up until the end of your last exam in first year. 
• Housing & Conference Services serves and supports your success on and off-campus through inclusion, community engagement and activities that promote personal growth, health and well-being. Every Marauder deserves a great place to call home. Find everything you need to know about our residence spaces, applying to residence and getting ready to move-in.

• The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) is the place on campus to address your wellness needs. They provide a range of counselling options, medical services and wellness programs so that you can get the most out of your McMaster experience, academically and personally.
  • Call 905-525-9140 x27700 between 9:00am-8:00pm Monday-Thursday, or 9:00am-5:00pm Friday to connect with reception and book your appointment.
  • Visit Student Wellness Centre on the 2nd floor in the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning.
• The Department of Athletics & Recreation offers programs and services, facilities to build a strong and inclusive community over time.
  • Contact the Joan Buddle Service Desk located in the David Braley Athletic Centre either in person or by phone at 905-525-9140 x24612.
• The Spiritual Care and Learning Centre (SCLC) is a multicultural network of community leaders and groups working in collaboration to provide spiritual care services. At the SCLC, we value each individual as a person (mind, body and spirit) deserving of love and care. We acknowledge the importance of community in our daily lives and the significant role it plays in our larger sense of identity, whether that identity is religious, secular, spiritual or otherwise.
  • Visit us in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC), room 212.
  • Our office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

• Black Student Success Centre (BSSC) is dedicated to supporting and championing the holistic (academic, personal and professional) success and overall well-being of Black/African descent students and fostering a positive Black student and athlete experience. The Centre is a safe space where students can meet, share, socialize and access specialized support and services.
• Indigenous Student Services (ISS) provides and connects Indigenous learners to the supports they need to achieve their academic goals.  We work to promote a safe place for Indigenous learners at McMaster by addressing barriers and providing holistic supports.
• McMaster Student Union (MSU) is the largest group on campus representing approximately 27,000 undergraduate students at McMaster University. All students enrolled in 18 (or more units) are members of the MSU.

• Writing and Academic Skills Appointments: Writing and academic skills are key to your success in university, no matter what Faculty you’re in. Discover how our one-on-one appointments can help you identify areas to improve, create a plan to achieve your goals and more. Not sure where to go to the appointment? Find us in the new SSC: Writing and Academic Skills Hub in Mills Library L215.
• Academic Advising: Have questions about your program? Course requirements? Dropping or adding a course? Want to talk with someone about your Academics? It’s time to contact your Faculty.

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) provides academic accommodations and related supports for students with disabilities at McMaster. We’re available to help you transition from high school or other post-secondary institutions with supports for undergraduate, continuing and graduate students.