Summer Transition Programs and Support

Annually from February to August | Open to incoming first-year international and exchange students

Incoming international students, you probably have questions about moving to and learning in a new country. Attend our webinars to meet your community of support and discover how you can be successful at McMaster.

Topics include:

• Study permits
• Housing
• Tuition
• Living in Hamilton
• English-language support
• University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)
• Banking in Canada
• Studying in Canada

Plus, you’ll have opportunities to meet other international students and connect with McMaster staff who are here to support you.

Annually in June | Open to all incoming first-year students and their parents, families and caregivers

Join us to learn everything you need to know to manage your finances as a university student with confidence.

Topics include:

• Sourcing funds
• Summer checklist
• Paying tuition and managing your account

Annually in July | Open to all incoming first-year students (includes sessions for parents, families, caregivers)

Mac101 is your introduction to university life. This summer, join students, staff and faculty for a series of sessions, discussions and activities to ease your transition to university life. Attend virtual sessions to learn about strategies, skills, programs, tools and campus resources to support your success at McMaster.

Mac101 is open to all incoming first-year students, with customized sessions for students with disabilities, international students, transfer students, Access Program students and parents, caregivers and families.

Annually in mid-July and throughout August | Open to incoming first-year students with disabilities or with high school individual education plans (IEPs)  — upper-year students also welcome

MacStart is a summer program to help you transition to university learning at McMaster University. Our goal is to support the needs and interests of incoming students with disabilities.

This orientation program is offered in a choose-your-own-journey style. This means that you register once for the whole program and attend only the workshops that interest you. You don’t need to be registered with Student Accessibility Services to participate in MacStart.

Annually in early August | Open to incoming first-year students in the Access Program (students from equity-deserving or historically underrepresented backgrounds)

Mac4U is a new summer transition program launching in August 2025 for incoming students in the Access Program. Join up to 30 of your peers for a four-day, three-night on-campus program. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in a “McMaster shadow day” with mock lectures and labs, learn about the basics of well-being and work-life balance as a university student and get plenty of advice from upper-year student leaders. Plus, participate in group socials and activities to meet peers and make friends before classes start in September.

The application to join the Mac4U 2025 cohort will open online in June. If you have questions about participating in Mac4U, please email access1@mcmaster.ca.

Annually from late August to early September | Open to all incoming first-year students

We’re committed to providing you and the entire incoming class with the best transition and orientation experience to get you ready for university life at McMaster. Get excited for academic and social programming, interactive games and activities, Faculty-based events and opportunities to connect with other incoming and upper-year students along with staff and faculty.

Welcome Week is a collaborative initiative involving many units across campus, including Student Affairs, the McMaster Students Union (MSU), Faculties and Programs, Faculty Societies, non-Faculty partners and student planning groups.

Annually in May | Open to prospective applicants and incoming first-year students (parents, family and caregivers welcome)

May@Mac is your opportunity to explore McMaster’s campus, learn about our programs from faculty members and discover what it’s like to live and learn at the university.

Annually in August | Open to incoming first-year Engineering students

Get a head start on your university career through this flexible, optional program designed to suit your needs.

EMBER prepares students who are entering their first year of Engineering, the Bachelor of Technology program, Computer Science and Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (iBioMed) for academic and social success. Mix and match courses and other opportunities to create your own unique, customized EMBER experience. This program is offered at no additional cost.

Annually in July (additional programming in the fall) | Open to incoming first-year Indigenous students

Find a culturally safe space to develop your community and access support among Indigenous learners before the year starts. Over two weeks in the summer and workshops continuing in the fall, you’ll learn about culture, university life and academic skill development while celebrating Indigenous values and ways of learning.

McMaster’s Access Program connects equity-deserving students and those from historically under-represented backgrounds with information and supports to set them up for success in university.

Equity-deserving 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

And the support doesn’t end after you accept your offer. The Access Program’s designed to enhance your sense of belonging and empowerment during university, too. We provide services and connect you with resources across campus to support your academic, career, wellness and financial needs.

Every Marauder deserves a great place to call home. Housing & Conference Services’ Residence Life unit supports on-campus students through inclusion, community engagement and activities that promote personal growth and health and well-being. Your Residence Life community advisor is available to provide support and guidance to help you adjust to university life and navigate the campus.