Incoming Exchange Students

Founded in 1887, McMaster University is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. With a total student population of more than 33,000 students, McMaster is a top 100 university dedicated to advancing human and societal health and well-being.

In 2020, we were named Canada’s most research-intensive university for the fourth year in a row. In 2021, McMaster was ranked number 69 by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and number 14 in the world in THE’s University Impact Rankings based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

McMaster University is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at the western end of Lake Ontario. McMaster has two campus locations open for incoming student exchange students: our central campus in Hamilton and our campus in Burlington, Ontario, for Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) students.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an exchange at McMaster, you must get nominated from your home university. Check out our list of exchange partnerships to find out if your university is one of our partners.

Once your home university sends your nomination details to us, we will send information on what’s next and how to apply directly to you and your university coordinator.

Visit the Office of the Registrar for important dates and deadlines.

Semester dates (general)

• Term 1: Early September to end of December (including exams)
• Term 2: Early January to end of April (including exams)
• Term 3: We do not offer exchanges in the summer term.

Semester dates (detailed)

• Undergraduate: Visit the website for the Office of the Registrar.
• Graduate: Visit the School of Graduate Studies (find “sessional dates”).
• Master’s of Business Administration (MBA): Visit the MBA program website.

To apply for an exchange at McMaster as an incoming student, you must first be nominated by your home university. Once we receive your details, we’ll contact you by email with more information on how to apply.

To complete your application, your home university coordinator will need to send us these supporting documents before the final application deadline.

• Official transcript: This document must include an English translation and explanation of the home university grading system.
• English Language Certification: If required, find the language requirements in this section.

Language requirements

English is the language of instruction at McMaster. Although we offer informal (non-credit) workshops to assist students with the English language, we do not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) for-credit courses for incoming exchange students. To study at McMaster, you must be proficient in English before you arrive.

Study abroad (fee-paying)­ applicants

Study abroad applicants are asked to submit official language test scores according to McMaster’s English Proficiency requirements. We must receive these scores by the appropriate deadline. The McMaster University institution code for ETS/TOEFL is 0936.

Undergraduate (exchange) applicants

For undergraduate applicants, written confirmation is not required, but you are expected to have sufficient proficiency in English to study at the university level to read, write and participate in verbal class discussions.

Graduate (exchange) applicants

Official English language certification or a letter from your home exchange coordinator or instructor confirming your proficiency in English is required.

Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants (exchange)

No certification is required if you have studied for a minimum of three years in a university where the medium of instruction was English. A letter from your home exchange coordinator confirming this is sufficient. For all other applicants, official certification is required.

We accept Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. We do not have individual band score requirements for IELTS or TOEFL.

• TOEFL requirement: Overall score of 100
• IELTS requirement: Overall score of 7.0

Please make arrangements with TOEFL or IELTS to have your results sent to us directly.

Use the Search for Classes Tool to find courses offered during the current calendar year. The class search is updated with the next academic year’s schedule in mid-May (undergraduate students) and mid-June (graduate students).

Undergraduate students

Undergraduate courses begin with numbers 1–4. Undergraduate exchange students will be registered in Level 3 at McMaster, and you 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.

Note: Course outlines are usually listed on the individual department web pages.

Undergraduate students

• Business
• Science
• Engineering: Chemical, Civil, Computing and Software (by request), Electrical (by request), Physics, Materials, Mechanical
• Humanities
• Social Science (Choose department > courses from the main menu.)
• Health Sciences

Graduate students

If you’re a graduate student wishing to study at the graduate level, you must be currently enrolled in an equivalent graduate-level program at your home university and enrolled in the second year of master’s study (fifth year). Students are expected to take graduate courses at the 700 level and will be admitted at the department level.

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 and advice.

Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) students

Visit the MBA website for the list of MBA courses. Students are expected to take final year 700-level MBA courses only.

Undergraduate

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

• General restrictions: Students accepted at the undergraduate level are not eligible to take courses at the graduate (master’s) level. Exchange with the Arts and Science Program is not permitted, except for ARTSSCI 4MN2/Movement and Integration.
• Faculty of Humanities: Multimedia and Studio Art courses are restricted, but they may be open to students registered in a similar program at their home university (space permitting). If you’re interested in these courses, contact McMaster early to check availability and, if you’re interested in Studio Art, submit a portfolio. McMaster English Language Development (MELD) courses are not available for exchange students.
• Faculty of Engineering: The Bachelor of Technology (BTECH) program is not available to exchange students. Computer Science and Software Engineering courses are also very limited. Engineering students are permitted to register in most Level 4 courses. If you’re an Engineering student hoping to take a business course, you must be enrolled in an Engineering Management program at your home university.
• Faculty of Social Sciences: Students applying for Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour (PNB) courses must have completed A-Level Mathematics and at least O-level Biology. This is equal to university Calculus and grade 12 Biology (the 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 (entrance may be granted on a case-by-case basis). Email McMaster in advance to confirm your eligibility.
• 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 your eligibility for Commerce courses depending on the agreement between McMaster and the partner university. To apply, you should have a background in Business. Courses in the IBH program are not available.
• Faculty of Health Sciences: Restricted; available by partnership agreement only.

Graduate

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

• 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:
  • Faculty of Health Sciences (all programs)
  • 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.)

Master’s of Business Administration (MBA)

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

• Incoming exchange students are not permitted to take undergraduate courses in the School of Business; not permitted to take courses with the following codes: I600 level, 650 level, HSM C700, T level, D700.

The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is a mandatory, comprehensive health insurance plan that provides health coverage for international and incoming exchange students. UHIP covers medically necessary doctor and hospital visits within Ontario for international students, incoming exchange students and dependants (spouse and children).

Note: UHIP provides coverage in the province of Ontario only. If you travel outside of Ontario or Canada, you will need to purchase additional health insurance. For more details, visit our UHIP web page for international students or the official UHIP website.

The following services are not covered under UHIP:

• Prescription medication
• Dental care
• Vision care

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

On-campus housing

The McMaster Future Residents page is where you will find out everything you need to know about our residence buildings and room types, how the application process works, what you need to know to get ready for move-in day and anything else you might need to know.

Important notes:

• Meal plans are mandatory.
• Residence accommodation is only available to undergraduate
• Residences typically host first-year students.
• McMaster facilities close over the December 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 can be requested as part of the residence application.
• An admin charge of $300 CAD is applied to semester students staying for September to December only.

Off-campus housing

McMaster is located close to many affordable housing options. Off-campus housing allows you to live close to campus and experience shared living with other Canadian students. Through McMaster’s Off-Campus Resource Centre, you can browse through rental listings for shared housing in the nearby community of Westdale and the surrounding area.

If you have any accessibility or accommodation needs, your home counsellor should contact Allison Drew-Hassling (adrewh@mcmaster.ca).

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

At McMaster, SAS offers various supports for students with disabilities. SAS works with full-time and part-time students, as well as prospective students. SAS provides or assists students with academic and disability-related needs, including:

• Learning strategies
• Assistive technologies
• Test and exam administration
• Note-taking programs
• Classroom accommodations
• Groups and events

To access SAS services, you must register with SAS when you arrive at McMaster.

Available at the start of both academic terms, exchange welcome events and MOOSE outdoor orientation trips bring together new exchange students before the academic year begins. Socialize with other exchange students and participate in team-building exercises in some of Ontario’s most beautiful natural parks.

McMaster University recognizes and acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish With One Spoon wampum agreement. More than 1.4 million people in Canada identify themselves as Indigenous, coming from First Nations, Inuit or Métis backgrounds.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is an important and on-going conversation in Canada. Learn more about reconciliation efforts through further reading or selecting courses from our Indigenous Studies Program.

When you’re accepted to study at McMaster, you’ll have the option to join our inbound exchange Buddy Program. This program will connect you with a McMaster peer who can act as your Canadian/McMaster guide before and after you arrive. Send an email to macincoming@mcmaster.ca to get involved in the program and get matched with a McMaster buddy.

Student clubs

The McMaster Students Union (MSU) recognizes over 350 clubs in five categories: academic, cultural, recreational, religious and social issues.

Athletics

As an exchange student (with the exception of MBA students), you also have free access to athletics and recreation facilities at McMaster. Fitness classes and intramural sports are a great way to get to know others with similar interests.

The Government of Canada announced The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program in 2009 to support the development of human capital and the next generation of leaders in the Americas while strengthening the linkages between post-secondary institutions in Canada and the Americas. These scholarships provide students from post-secondary institutions located in Latin America and the Caribbean with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions. 

The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program is a Short-term Exchange Program under Global Affairs Canada’s International Scholarships Program. Canadian institutions will receive funding from Global Affairs Canada, through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). 

Key Dates 

McMaster Internal Deadline 

McMaster’s internal deadline for departments/supervisors to submit that application for their candidate is Thursday, March 2, 2023. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. An application is deemed complete if all application materials have been submitted by the internal deadline. 

Agency Deadline 

The deadline for McMaster University to submit online applications on behalf of candidates is 11:59 p.m. EDT, March 21, 2023. 

Announcement of Results 

Canadian institutions will be informed of the final selection sometime in the spring of 2023. 

Arrival in Canada 

Scholarship recipients may commence their studies or research as early as August 1, 2023, but no later than February 1, 2024.  

Students interested in studying in Canada under this scholarship should: 

• review the eligibility requirements by going to The Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program website 
• ask your international office if your school has an exchange agreement with McMaster University 
• contact your international office to learn more about the application process and any admission requirements at McMaster University 
• For graduate applications, an inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory. If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications which involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian institution and the candidate’s home institution will be accepted. Graduate applicants must secure a supervisor at McMaster before they can apply for this scholarship. 
• For undergraduate course only applications, an inter-institutional agreement is required. For undergraduate research applications with no agreement, a letter issued by McMaster’s Office of International Affairs will be accepted instead of an inter-institutional agreement.  

Value and Duration 

The scholarship value varies depending on the duration of studies: 

• CAD 8,200 for college, undergraduate or graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for four months or one academic term of study or research; or 
• CAD 11,100 for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study or research. 

Funding will be disbursed to the visiting student only once they arrive in Canada and sign a letter of agreement. 

Eligible expenses 

Selected students may use scholarship funds towards: 

• visa or study/work permit fees 
• airfare via the most direct and economical route 
• health insurance 
• living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food 
• ground transportation, including a public transportation pass 
• books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment 

Eligibility 

To be eligible, candidates must be: 

•  a citizen of an eligible country/territory 

• Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos 
• Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama 
• North America: Mexico 
• South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela 

• a student enrolled full-time at post-secondary institution in an eligible country/territory 

• paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of your exchange 

Candidates are not eligible for this scholarship if: 

• you hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency 
• you are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada 
• you are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution 

Selection process 

The following guidelines are followed for the review, assessment and selection of applications: 

All online applications received by the deadline will be pre-screened to ensure they meet eligibility requirements established for the program. 

Eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria: 

• merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada 
• benefit to the home institution and peers 
• benefit to McMaster University, supervisor and peers 
• strength of linkages to be created through the proposed exchange 

McMaster will be required to rank the eligible applications based on the above selection criteria and then provide the rankings to Global Affairs Canada. 

Supporting documents 

Departments/supervisors must email all the required documents as individual files to gacexpro@mcmaster.ca no later than Thursday, March 2, 2023.  

Applicants to provide the following documents to their department: 

(Please contact your potential department to confirm when they require your documents in order for them to meet the Thursday, March 2,2023 deadline) 

Proof of citizenship 

• A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates 
• Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate 
• Proof of citizenship selected must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form 

Signed Privacy Notice Statement 

• A copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months 

Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page) 

• Explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken 
• Provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career 

Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution 

• On official letterhead 
• Dated within the last six months 
• Confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program 
• Copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable 

Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page) 

• On official letterhead 
• Dated within the last six months 
• From the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director 
• Explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program 

Additional application information: a Word document completed by the applicant that includes all the following information. 

• Candidate’s research project title 
• A summary of the research project or courses to be undertaken at McMaster (maximum 1000 characters). 
• History of Inter-Institutional Collaboration: Describe the nature of the agreement i.e., formal Memorandum of Understanding, informal agreement between post-secondary institutions or departments, research collaboration between professors, etc. (maximum 1000 characters). 
• How long is the candidate planning on staying? You need to choose A or B. A) Four months (one academic term) or B) Between 5 and 6 months. 
• Candidate’s expected arrival date to McMaster and departure date from McMaster. These dates are required for the application, but they can be changed at a later date. 
• Candidate’s McMaster Supervisor details: name, title, department, phone number and email address. 
• Name, job title, email address, name of institution and mailing address for the contact person responsible for the exchange program at the candidate’s home institution. 
• Candidate’s email address 
• Candidate’s current level of study. Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD? Current year? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) 
• Candidate’s field of study and program at home institution 
• Candidate’s expected degree completion at their home institution 
• Candidate’s Gender 
• Candidate’s country of citizenship 

Only for Graduate Student applications – Departments to include the following document in the PDF: 

• Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (graduate students only, maximum one page) 

• On official letterhead 
• Dated within the last six months 

• Signed by the Canadian supervisor 
• Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution 
• Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period 
• Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange 

Conditions for successful students 

Students selected for the scholarship agree to: 

• engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution 
• abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care 
• focus primarily on full-time studies or research during your stay in Canada 
• return to your home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies 

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the cancellation of your scholarship. 

Additional information 

• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable 
• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada 
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient 

• Students must return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies 

Any questions? 

Please direct all inquiries regarding the eligibility requirements to: scholarships-bourses@cbie.ca or 613-237-4820. 

Study in Canada Scholarships aim to increase opportunities for Canadian post-secondary institutions to welcome international students from a wide range of countries and territories on short-term exchanges for study or research. This will provide institutions the opportunity to strengthen and diversify their international linkages and promote their academic and research excellence in new markets. 

The new connections created through the program will diversify and enrich Canada’s education engagement with a diverse range of partners, strengthen bilateral ties, and complement the Government of Canada’s broader international trade diversification efforts. 

The Study in Canada Scholarships is a Short-term Exchange Program under Global Affairs Canada’s International Scholarships Program. Canadian institutions will receive funding from Global Affairs Canada, through its legal name, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). 

Key Dates: 

McMaster Internal Deadline 

McMaster Internal Deadline for departments/supervisors to submit the application for their candidate is Thursday, March 2, 2023. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. An application is deemed complete if all application materials have been submitted by the internal deadline. 

Agency Deadline 

The deadline for McMaster University to submit online applications on behalf of candidates is 11:59 p.m. EDT, March 21, 2023. 

Announcement of Results 

Canadian institutions will be informed of the final selection sometime in the spring of 2023. 

Arrival in Canada 

Scholarship recipients may commence their studies or research as early as August 1, 2023, but no later than February 1, 2024.  

Students interested in studying in Canada under this scholarship should: 

• review the eligibility requirements by going to the  Study in Canada Scholarships  website 
• ask your international office if your school has an exchange agreement with McMaster University 
• contact your international office to learn more about the application process and any admission requirements at McMaster University 
• For graduate applications, an inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory. If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications which involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian institution and the candidate’s home institution will be accepted. Graduate applicants must secure a supervisor at McMaster before they can apply for this scholarship. 
• For undergraduate course only applications, an inter-institutional agreement is required. For undergraduate research applications with no agreement, a letter issued by McMaster’s Office of International Affairs will be accepted instead of an inter-institutional agreement.  

Value and Duration 

The scholarship value depends on the duration of studies: 

• CAD 10,200  for college, undergraduate or graduate students (Master’s and PhD) four months or one academic term of study or research; 
• CAD 12,700 for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study or research. 

Eligible expenses 

Selected students may use scholarship funds towards: 

• visa or study/work permit fees 
• airfare via the most direct and economical route 
• health insurance 
• living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food 
• ground transportation, including a public transportation pass 
• books and supplies required for their study or research, excluding computers and other equipment 

Eligibility 

To be considered for a scholarship, candidates must be: 

• citizens of the following eligible countries/territories: 

• Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Taiwan 
• Europe: Turkey, Ukraine 
• Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia 
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda 

• a student enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country/territory 

• paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of your exchange 

Candidates are not eligible: 

• if they hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency; 
• if they are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada; and 
• if they are already enrolled in a degree, diploma or certificate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution. 

Selection process 

The following guidelines are followed for the review, assessment and selection of applications: 

All online applications received by the deadline will be pre-screened to ensure they meet eligibility requirements established for the program. 

Eligible and complete applications will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria: 

• merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada 

• benefit to the home institution and peers 
• benefit to McMaster University, supervisor and peers 
• strength of linkages to be created through the proposed exchange 

McMaster will be required to rank the eligible applications based on the above selection criteria and then provide the rankings to Global Affairs Canada. 

Supporting documents 

Departments/supervisors must email all the required documents as individual files to gacexpro@mcmaster.ca no later than Thursday, March 2, 2023.  

Applicants to provide the following documents to their department: 

(Please contact your department to confirm when they require your documents in order for them to meet the Thursday, March 2, 2023 deadline) 

Proof of citizenship: 

• a copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity card with a photo and valid dates 
• candidates from Taiwan must also provide a proof of household registration in Taiwan 

documents not accepted as proof of citizenship are: driver’s license, permanent residence card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate 

• proof of citizenship must be from the same country/territory as the citizenship selected in the online application form 

Privacy Notice Statement: 

• a copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months 

Letter of intent from the candidate (maximum one page): 

• explains the nature of studies or research to be undertaken 
• provides rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor and how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career 

Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution (maximum one page): 

• on official letterhead 
• dated within the last six months 
• confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program 
• copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable 

Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page): 

• on official letterhead 
• dated within the last six months 
• from the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director 
• explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program 

Additional application information: a Word document completed by the applicant that includes all the following information 

• Candidate’s research project title 
• A summary of the research project or courses to be undertaken at McMaster (maximum 1000 characters). 

History of Inter-Institutional Collaboration: Describe the nature of the agreement i.e., formal Memorandum of Understanding, informal agreement between post-secondary institutions or departments, research collaboration between professors, etc. (maximum 1000 characters). 

• How long is the candidate planning on staying? You need to choose A or B. A) Four months (one academic term) or B) Between 5 and 6 months. 
• Candidate’s expected arrival date to McMaster and departure date from McMaster. These dates are required for the application, but they can be changed at a later date. 
• Candidate’s McMaster Supervisor details: name, title, department, phone number and email address. 
• Name, job title, email address, name of institution and mailing address for the contact person responsible for the exchange program at the candidate’s home institution. 
• Candidate’s email address 
• Candidate’s current level of study. Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD? Current year? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) 
• Candidate’s field of study and program at home institution 
• Candidate’s expected degree completion at their home institution 
• Candidate’s Gender 
• Candidate’s country of citizenship 

Only for Graduate Student applications – Departments to include the following document in the PDF: 

Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (maximum one page): 

• On official letterhead 
• Dated within the last six months 
• Signed by the Canadian supervisor 
• Describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution 
• Confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period 
• Explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange 

Successful applicants 

Students selected for a scholarship agree to: 

• engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution; 
• abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care; 
• focus primarily on full-time studies or research during their stay in Canada; and 
• return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies. 

Additional information 

• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable 
• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada 
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient 

• Students must return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies 

Any questions? 

Please direct all inquiries regarding the eligibility requirements to: scholarships-bourses@cbie.ca or 613-237-4820. 

Description 

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program provides students, from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions at the college, undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Overview 

On August 6, 2017, the Government of Canada announced the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program to provide opportunities for students from ASEAN member states to conduct short-term study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions in areas that contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) program aims to reduce poverty in the developing countries of ASEAN and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Scholarships and educational exchanges will contribute towards the achievement of all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

SEED scholarships are facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between post-secondary institutions in Canada and their partner institutions in ASEAN countries. 

Key Dates

McMaster Internal Deadline 

McMaster Internal Deadline for applicants to submit required documents is Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. An application is deemed complete if all application materials have been submitted by the applicant and the department to the School of Graduate Studies by the internal deadline. 

All eligible applications submitted by the internal deadline will be reviewed based on McMaster’s strategic priorities at the institutional level and only those deemed exceptional by McMaster University will be forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) for the federal competition. 

Agency Deadline 

The deadline for McMaster University to submit online applications on behalf of candidates is 11:59 p.m. EST, March 3, 2022. 

Announcement of Results 

Canadian institutions will be informed of the final selection and results by the end of April 2022. 

Arrival in Canada 

Scholarship recipients may commence their studies or research as early as August 1, 2022, but no later than February 1, 2023.  

Students interested in studying in Canada under this scholarship should: 

• Review the eligibility requirements by going to the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) website 
• Ask your international office if your school has an exchange agreement with a Canadian post-secondary institution 
• Contact your international office to learn more about the application process and any admission requirements at McMaster University 
• For graduate applications, an inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory. If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications which involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian institution and the candidate’s home institution will be accepted. Graduate applicants must secure a supervisor at McMaster before they can apply for this scholarship. 
• For undergraduate course only applications, an inter-institutional agreement is required. For undergraduate research applications with no agreement, a letter issued by the Canadian institution’s international office or equivalent will be accepted. 

Value and Duration 

Funding for Study in Canada Scholarships is made available by Global Affairs Canada through its legal title: the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD). 

Scholarship values vary depending on the duration and level of study: 

• CAD 10,200 for college, undergraduate or graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a minimum of four months or one academic term of study or research; 
• CAD 12,700 for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) for a period of five to six months of study or research; or 
• CAD 15,900 for undergraduate and college students for a period of eight months or two academic terms of study or research 

Eligible expenses 

Canadian institutions will disburse scholarship funds to the scholarship recipient to contribute to the following costs: 

• visa and/or study/work permit fees; 
• airfare for the scholarship recipient only via the most direct and economical route; 
• health insurance; 
• living expenses, such as accommodation, utilities and food; 
• ground transportation, including a public transportation pass; and 
• books and supplies required for the recipient’s study or research, excluding computers and other equipment. 

Eligibility 

To be considered for a scholarship, candidates must: 

• be citizens of an ASEAN member state (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)), Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Vietnam); 
• be enrolled as a full-time student at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country and paying tuition fees to that institution at the time of application and for the full duration of the exchange. 

Candidates are not eligible: 

• if they hold or have a pending application for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency; 
• if they are already participating in a scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada; 
• if they are already enrolled in a degree or diploma program at a Canadian post-secondary institution; or 
• if they have previously received a scholarship under the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development. 

Selection process 

The following guidelines are followed for the review, assessment and selection of applications: 

• All online applications received by the deadline will be pre-screened to ensure they meet eligibility requirements established for the program. 

Eligible and complete applications, including the supporting documents, will be evaluated based on the following criteria: 

• the linkage of the proposed research or study that the student will undertake in Canada to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; 
• the candidate’s commitment to use their proposed research or studies in Canada to help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region; 
• merit of the research or study to be undertaken in Canada; 
• benefit to the home institution and peers; 
• benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers; 
• strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange; and 
• rankings submitted by the Canadian institution. 

McMaster will be required to rank its eligible applications based on its institutional strategic priorities. 

Supporting documents 

Departments/supervisors must email all the required documents as one PDF no later than Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Graduate applications to be emailed to graduatescholarships@mcmaster.ca and undergraduate applications to be emailed to levij@mcmaster.ca . 

Applicants to provide the following documents to their department: 

(Please contact your potential department to confirm when they require your documents in order for them to meet the Tuesday, February 8th deadline) 

Proof of citizenship: 

• A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity document with a photo and valid dates. 
• Documents not accepted as proof of citizenship: driver’s licence, permanent resident card, work permit, student card, health card, birth certificate or baptismal certificate. 
• Proof of citizenship must be from the same as the country of the citizenship selected in the online application form. 

Privacy Notice Statement: a copy of the Privacy Notice Statement for non-Canadian participants signed by the candidate and dated within the last six months. 

Letter of intent (maximum one page):

All candidates must: 

• explain the nature of studies or research to be undertaken; 
• explain how undertaking study or research in Canada will empower the student to apply their learning to address the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; 
• explain how they intend to use their learning to help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region in their future career; and 
• identify the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) their proposed study or research in Canada is aligned with and will contribute to. 
• Candidates from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help to combat poverty in their home country. 
• from Brunei or Singapore must provide an explanation of how their learning in Canada will help combat poverty in one of the other eight ASEAN countries. 

Letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution (maximum one page): 

• on official letterhead 
• dated within the last six months 
• confirms that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program 
• copies of transcripts, a student card or a letter of admission are not acceptable 

Letter of support from the home institution (maximum one page): 

• on official letterhead 
• dated within the last six months 
• from the candidate’s instructor, professor or international director 
• explains the nature of study or research to be undertaken in Canada and how the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program 
• assesses the candidate’s commitment and capacity to use the program of study or research in Canada to help combat poverty and narrow the development gap in the ASEAN region 

Additional information: a document completed by the applicant that includes the following information: 

• Candidate’s research project title 
• A summary of the research project or courses to be undertaken at McMaster (maximum 1000 characters). 
• History of Inter-Institutional Collaboration: Describe the nature of the agreement i.e., formal Memorandum of Understanding, informal agreement between post-secondary institutions or departments, research collaboration between professors, etc. (maximum 1000 characters). 
• How long is the candidate planning on staying? You need to choose A or B. A) Four months (one academic term) or B) Between 5 and 6 months. 
• Candidate’s expected arrival date to McMaster and departure date from McMaster. These dates are required for the application, but they can be changed at a later date. 
• Candidate’s McMaster Supervisor details: name, title, department, phone number and email address. 
• Name, job title, email address, name of institution and mailing address for the contact person responsible for the exchange program at the candidate’s home institution. 
• Candidate’s email address 
• Candidate’s current level of study. Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD? Current year? (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th) 
• Candidate’s field of study and program at home institution 
• Candidate’s expected degree completion at their home institution 
• Candidate’s Gender 
• Candidate’s country of citizenship 

Only for Graduate Student applications – Departments to include the following document in the PDF: 

Letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (maximum one page): 

• on official letterhead 
• dated within the last six months 
• signed by the Canadian supervisor 
• describes the nature and scope of the research collaboration with the student’s home institution 
• confirms their willingness to support and mentor the candidate during the exchange period 
• explains how the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers will benefit from the exchange 

Successful applicants 

Scholarship recipients agree to: 

• engage in full-time studies or research as defined by the Canadian institution; 
• arrive in Canada for the uptake of their award between August 1, 2022 but no later than February 1, 2023. Failure to arrive during this time may result in the cancellation of the scholarship. 
• abstain from clinical training or clinically-oriented research involving direct patient-care; 
• focus primarily on full-time studies or research during their stay in Canada; and 
• return to their home institutions after the scholarship period to complete their studies. 

Additional information 

• The scholarship administrator will not provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates. 
• Scholarships cannot be deferred and are not renewable. 
• Scholarships are subject to availability of funding from the Government of Canada. 
• Scholarships are not taxable for either the Canadian institution or the scholarship recipient 

Any questions? 

Please direct all inquiries regarding the eligibility requirements to: scholarships-bourses@cbie.ca or 613-237-4820.