Your track, your way
Starting with our entrance class of Fall 2027, students applying to Engineering or Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) at McMaster University will be able to:
Discover your discipline at McMaster University
Apply to the Discovery Track. Available in Engineering and iBioMed, the Discovery Track allows you to choose your program at the end of your common first year.
Ready to start your degree, but debating on the right program for you? The Discovery Track gives you more time to choose your focus.
Take advantage of McMaster University’s program guarantee
Apply directly to a program before you start first year. There are 10 Engineering programs and 9 iBioMed programs (with or without a co-op) that you can select.
You’ll still participate in the common first year.
Have a discipline you can’t wait to pursue? Lock in your second-year spot when you apply!
Rank your choices
When applying to McMaster University to start in Fall 2027, you’ll be able to rank your options.
You can rank up to three specific programs in one application to Engineering and/or iBioMed. You’ll be considered for each program in the order you list them. The next choice is only considered if you’re not accepted into the one before it.
You’ll indicate your top choice when you apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). After you apply, you’ll receive access to a McMaster applicant portal; that’s where you can rank up to two more options.
Here are two examples:
Engineering
An application to Engineering could include:
- Materials Engineering Track (in OUAC)
- Civil Engineering Track (in the McMaster portal)
- Discovery Track (in the McMaster portal)
iBioMed
An application to iBioMed could include:
- Discovery Track (in OUAC)
- Engineering Physics and Biomedical Engineering Track (in the McMaster portal)
- Health, Engineering Science & Entrepreneurship Track (HESE) (in the McMaster portal)
Did you know? iBioMed is jointly offered by the Faculties of Engineering and Health Sciences.
Graduates of the Engineering programs will receive a Bachelor of Engineering (though graduates of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering will earn a Bachelor of Engineering & Biosciences).
Graduates of iBioMed will earn a Bachelor of Engineering & Biomedical Engineering; those in the HESE program will earn an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Please note when applying to the Discovery Track: Program allocation is a competitive process based on cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in first year. Students are assigned to programs based on preference and available capacity.
Program options for Engineering & iBioMed
Please note: You cannot rank iBioMed programs within an Engineering application, or Engineering programs within an iBioMed application.
Enhance your degree with co-op
You’ll also decide on whether you want to achieve your degree with or without co-op. Co-op allows you to gain job experience while you study, making it a great opportunity to apply academic knowledge outside the classroom. Co-op is available for all programs.
Quick reminder: this page is for students starting Engineering or iBioMed in Fall 2027!
Starting in Fall 2026 (or interested in Computer Science or Bachelor of Technology)? Let’s get you to the right spot.
No, ranking your preferences doesn’t use up your programs in OUAC. Your application to Engineering counts as one program, whether you rank one or three choices.
The same goes for an iBioMed application. No matter how many you list, it still counts as one application.
High school courses required for admission will not change. An applicant is required to have an 87 per cent average and complete a supplementary application to be considered for admission. Consideration does not guarantee admission; admission depends on the strength of the applicant pool.
Get to know more about one of the best engineering schools in Canada at our upcoming events. Check our event calendar to explore our in person and virtual events.
Can’t make it out to meet us? Use our undergraduate program filter to learn all about the different programs at McMaster Engineering. Just remember: some of the details will be for students applying for Fall 2026.
Regardless of your program, you’ll develop a common foundation in your first year. Program-specific courses start in second year.
All Discovery Track students who are in good standing and complete their first year requirements will have a seat in a second year program.
Program allocation is a competitive process based on cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in first year. Students are assigned to programs based on preference and available capacity.
All Engineering and iBioMed programs are listed in the program options chart on this page.
Please note: The Engineering Discovery Track leads only to Engineering programs; the iBioMed Discovery Track leads only to iBioMed programs.
Please note: if you receive “Free Choice” in your offer letter, maintain good academic standing and complete first year requirements, you’ll receive your top choice of program in second year.
Yes, it is possible to change programs within Engineering or iBioMed. Program changes depend on available space and are considered through a competitive process based on your cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Changes cannot be guaranteed.
