The Engineering Co-op Program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain valuable engineering work experiences before they graduate.

The program combines academic study with work terms of duration from 4 to 16 months in length.

All about co-op

OSAP is a financial aid program that can make it easier for students and families to go to college or university.

The program offers funding for school through grants (money you don’t have to pay back) or a student loan (money you need to repay).

Funding is available for both full and part-time postsecondary students, and is based on a number of factors, including your family income. Some students may get their tuition covered by OSAP.

Visit OSAP Website

The McMaster Work Program offers students, who demonstrate financial need, the opportunity for meaningful employment on-campus.

These are paid part-time positions during the fall/winter term, and full-time or part-time during the summer.

Learn more

The amount of money you will spend on tuition and housing vary depending you whether you are an international or domestic student and on whether you plan to live on your own in residence or off-campus or commute from home.

Visit McMaster University’s Cost Estimator to find an approximation of the total fees customized for you.

Acess cost estimator

We have 4 programs offered under the Faculty of Engineering:

1. Combined Degree/Diploma Bachelor of Technology Programs. This program rewards graduating students with a Bachelor of Technology from McMaster University, an Advanced Diploma and a Business Certificate from Mohawk College. Offered in three streams:
   1. Automation Engineering Technology
   2. Automotive and Vehicle Engineering Technology
   3. Biotechnology
2. Computer Science. This program rewards graduating students with a Bachelor of Applied Sciences.
3. Engineering I. This program rewards graduating students with a Bachelor of Engineering. Students go through a general first year and choose their second year stream of interest at the end of their first year. The second year streams are listed in the question below.
4. Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences. This program rewards graduating students with a Bachelor of Engineering and a specialization in Biomedical Engineering or Bachelor of Health Sciences and a specialization in Entrepreneurship. Similar to Engineering I, students go through a general first year and choose their second year stream of interest at the end of their first year.

• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical and Bioengineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Software Engineering

With the exception of Chemical and Bioengineering, any of these programs can also be combined with the Society or Management options.

iBioMed students cannot select Chemical and Bioengineering, Computer Engineering, or the Society or Management options.

B.Tech. students enter directly into one of three interdisciplinary streams:

• Automation Engineering Technology
• Automotive and Vehicle Engineering Technology
• Biotechnology

To learn more about the engineering disciplines offered at McMaster, click here.

In-person MacEng Tours are currently scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m EST.

IF YOU ARE A LARGE GROUP (EX. HIGH SCHOOL GROUP) PLEASE CONTACT THINKENG@MCMASTER.CA DIRECTLY TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE TOUR FOR YOUR GROUP.

Please book your tour here.

For more information on places to see and food to eat, visit tourismhamilton.com

Please visit the BTech DCP page for more information.

Once you apply on OUAC, you should receive an email shortly with information regarding your Mac ID and student number. If you have not received this email, please email us at thinkeng@mcmaster.ca with your full name, registered email, and OUAC reference number. We will then look into this for you!

Nope, it does not matter! We do not factor your OUAC program choice into our admissions decisions.

FULL SUPPLEMENTARY APPLICATION INFORMATION

What is involved?

Supplementary Application (mandatory) – $50 Fee | Submission Deadline: Friday, January 27th (12:00 pm – noon) Eastern Time

The supplementary application is a mandatory part of the admissions process for students applying to any of our Faculty of Engineering programs, which includes Bachelor of Technology, Computer Science, Engineering 1 and/or Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed), including all 2nd-degree applicants. Only one application is required if you are applying to more than one of these programs.

The supplementary application will consist of 4 questions (3 video responses and 1 written response) and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.  Unlimited practice sessions are available for video responses, however, once you begin your formal video interview, you will only get one opportunity to answer each question.

For each video response: you will receive 1 minute to prepare your answer and 2 minutes to verbally respond to your question.
Written Response: you will have 10 minutes to complete your answer from when you receive the question.

How you respond to these questions is an opportunity for you to show us how you project yourself in person and in written formats under a time restraint. You will receive an invitation by email to access the supplementary application portal within 10 business days of completing your application through OUAC. Once you have access, you can practice as many times as you want before you start your actual interview. Please note that once you begin your actual interview, you will have 20 minutes to complete the entire process.

What are some sample questions? 

Examples of practice supplementary application questions (practice questions will be different from real interview questions):

• What does being resourceful mean to you, and why is it important?
• Tell us about a time management strategy you used. Why does it work?
• How do you create a balance for yourself when working in a stressful environment­?
• Give us an example of a time you acted with integrity.

I have not received the email with the login information.

Please wait 10 business days for the email to be sent to you. If it has been more than 10 business days, please email thinkeng@mcmaster.ca with the issue and your McMaster Student number.

I am having technical problems with my KIRA application.

Please email KIRA directly at support@kiratalent.com

Please visit the admissions site for the most up-to-date information regarding admission requirements.

Along with your admissions average, we also take your performance on the mandatory supplementary application into account.

You can check your application status on your Mosaic student centre. This is the first place you will be able to see an offer. We will email you as well shortly after Mosaic is updated!

If you are granted Free Choice, it will be stated on your offer of admission (determined based on your grades, presented at the time of admission) or on Mosaic (determined based on your final grades).

Free Choice is granted to incoming Engineering and iBioMed students with a high admissions average. With Free Choice, you are guaranteed your first choice of program after first year. Exceptions to the free choice are: Chemical & Bioengineering, as well as the Management and Society options.

iBioMed students with Free Choice can select both their second year degree (Heath, Engineering Science and Entrepreneurship OR Biomedical Engineering) and their second year engineering discipline, if choosing Biomedical Engineering.

Please note that even without Free Choice, many of our students are admitted into their first choice of program after first year.

For the Fall 2023 intake, the cut-offs for Free Choice are:

• Engineering 1-  96%
• iBioMed 1 – 98%

You will not be at a disadvantage if you take a required course in the summer, night class or online. We will only consider the grades you’ve received for required courses.

Please note that your high school diploma and all required courses must be completed by June 30th to maintain your offer of admission. You can’t take any high school courses over the summer after Grade 12 before your September enrolment to change any admission decisions. 

No, you will not be at a disadvantage.

If you have repeated up to two courses, the highest reported mark will be used to calculate your admission average. If you repeat more than two courses, or an individual course three or more times, you may be asked to provide a letter explaining the need for the retakes. This information may be considered when determining admission.  
 
Courses completed after June 30 (immediately prior to the Fall intake) will not be included in your admission average calculation.  https://future.mcmaster.ca/apply/pre-application/ouac-101/  

Please visit the admissions page focusing on language.

Offers of admission for Computer Science, BTech, and Engineering are sent out in two rounds: the first round of offers will be sent out within the first two weeks of March, and the second round in early May.

iBioMed offers are sent out in early May (one round only).

You will not be considered for Engineering 1 automatically if you are not accepted into the iBioMed program. They are different programs with different requirements. You will have to apply to Engineering 1 separately if you are also interested in that program. The supplementary application need only be completed once if you are applying to both Engineering 1 and iBioMed.

Please see here for specific international admissions requirements: https://future.mcmaster.ca/admission/requirements/. Input “Attending a Secondary School outside Canada” and your country.

Please visit the admissions documents page for instructions on submitting international transcripts. Please see the section titled “Official Transcripts” for details.

Additionally, please visit the admissions language page for McMaster English Language proficiency (including required documentation and deadlines).

When you submit your transcripts, please include a school profile which includes the grade scale. The Admissions Office would need to review that information when they assess your application.

Lectures are the primary method for teaching and learning, where the professor explains various concepts for (usually) an hour. Labs and tutorials are more hands-on and have fewer students, which allows you to apply concepts learned in lecture and learn by asking more specific questions.

Each lab is approximately 3 hours long and tutorials are 1 or 2 hours long. Depending on the class, they will either be weekly or biweekly.

The average lecture size varies depending on the program you are in. Engineering students can expect an average lecture size of 250 – 400 students in their first year. Tutorials and labs range from 25 – 50 students depending on the course. Class sizes will decrease significantly as you progress through the program.

BTech students can expect lectures to be no more than 90 students, with the average size being closer to 60-80 students. Lab sizes will not exceed 20 students throughout all levels of the program.

The biggest class size a first year student can have is 600 students. This lecture is usually for the first year maths or chemistry. These lectures take place in MDCL 1305 which is McMaster University’s biggest lecture hall!

Every Faculty of Engineering program has a dedicated Academic Advisor and a team of administrative staff that are more than happy to assist you.

Professors and teaching assistants host weekly office hours where you can visit them to ask for help with homework problems, assignments, and for further explanation of challenging concepts. Additionally, many subjects have “drop-in centres” that usually take place more than once a week. There are multiple teaching assistants available here to answer any questions you may have about the course material.

In addition to being a resource for professional development, the Student Success Centre offers workshops throughout the year on how to study more effectively, take better notes, and do well on tests. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) provides academic accommodations and support to students with disabilities. You can find more information about SAS on the SAS website.

Please review this page about Supporting our Students. Some things that are outlined are Academic Resources, Tutoring Services, Co-op Office, Student Accessibility Services, etc.

During Winter term, first year engineering students will be able to access the program selection system on Mosaic. This is where you’ll need to rank the 12 program choices. You will receive communication of the program you’ve received been assigned to over the summer.

To help you make an informed decision, the different engineering departments will be hosting information sessions in the Winter term where you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and upper-year students in that program, as well as learn about the courses you would take and potential career opportunities.

Programming experience is not necessary for admission to the Engineering, BTech, or iBioMed programs. First year Engineering students take a computing course that specifically teaches you how to code in Python and is taught from the ground up (i.e. assuming you have no experience in this area). If you would like to get some practice in advance or are curious about coding, check out Codecademy, a site that teaches you how to code (for free!) in a variety of languages.

Get a head start on your university career through our flexible, optional pre-University program designed to suit your needs.

EMBER (Engineering Mentorship & Bridging Education Resources) 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 to students.

Co-op is only mandatory for the Bachelor of Technology Program.

It is optional for the Engineering, iBioMed and Computer Sciences programs. However, in order to achieve the co-op designation on your degree, you are required to complete at least 12 months of co-op experience.

For the Bachelor of Technology Program, you are required to complete a 4 month co-op term after the summer of your second year and an 8 month co-op term during your 3rd year.

For our other three programs, it has a flexible structure which enables students to design their own work-study sequences.You can complete a 4, 8, 12, 16 month co-op placement depending on your preference at any time during your undergraduate career.

The Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS) offers a wide variety of resources such as Mock Interviews, Networking Events, Resume Critiquing, etc. to help students in their search for a Co-op placement. For more information on the ECCS, please visit the ECCS page.

• Automation Engineering Technology
• Automotive Engineering Technology
• Biotechnology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemical & Bioengineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Physics
• Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Software Engineering

It is the student’s responsibility to apply and interview for co-op positions, but there are many supports available for you through the Engineering Co-op and Career Services office – including LinkedIn and resume workshops, networking events, 1:1 meetings, employer events, and much, much more!  

Want to learn how to land that dream job? Check out the Engineering Co-op and Career Services webpage and learn how they can help you every step of the way. 

Co-op work experience gives you a competitive advantage over all other new graduates. You have the ability to stay you already have a minimum of 1 year or more total paid work experience in your field. You can also count this co-op experience towards your PEO certification, if you meet the qualifications. 

The most obvious distinction is that you will graduate with a co-op designation on your degree and all the work you have done (even if you do not meet the 12-months of co-op requirement) will be recorded on your transcript. However, there are many other benefits to doing co-op. 

With a co-op degree, you will gain valuable work experience and technical skills that can boost your resume, which will aid your future career development. Your experiences will also create a job network that will be useful once you are looking for full-time permanent positions in the future. 

ANYWHERE!* Both domestic and international students can complete co-op placements locally or internationally.  

*in a typical year, may vary due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering has over $1,000,000 in entrance awards available!

Only one application is required to be considered for all the awards for which you are eligible.

SEE HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Additionally, every incoming student is automatically considered for the McMaster Entrance Awards. These entrance awards do not require a separate application. Scholarship values are based on a student’s final admission average to the program.

Regarding scholarship decisions for Fall 2023, typically, decisions will be made and winners will be notified around mid-March, although decisions could continue to be released after this on a rolling basis. Scholarship winners will see their award on Mosaic and will be communicated with by email. In addition, some winners may also receive their scholarships on their offer letter, but this is not always the case.

A typical entrance scholarship is valued at $7,500 and is open to both domestic and international students. We also have awards valued from $5,000-$15,000, including scholarships for FIRST Robotics, DECA, and SHAD alumni! We also have a $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship, that is open only for domestic students based on high school nomination.

Please keep in mind that we also “stack” scholarships, so there is the possibility of getting a $7,500 + $15,000 award for instance.

All Faculty of Engineering scholarship winners also receive a guaranteed campus research position valued at a minimum of $6,000. 

Please visit the Registrar’s aid and awards page for information on Scholarships, Bursaries, the Work Program, Loans (OSAP) and more!

International applicants can visit the future students: international page for more information on “Money Matters”!

The McMaster Engineering Society (MES) is essentially the engineering student government. Some of the things they do include improving student life by planning social events, increasing academic resources, and funding clubs and teams. To learn more about the MES, visit macengsociety.ca.

McMaster Engineering has many engineering clubs, teams and societies you can join to enhance your practical knowledge and soft skills, provide support, or give you the chance to explore new activities. Clubs are an enjoyable way to enrich your student life and contribute to your social development and academic success. Learn more on our clubs, groups and teams page!

A gym membership is included with your student fees. This gives you access to indoor and outdoor running tracks, a swimming pool, and a cardio & weight facility.

For organized team sports, McMaster has multiple varsity teams and sports clubs (more information is available on the Future Students website). There are also intramural sports offered throughout the year and at various levels of competition.

Fun fact: the McMaster Engineering Society (MES) will fund your intramural team if it is 80% engineering students (including B.Tech., Computer Science, and iBioMed) or more!

One of the Living Learning Communities offered through McMaster’s Residence Life Office in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering is specifically dedicated to first year Engineering students that offers a community focused on Innovation & Society. Students in this community will have access to programming aimed at building critical thinking, creativity and communication skills.

First-year engineers in the Innovation and Society LLC will learn a variety of practical skills essential to engineering. Through workshops, guest speakers, and competitions, students will become better problem solvers, critical thinkers, and effective communicators. At the same time, you will live in a community that will foster interdisciplinary relationships and multicultural views to help you thrive.

Read more about the LLC on the Housing and Conference Services website..

You are encouraged to explore our Supporting our Students webpage to learn all about the various resources and supports that exist at McMaster Engineering & McMaster University!