McMaster is an academically-impressive university that sits within the top 100 universities globally (Times Higher Education, 2022) and has many unique facets that set it apart from its peers. One such being its innovative attitude to learning called the inquiry approach, a method of self-sufficient, problem-based learning which originated in the medical school. This approach is engineered to shape young minds and their critical thinking skills to create the best graduates McMaster can do. In 2018, McMaster also received the Global Teaching Excellence Award from the Higher Education Academy for their commitment to experiential learning and global engagement.

There are 6 faculties at McMaster:

• Faculty of Engineering
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Social Science
• Degroote School of Business

McMaster is particularly proud of its Medicine courses, and associated subjects, ranking 15th in the world for Nursing (QS World University Ranking, 2021) and 41st in Medicine (QS, 2021).

Located in Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster’s main campus is 300 acres in size and surrounded by the breathtaking Royal Botanical Gardens. At the main campus you’ll find the Health Sciences Centre (HSC), the John Hodgins Engineering Building, two libraries and impressive sports facilities.

The campus is easily accessible by car with ample parking for students, yet the campus is largely pedestrianised to create a better education atmosphere. There are several bus stops around the main campus that can ferry students in and around Hamilton, but also a Canadian Coach and a Greyhound Service nearby with links to other nearby Canadian cities and also Toronto International Airport.

The other 5 campuses contain only one or two buildings dedicated to one specific faculty or department, such as the David Braley Health Sciences Centre at the Downtown Hamilton Campus. The campuses are available to view here through this interactive map. 

McMaster funds a business incubator called The Forge that launched in 2015. They work in-depth with entrepreneurs to further ideas and concepts that will blossom into successful businesses, from the ideation stage to growth. Clients receive support in many varieties, from office space to non-dilutive seed funding and much more.

McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) is also a fascinating development at McMaster; a research and innovation centre that “acts as a bridge between academia and industry” where companies can compile research for their business and students can foster their ideas in accelerator and incubator programmes. The focal point sectors of MIP are primarily Life Sciences & Biotech, Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing, and Information & Communications Technology.

McMaster has an excellent research output, whose professors generated over C$1.7billion in external research funding from 2014-19.

Their renown in the academic world is reflected in how many academics cite their studies, scoring 93.1 in the citations bracket in Times Higher Education’s (THE) 2022 overall ranking.

Students at McMaster have access to state of the art research facilities, perhaps most impressively the university’s low-powered nuclear reactor which is used for academic study, and also to produce medical isotopes for treatment of cancer.

Support is also available for any students submitting a research proposal through the Research Administration team who will help secure funding, seek collaborators, use available resources or even commercialise one's work.

McMaster is ranked 98th in the world in THE’s graduate employability ranking, and that high ranking is down to university initiatives such as The Forge, the previously mentioned business startup and incubator that incentivises students and businesses to collaborate on projects, and the MIP, the research and innovation centre that helps students become work-ready.

Also, students can make the most of co-op programmes that combine theory-based classroom study with practical real-world application through placements. One such venture is the Engineering Co-op and Career Services (ECCS), connecting students with employers with the aid of McMaster’s Engineering Faculty and society.

Students at McMaster can enjoy a variety of restaurants, bars and cafes on campus with a huge range of options, such as vegetarian/vegan options, Italian restaurants, and even a steak restaurant, some of which even have delivery options for complete ease of access. The hospitality finder allows students to know which businesses are near where students are at any given moment.

For those wanting to participate in sports, McMaster’s large 300 acre campus is well-suited to get the most out of the green space available to them and is kitted out with a large 10 acre field dedicated to athletics, baseball diamonds, a climbing wall, and a large 50 metre six-lane swimming pool.

The city of Hamilton is the 9th largest in Canada and is often described as the ‘waterfall capital of the world’, with over 120 waterfalls. Festivals take place at Gore Park and are a great spot to enjoy live music and the Hamilton Farmers Market is open all year round.

McMaster should be at the forefront of any prospective student’s mind when thinking about pushing themselves academically. Their innovative methods of teaching mean students come away from McMaster with a completely different experience than at most other similar universities. The opportunities for research are exciting, particularly for those who enrol onto the prestigious Medicine courses that the university has to offer.

The university is committed to providing fantastic student support throughout every part of the academic experience and afterwards through student services and the business support schemes that they supply.

The campus is large, green, and operates entirely with students in mind, making for an optimal setting for learning and enjoying the university experience. In the scenic city of Hamilton, students have a great balance of metropolitan life and connection to nature. McMaster is certainly a university to be proud of attending.