McMaster Arts & Science admission requirements: an 88% minimum, ENG4U, Advanced Functions or Calculus, and a supplementary application

McMaster describes Arts & Science as a broad, interdisciplinary program that bridges the arts and the sciences. It has run for more than 40 years. The core courses are only for Arts & Science students, and they build writing, speaking and critical reasoning skills. Classes and tutorials are small.

It is a direct-entry program. If you are admitted, you are in Arts & Science from first year to graduation. McMaster says graduates go on to fields such as law, education, health policy, dentistry, occupational therapy, biochemistry and sustainability.

McMaster's admission tool lists the OSSD plus six 4U or M courses. They must include ENG4U and one of MHF4U or MCV4U. Two of the other four courses must be at the U level.

McMaster recommends MCV4U, and the program office calls Calculus and Vectors strongly recommended. First year includes a full-year calculus course, so the extra math helps. Plan your Grade 12 timetable with our course planner.

The admission tool lists an anticipated admission range of min. 88%. The program office says the minimum average required for consideration is 88%, and that only applicants with high academic standing are selected.

Treat 88% as the minimum to be considered, not a safe target. The supplementary application is part of the decision too. Check your number with our Top 6 average calculator.

Yes, by McMaster's own description. Admission is limited and by selection only, the minimum average is 88%, and the target enrolment is 70 students. McMaster does not publish an acceptance rate or the number of applicants for Arts & Science, so no rate can be stated.

With about 70 spots and selection by review, grades alone may not decide your file. That's why the supplementary application carries real weight.

Every applicant must complete the mandatory supplementary application, which has two parts. You must have applied to Arts & Science I (MX) on OUAC. You log in with your MacID, which arrives about a week after you submit your OUAC application and payment.

Part A has five questions, each with a 1,500 character limit that includes spaces and punctuation. McMaster asks you to avoid line breaks and formatting, and not to include your name or anything that identifies you. The 2027 questions ask about:

Part B lets you opt in to the Equitable Admissions Process for Black and/or Latin American/Latinx applicants or the Facilitated Admissions Process for Indigenous applicants. Every applicant must submit Part B, even if you skip those questions. You can save and come back before you submit.

The program office is clear. It says: "We need to know about YOU, so please complete all sections of this form without help." It also says you "must NOT use generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to help complete your application," and that doing so will be treated as an infringement of academic integrity.

McMaster adds that there is no formula for a good application, and asks you to answer honestly, carefully and authentically. Because of this rule, we don't write, edit or coach supplementary answers for this program.

Apply on OUAC by January 15, 2027. The supplementary application is due February 1, 2027 at 11:59 pm Eastern. Ontario high school grades go to McMaster from OUAC, so you don't upload them.

For current Ontario high school students, McMaster says your applicant checklist will show the submitted supplement within 3 to 4 weeks. Download a copy for your records. Line up your dates on our Ontario deadlines page.

First-year courses are Practices of Knowledge (ARTSSCI 1A03), Contemporary Indigenous Studies (1AA3), Writing (1B03), Argumentation (1BB3), Global Challenges Inquiry (1C06) and Calculus (1D06). You add one Level I science course or elective each term.

Second year includes Social and Political Thought, Physics, Economics and Statistics, with two electives each term. Third and fourth year include Technology and Society, Culture and Religion, a range of Inquiry courses and an individual study or thesis.

The Honours degree is 120 units. To enter it after first year, you need to complete Arts & Science I with a GPA of at least 6.0. You also take six units from a list of Level I science courses by the end of second year.

Electives grow each year, from two per term in second year to three per term later. You can use them for a Combined Honours with over 30 subjects, such as Economics, Computer Science, Biology, Philosophy or Political Science, or for a minor.

The admission tool lists co-op and internship as not available. The program page says co-op and internships are unavailable at this time. Many students instead spend all or part of third year abroad through McMaster's exchange program, in places like Australia, England, France, Japan and the Netherlands.

McMaster's proposed tuition schedule lists B.Arts Sc. Level 1 tuition at $6,163.20 for domestic students in 2026-27 and $6,286.20 in 2027-28. Students from other provinces pay $7,715.70 and $7,869.90. International students pay $47,535.30 in both years.

These are tuition only. Supplementary fees, books and housing are extra, and the schedule is labelled proposed.

The McMaster University Entrance Award needs no application. For students entering in September 2027, Arts & Science students qualify with a final admission average of 98.00% or higher, and the award is worth $3,000. McMaster says averages are not rounded.

Other entrance awards, some by application, are listed on the Registrar's page. Read our McMaster financial aid guide for bursaries and other support.

The bar is high: a minimum of 88%, about 70 spots, and a supplement your child must write alone. McMaster bans outside help and generative AI on the form, so the best support is a calm schedule, not edits.

After admission, your child needs a 6.0 GPA in first year to continue into the Honours degree. Read our McMaster guide for campus and residence context.