McMaster Kinesiology admission requirements: the low 90s range, three courses and rolling offers

McMaster asks Ontario students for a high school diploma plus six Grade 12 U or M courses. For Kinesiology those must include English (ENG4U), Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) and Biology (SBI4U).

Chemistry and Physics aren't required. McMaster highly recommends Kinesiology (PSK4U), the Grade 12 course on human movement. Plan your courses with our course planner.

McMaster lists an anticipated admission average in the low 90s for Kinesiology, with a target enrolment of 250. It's an anticipated range, not a promised cut-off.

McMaster's two pages don't quite match. The admissions tool, which is set up for Fall 2027, says low 90s. The Department of Kinesiology's admission page, which shows no year, still says high 80s to low 90s. Plan around the admissions tool's low 90s, since it's the newer, cycle-specific figure.

McMaster doesn't publish a Kinesiology acceptance rate. Our McMaster acceptance rate page explains what it does publish. Work out your average with our Top 6 average calculator.

Apply through OUAC with code MV. McMaster's tool lists April 1, 2027 as the application deadline for Kinesiology. There's no supplementary application, and Ontario high school grades go to McMaster from OUAC.

Offers come on a rolling basis. From February to March, McMaster considers current Ontario students with at least three final or six midterm Grade 12 U or M marks. It reviews you again when second-semester midterms arrive, sends offers as grades come in until May 15, and communicates final decisions by May 27. Because offers roll, applying early means you're reviewed early.

Kinesiology at McMaster is direct entry, so you start program courses in first year. Level 1 includes Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Physical Activity, Human Nutrition and Health, and Foundations in Kinesiology, plus five electives. Over four years, the department says, the mix of basic and applied science prepares you to work directly as a kinesiologist or go on to graduate, medical or professional school, with classroom, lab and fieldwork placement experience.

The department describes a cell-to-society approach to human movement and health. You'll use a 5,000 square foot teaching facility with exercise physiology and biomechanics testing pods and motion capture. The Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) offers research and volunteer roles with community exercise programs for people with chronic disease or disability.

Kinesiology is one of McMaster's Science co-op programs, but you don't join at admission. You apply in second year and start in third year, alternating study and paid work terms. You graduate with 12 to 16 months of experience, and co-op adds a year, making the degree five years.

To apply you need Science 2C00 in second year, the program's course requirements and at least a 5.0 GPA, though McMaster notes co-op admission is usually much higher. The current application window closes January 8, 2027. Fees are a one-time $1,200, $300 a year in the fall of your second and third co-op years, and $690 for each of four work terms. A job isn't guaranteed.

Outside co-op, the Faculty of Science offers applied science placement courses, research practicum courses and science internships. McMaster's Office of Undergraduate Research supports student research projects.

Graduates have gone on to medicine, physiotherapy, chiropractic, occupational therapy, dentistry and education, as well as work in biomechanics, ergonomics, cardiac rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning.

From Alberta, you need English Language Arts 30-1, Math 31 or AP Calculus, and Biology 30 among five 30 or 31 level courses. McMaster uses the blended mark for ELA 30-1. From BC, you need English Studies 12 (or English 12 or English 12 First Peoples), Biology 12 or Anatomy and Physiology 12, and Calculus 12 or AP Calculus among five approved Grade 12 courses.

Students from both provinces send first-semester grades and a list of all their courses for the year by February 15. Supporting documents are due April 1, 2027. For applicants who aren't current Ontario high school students, McMaster normally releases decisions four to five weeks after every required document shows as received in its applicant portal.

Kinesiology is a limited-enrolment program, and the department says only a small number of exceptionally qualified students transfer into Kinesiology I each year. If you already hold a university degree, you can't apply.

Students from other universities are admitted by selection. Those who meet the minimum standards are contacted to complete a supplementary application. Current McMaster students apply by submitting the department's supplementary application by April 30, with at least a 9.0 (B+) average over at least 24 units taken in the fall and winter terms. Transfer students may need extra time to finish all the required courses.

McMaster's fee schedule doesn't list Kinesiology separately. Its Faculty of Science BSc Level 1 rows show tuition of $6,163.20 for Ontario students in 2026-27 and $6,286.20 for 2027-28. Students from other provinces pay $7,715.70 and $7,869.90, and international students $47,535.30. The file is titled a proposed schedule.

For September 2027, the automatic McMaster University Entrance Award gives Faculty of Science students $3,000 with a final admission average of 97% or more. Other entrance awards and bursaries need an application by February 19, 2027. Read our McMaster financial aid guide.

McMaster Kinesiology is decided on grades, and the range sits in the low 90s. Calculus is required, which surprises some students who expected a biology-only list.

Many kinesiology students later apply to physiotherapy, occupational therapy or medicine, which have their own admission rules. An adviser can help your child build a list with a few different averages.