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McMaster Mosaic, MyTimetable and Avenue to Learn Explained
McMaster uses different systems at each stage. While you're applying, you track your application in an applicant portal. Once you've accepted, Mosaic becomes your student record for enrolment, fees and your bus pass. MyTimetable helps you build a conflict-free schedule. Avenue to Learn is where your courses run.
Sources checked September 29, 2026. View sources
Which system does what
Avenue to Learn is still McMaster's learning platform for 2026-27. It's the main place for course content, delivery and assessment, and you reach it at avenue.mcmaster.ca.
| System | When you use it | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Mosaic applicant portal | While applying, if you're an Ontario high school applicant | Tracking your application |
| Slate applicant portal | While applying, for all other applicants | Tracking your application |
| Mosaic | From early June after you accept, and throughout your degree | Enrolment appointments, enrolment, fees and account summary, and your HSR bus pass voucher |
| MyTimetable | Before and during your enrolment appointment | Building a conflict-free timetable and enrolling directly from it |
| Avenue to Learn | Once classes start | Course content, delivery and assessment |
From applicant to student
In early June, your status in Mosaic changes from applicant to student. That switch is what opens the enrolment tools.
In 2026, enrolment appointments appeared in MyTimetable and the Mosaic Student Center on June 12, when the fall/winter timetable was also released. Level 1 appointments began on June 24. McMaster hasn't published the 2027 dates yet, so use the Registrar's dates page for your year.
How first-year enrolment works
Your enrolment appointment is the date and time you can start enrolling. Appointments are assigned randomly and can't be changed. You can build your timetable in MyTimetable before then and add classes to your shopping cart.
A class in your shopping cart isn't an enrolment, and it doesn't hold a seat. When your appointment opens, go to Get This Schedule in MyTimetable, or enrol in Mosaic. Enrol as soon as you can after choosing your timetable.
McMaster doesn't offer waitlists for full classes. MyTimetable refreshes availability every 30 seconds, so if a section is full, choose another one or keep checking for an opening.
- Find your appointment date on the Registrar's enrolment dates and in the Mosaic Student Center.
- Build and compare timetables in MyTimetable before the appointment opens.
- Enrol at your appointment time. Don't wait for the cart to hold anything.
- Confirm your enrolled classes in Mosaic afterwards.
2026-27 dates that matter
These are McMaster's 2026-27 fall and winter dates for most undergraduate courses. Some programs run on different schedules, so check your faculty's instructions too.
| What | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Classes begin | Tuesday, September 8 | Monday, January 4 |
| Last day to enrol or change courses (drop/add) | Wednesday, September 16 | Tuesday, January 12 |
| Mid-term recess | October 12 to 18 | February 15 to 21 |
| Last day to withdraw without failure by default | Friday, November 27 | Monday, March 29 |
| Classes end | Thursday, December 10 | Wednesday, April 7 |
| Fee payment due | September 25 | January 25 |
Unpaid fees can block enrolment
Enrolling in a course doesn't pay for it. Fees go on your Mosaic account and are due September 25 for fall and January 25 for winter.
If your account isn't paid in full by the due date, McMaster charges a $102.20 late fee once per term and 1.2% monthly interest. Unpaid balances also lead to account blocks. An interim block in November lets you drop courses but not add them. A full-service block stops grades, transcripts and future enrolment.
Keep exploring
Sources and updates
This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Availability, access rules and application cycles can change; check the relevant university page before making a decision.
- McMaster Future Students: applicant portals
- McMaster Registrar: after you accept your offer
- McMaster Registrar: MyTimetable and enrolment appointments
- McMaster Registrar: 2026-27 dates, fee deadlines and blocks
- McMaster University Technology Services: Avenue to Learn
- McMaster Students Union: HSR bus pass voucher in Mosaic