FAQ's for Other Applicants

Q. What do I need to be eligible for admission to MRSc.?
A. All applicants to the collaborative MRSc program must present, as a minimum, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and six Grade 12 U/M (or OAC) courses (or equivalent from other jurisdictions). 

• English
• One of Advanced Functions or Calculus & Vectors
• Biology
• Chemistry
• One of Advanced Functions or Calculus & Vectors or Physics

It is strongly recommended that one of the two additional courses be Physics, however this course is not mandatory. Applicants who have not completed Grade 12U Physics prior to entry to the program will be required to complete an equivalent course in their first term of study.  Some students may find this coursework to be challenging therefore it is advised that all applicants should try to complete Grade 12 Physics prior to commencing the program in September.

It is anticipated that a minimum average of the six courses in the range of 83-85% will be required. The actual cutoff will be established late in March, 2012.

Q. I do not have the high school courses that are required for consideration. Can I still apply?
A. The requirements are intended to ensure success within the program. The specific course requirements are in place so that students are prepared for their first year coursework. This is also the reason that Physics is strongly recommended. Applicants who lack the prerequisite courses cannot be considered.

Q. May I apply to the MRSc program as a Mature student?
A. There is no "mature" admission category to this program. All applicants must present at least the minimum high school requirements for consideration.

Note: McMaster University's Definition of "Mature Students"
Applicants who normally would be academically ineligible for admission consideration may be assessed for eligibility as a mature student. Applicants are considered for limited admission to part-time study provided all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1. The applicant is at least 21 years old, or will be, prior to the first day of classes for the session to which they applied.
2. The applicant has not attended secondary school for at least two years.
3. The applicant has never attended university.

As stated above, this category of admission does not apply to the Medical Radiation Sciences program.

Q. I did not complete the Grade 12 U (or OAC) courses, but I have completed a college diploma program at a college in Ontario. I think I completed all courses required for admission as part of my college program. Are the college courses considered to be equivalent?
A. At present, for this joint program, McMaster University, Faculty of Sciences and Mohawk College, School of Health Sciences are not able to treat courses offered through colleges as equivalent to the required courses in Biology, Advanced Functions & Introductory Calculus and Chemistry for the purposes of admission to the program.

Q. I am currently attending another university and wish to transfer to the MRSc program. How do I do this?
A. As long as you have all of the prerequisite courses at either the high school level or the equivalent from your university study, and you have a cumulative average for your university courses in the "B" to "A" range, then you may apply to the first year of the MRSc program through the "Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) Spaces in the program are limited and competition will be keen. Note: Read Q & A on transfer credit.

Q. I have already completed a university degree. May I apply for a second degree in MRSc. ?
A. Yes, see the above answer for admission consideration limitations. Note: Read Q & A on transfer credit.

Q. As a university transfer / second degree applicant, how much transfer credit can I expect for my previous studies?
A. Transfer credit for prior university study is considered on an individual case-by case basis. It should be noted that there are 45 weeks of clinical placement required for the MRSc program plus professional practice courses, and the applied nature of the program simply does not allow for many transfer credits. Students therefore cannot expect a shortened time frame for completion of the program.

Q. Will my extracurricular activities and my work experience be considered for admission to the program?
A. All admissions will be based upon previous academic achievements. There is not a supplementary application requirement for this program. However, this policy may be reviewed for future years.

Q. Can I do the MRSc program as a Part-time student?
A. The structure of the program does not allow part-time participation. All students must be prepared to study on a full-time basis.

Q. When can I expect a decision to be made regarding my admission to the program?
A. The majority of offers of admission for the high school category of applicants will be made in April and May of 2012.  University transfer applicants and Second Degree applicants may need to forward their final transcripts from their universities before a decision can be made on their applications for admission. Students in this category are advised to forward mid-year and end-of-year transcripts to the Admissions Office, McMaster University, as soon as the documents (showing grades) are available. While it may be possible to make early conditional offers of admission to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement, the majority of decisions for this category will be made later in June when final transcripts have been submitted.

Q. If I start in another first year program at McMaster can I transfer into the MRSc program?
A. Yes, you may be eligible to apply for internal transfer. However, admission would be into the first year of the program. Applications are made through the Associate Dean's office of the Faculty of Science. You should contact the office no later than March 1st for instructions.

Q. I have completed all of the required subjects/courses at my high school overseas. Do I need to take the Ontario high school courses?
A. If you meet the minimum requirements for applicants from your country for admission consideration to our university, then you do not need to take the courses again here in Ontario.  Please refer to our website: www.mcmaster.ca/oia/adreq.htm for minimum admission requirements from your country.

Q. English is not my first language. Are there English language requirements for entry to the MRSc. Program?
A. Yes. All applicants to the program must meet the minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for McMaster University. The minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score required is 86 with minimum scores of 20 in each of the four components of the new IBT TOEFL test (237 for the CBT TOEFL test and 580 for the PBT TOEFL test) for admission consideration.

Please visit the McMaster website:

McMaster Calendar: English Language Proficiency 

AND  McMaster Calendar: Program Specific Academic Regulations

for more information.

About the Program
Admission
The Program
FAQ for Ontario High School Students
FAQ for All Others
Professional Registration
Career Opportunities
Current Students

McMaster University Registrar's Office,
Gilmour Hall, Room 108
Phone: 905-525-4600
Fax: 905-527-1105