McMaster University

  • 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8view map
  • (905) 525-9140
  • January 13, 2010 (Ontario students). All other students, please review the website for details.
  • April 15, 2010
  • www.mcmaster.ca

Fact Sheet

  • 1887
  • University
  • Research Intensive
  • English
  • 18,147
  • 3,507
  • $458 Million
  • $349 Million
  • 3,617,887
  • Martin Short actor; James Orbinski and Richard Heinzl - founding members of Doctors Without Borders; Dr. Samantha Nutt - War Child Canada founder; Roger Neilson - Hockey Hall of Famer; Dalton McGuinty - premier of Ontario

What the Students Say

Five Things:

  1. International reputation for research (science, medicine)
  2. Emphasis on problem-based learning
  3. Multidisciplinary programs; wide array of classes
  4. Diverse, friendly, sense of community
  5. Large class sizes in lower years

Courses With Kudos

Medicine; Health Sciences; Kinesiology; Science; Engineering; Business

Student Sound Offs

"I enjoy that I did not have to choose a major in the first year so I could explore classes; I've now chosen a major that is completely different from what I had originally planned."

"The pedestrian-only campus makes it safe and easy to walk around. The beautiful old ivy-covered buildings are one of my favourite parts, as is the nature reserve that Mac backs onto."

"The classes that I'm in are really small (about 25 students in 2nd and 3rd year, 10 or less in 4th year), so the profs really get to know the students."

"There are some language barriers, as some TAs and profs speak with heavy accents."

"Every course is more or less problem based learning. When I applied to Mac I thought it was only the medical school that was PBL; I would have like this fact to have been highlighted more."

"Best research school in Canada. Soon to have the world's most powerful electron microscope."

"The administration at McMaster seems to be concerned only with its research standing and supporting the business, engineering and medical students. One feels that if the administration could get rid of Humanities and remain an accredited university McMaster would do so."

"The recreation and athletics program at Mac is amazing. Between varsity, intramural and recreational classes, they have every sport you can imagine. The new gym is amazing, and includes wall-climbing facilities."

"The student centre truly is the heart of the school and there is always something interesting happening there. To experience the true diversity of McMaster, that is the place to be."

"Many of the residences are much nicer than McMaster advertises. The older ones have huge bedrooms, piano rooms, tea rooms, gorgeous wood carvings and old decorative windows."


Student survey results and additional indicators

For: McMaster University
Institution size classification: Large   (see the methodology)

    Notes
  1. Latest survey update: October 2009
  2. Other data sources: latest available data shown

Legend

Canadian University Report - Student Survey
Third Party Data - additonal indicators

Refine your results by selecting a field of study (the default is all fields of study combined).

Tuition

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Tuition and Ancillary Fees $5,499 $4,446

Overall Student Satisfaction

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Overall Satisfaction A- B+

Quality of Teaching

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with Overall Quality of Education A- B+
Satisfaction with Teaching Quality B+ B+
Satisfaction with Faculty Availability to Students A- B+
Satisfaction with Faculty Members Knowledge of Subject A A
Satisfaction with Level of Interaction with Faculty B B-
Satisfaction with Usefulness of Faculty Feedback B B-
Satisfaction with Quality of Academic Advising B C+
Teaching Awards (3M Teaching Awards) 2 2

Academic Resources

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with Convenience of Class Scheduling B- B-
Satisfaction with Ease of Course Registration Process C+ B
Satisfaction with Number of Courses to Choose from B B+
Satisfaction with Space to Register in Courses Necessary to Complete Your Degree B- B-
Satisfaction with Co-Op/ Internship Opportunities C C-

Campus Atmosphere

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with Overall University Atmosphere A B+
Satisfaction with Sense of Community on Campus B+ B-
Satisfaction with Diversity of Extracurricular Activities A B+
Satisfaction with Sense of Personal Safety and Security A A-
Satisfaction with Tolerance for Diverse Opinions and Ideas A- B+
Satisfaction with Helpfulness of Administrative Staff B+ B-

Class Size

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with Class Size B- B-
Average # of Students in 1st year Class 426 194
Percentage of All First Year Classes with < 30 Students 4% 10%
Percentage of All First Year Classes with 30-100 students 17% 42%
Percentage of All First Year Classes with 100+ Students 79% 48%
Percentage of All Fourth Year Classes with < 30 Students 25% 26%
Percentage of All Fourth Year Classes with 30-100 students 45% 56%
Percentage of All Fourth Year Classes with 100+ Students 29% 18%

Technology

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with Overall Quality and Availability of Technology On-Campus A- B+
Satisfaction with On-Campus Network B+ B+
Satisfaction with Computer Accessibility On-Campus B+ B+
Satisfaction with Availability of Up-To-Date Technology in Classrooms B+ B
Satisfaction with Availability of Up-To-Date Computer Equipment On-Campus A- B+
Satisfaction with Access to Course/ Teaching Materials On-Line A A-
Satisfaction with Labs and Research Equipment B+ B+

Physical Infrastructure

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with Overall Quality of On-Campus Buildings and Facilities B+ B
Satisfaction with Classrooms and Lecture Halls B B-
Satisfaction with Student Residences B B-
Satisfaction with the Attractiveness of Campus A B+
Satisfaction with Physical Fitness, Sports and Recreational Facilities A B+

Libraries

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Overall Library Satisfaction A- A-
Satisfaction with Availability of Study Space B B
Satisfaction with Library Hours of Operation B+ A-
Satisfaction with Total Library Holdings B+ B+
Satisfaction with Online Library Resources A- A-
Satisfaction with Library Staff B+ B+
Library Expenditures per Student $1,002 $1,104
Library holdings per Student 199 253

Campus Activity

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
How Often Attended Campus Social Events Sometimes Sometimes
How Often Attended Home Games of University Athletic Teams Rarely Rarely
How Often Participated in Student Clubs Sometimes Rarely
How Often Participated in Recreational and Sports Programs Rarely Rarely
How Often Attended Campus Cultural Events Rarely Rarely
How Often Participated in Community Service / Volunteer Activities Sometimes Rarely

Student Academic Experience

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
How Often Sought Advice from Professors About Marks or Assignments Sometimes Sometimes
How Often Worked in Groups to Complete Assignments or Readings Often Often
Number of Required Textbooks, Novels, Books or Course Packs Read 6 to 10 6 to 10
How Often Presented in Class Sometimes Sometimes
Number of Books or Novels Read for Personal Satisfaction 1 or 2 1 or 2
Number of Written Papers or Reports - Less than 5 pages 3 to 5 3 to 5
Number of Written Papers or Reports - 5 to 10 pages 3 to 5 3 to 5
Number of Written Papers or Reports - 11 to 19 pages 1 or 2 None
Number of Written Papers or Reports - 20 pages or More None None

Athletics

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with Recreational and Athletic Programs and Services A- B+
Percentage of Students Using Campus Recreation and Athletic Programs and Services 75% 60%
Athletic Scholarship Amounts per Athlete $350 $620
CIS Top Three Finishes 1 2

Student Services

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Overall Quality of Student Services B+ B
Satisfaction with Academic Support and Counseling B B-
Percentage of Students Using Academic Support and Counseling 58% 54%
Satisfaction with Campus Bookstore B+ B
Percentage of Students Using Campus Bookstore 99% 98%
Satisfaction with Food Services C+ C
Percentage of Students Using Food Services 97% 90%
Satisfaction with Campus Medical Services B+ B-
Percentage of Students Using Campus Medical Services 50% 38%
Satisfaction with Services for Aboriginal Students C+ C+
Percentage of Students Using Services for Aboriginal Students 3% 2%
Satisfaction with Services for International Students B- B-
Percentage of Students Using Services for International Students 8% 6%
Satisfaction with Services for Students with Disabilities B- B-
Percentage of Students Using Services for Students with Disabilities 7% 5%

Costs

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Tuition and Ancillary Fees $5,499 $4,446
Tuition and Ancillary Fees Min $5,499 $4,446
Tuition and Ancillary Fees Max $5,567 $5,950
Room and Board Min $6,305 $6,475
Room and Board Max $9,410 $8,520
Off-Campus Housing Min $4,072 $4,845
Off-Campus Housing Max $5,456 $5,993

Student Financial Assistance

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with the Overall Availability of Financial Assistance C+ C
Satisfaction with the Availability of Need-Based Scholarships and/ or Bursaries B- C
Satisfaction with the Availability of Merit Scholarships C+ C

Employment

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Satisfaction with the Degree to Which University Experience Will Prepare you for Employment B B
Satisfaction with Reputation of your University Among Employers A- B+
Satisfaction with Overall Quality of Career Preparation B B-
Satisfaction with Opportunities to Acquire Work Related Knowledge B- C+
Satisfaction with On-Campus Employment Opportunities B- C+

Student Enrolment

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
% Male - Full-Time, Undergraduate 43% 44%
% Female - Full-Time, Undergraduate 57% 56%
Percentage of International Students 7% 8%

Research Performance

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Number of Publications 2054 2276
International Collaborations 861 900
Total Research ($ Millions) $349 $279
Total research per faculty $303,860 $180,334
Federal Funding ($ Millions) $63 $74
Granting Council dollars per faculty $55,067 $46,815

Faculty

Results for: All fields of study Results Average
Total Faculty, Full-Time 1149 1457
% Faculty Male 68% 68%
% Faculty Female 32% 32%