Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University

- Hamilton, Canada
Abroad

General Information

The Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University is world-renowned for pioneering Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and for its unique three-year MD program, which allows students to graduate and enter residency one year earlier than most other North American medical schools.

General Info

  • Established: 1965 (Renamed in 2004).

  • Location: 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario.

  • Degree Conferred: Doctor of Medicine (MD).

  • Duration: 3 Years (Year-round, with minimal summer breaks).

  • Language of Instruction: English.

  • Accreditation: Fully accredited by CACMS (Canada) and LCME (USA).

  • Eligibility: Primarily for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents. For 2026, 95% of seats are reserved for Ontario residents.

Campus Facilities

  • PBL Pioneer: The "McMaster Model" replaces traditional lectures with small-group tutorials (6–8 students) focused on analyzing complex clinical cases.

  • Three Medical Education Campuses (MECs):

    • Hamilton Campus: Based at the main McMaster University site.

    • Waterloo Regional Campus: Located in downtown Kitchener in partnership with the University of Waterloo.

    • Niagara Regional Campus: Based at Brock University in St. Catharines.

  • Master Adaptive Learner: The curriculum is designed to foster self-directed, lifelong learning habits.

    • Hospital & Medical Facilities

    Leading tertiary care hospital attached to the institution

    McMaster utilizes a massive clinical network called Mac-CARE (Community and Rural Education):

    • Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS): Includes the McMaster University Medical Centre, Juravinski Hospital, and the Hamilton General Hospital (a major trauma and cardiac center).

    • St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton: A leader in respiratory medicine, kidney transplants, and mental health.

    • Regional Sites: Training occurs in over 60 communities, including Burlington, Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, and Owen Sound.

    • Early Exposure: Clinical skills training begins in the very first month, allowing students to interact with patients much earlier than in traditional programs.

    Fee Structure

    State University Affordability

    Tuition is higher per year than other Ontario schools because students complete the degree in 3 years rather than 4.

    • Annual Tuition (Domestic): Approximately $27,001 CAD per year.

    • Ancillary Fees: Approx. $1,500 – $2,000 CAD per year (includes transit pass and health/dental plans).

    • Total Degree Tuition: Roughly $81,000 CAD (comparable to 4-year programs elsewhere).

    • Application Fee (OMSAS): Approx. $220 CAD (base) plus school-specific fees.

    City Details

    • Vibe: Known as "The Ambitious City" and the "Waterfall Capital of the World" (over 100 waterfalls). It is a major industrial hub undergoing a massive healthcare and tech renaissance.

    • Transport: Excellent. The HSR (Hamilton Street Railway) bus system is free for students with their HSR bus pass.

    • Climate: Humid continental. Cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers.

    • Safety: Generally safe; the Westdale area around the university is very student-friendly and walkable.

    Hostel & Mess

    • On-Campus Living: Brandon Hall and Mary E. Keyes Residence offer suite-style living for upper-year and graduate students.

      • Cost: Approx. $9,000 – $11,000 CAD for the academic year.

    • Off-Campus: Most medical students live in the Westdale or Ainslie Wood neighborhoods, which are within walking distance of the university.

      • Rent: Shared housing ranges from $800 – $1,200 CAD per month.

    • Dining: Medical students typically self-cater. The campus features "Hospitality Services" with several cafeterias, but most MD students prefer the freedom of off-campus kitchens.

      • Food Budget: Approx. $400 – $600 CAD per month.

    Miscellaneous

  • Academic Requirements: Minimum 3 years of undergraduate study.

    • Minimum GPA: 3.0/4.0 on the OMSAS scale (Competitive GPA is usually 3.90+).

  • Standardized Tests:

    • MCAT: Only the CARS (Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills) section is considered. Minimum of 123 is required, but the average for accepted students is typically 129.

  • CASPer Test: Mandatory online situational judgment test. It is a major component of the selection formula.

  • Formula for Interview Selection: 32% GPA + 32% MCAT CARS + 32% CASPer + 4% Bonus (for Master/PhD).

  • Interview: Shortlisted candidates (approx. 500) attend the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI), which McMaster itself invented.

  • 2026 Timeline: Applications close October 1, 2025. Virtual MMI dates are scheduled for March 7, 8, and 11, 2026.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Students must typically have a minimum of 50% marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in the 12th standard (40% for reserved categories) and must have qualified NEET in the current or previous two years, as per NMC guidelines.

    The duration is generally 6 years in total, which includes 5 years of academic study (54 months) and 1 year of compulsory internship (12 months), fully complying with the latest National Medical Commission (NMC) rules.

    The process is simple: 1. Submit scanned documents (10th, 11th, and 12th mark sheets, NEET result, Passport scan, and a recent passport-size photograph with a white background). 2. Receive the Admission Letter from the University. 3. Process the Invitation Letter for Visa. 4. Complete the Visa application with our assistance.

    Yes, all our partner universities are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Graduate doctors can also write major global licensing exams such as USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), AMC (Australia), and the FMGE/NExT exam for India.

    While most universities admit based on your 12th marks and NEET qualification, some may require a simple online entrance test or interview. We will guide you through any such requirement.

    Fees typically cover the Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Medical Insurance, Visa Extension, and administrative charges. A detailed, transparent fee structure showing Tuition Fee, Hostel Fee, Mess Charges, Visa/Invitation Fee, and Medical Assurance Fee for each country and university will be provided upfront.

    Payment schedules are determined by the individual university. Some universities allow semester-wise payments, while others require annual payments. We will provide clear guidance on the university's official payment schedule.

    We are committed to transparency. All costs, including consultation charges and university expenses, are detailed in your offer letter. We strongly advise against any form of donation.

    Yes, we coordinate group departures for students and assist with flight ticket booking. Our representative will meet the students at the destination airport and provide transport to the university hostel.

    Hostels offer secure accommodation with separate facilities for boys and girls. Indian meals are generally cooked and served by Indian caterers within the hostel premises or mess hall to ensure a suitable diet for students.

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