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Get to Know McMaster

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History

McMaster University was founded in 1887 in the city of Toronto by Senator William McMaster. The University was a bequest from Senator William McMaster, a member of the first senate after Confederation, founding president of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and chair of the Great Western Railway. As the facility grew, it was apparent more campus space was needed. In 1930, McMaster University relocated to the city of Hamilton.

World Class Rankings

Ranked among the top 100 public universities globally in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (WUR). McMaster has been ranked 18th in the world in the THE’s Global Impact Rankings for 2026, based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Leaders in Teaching & Research

In 2018, McMaster received the Global Teaching Excellence Award from the Higher Education Academy for the university’s commitment to experiential learning and global engagement. McMaster consistently ranks among Canada’s most research-intensive universities and placed third in graduate student research intensity in the 2025 Research Infosource rankings.

Student Centered Learning

The McMaster Method, a problem-based, student centred approach to learning has been adopted world wide.

Renowned Research Centres & Institutes

McMaster is home to 70 research centres and institutes that cross boundaries and disciplines.

Helping Students Excel Outside of the Classroom

Whether you are an athlete, artist or world traveler, McMaster’s student life has something for everyone. McMaster has over 300+ student-led clubs on campus, more than 70 international exchange agreements and world- class athletic facilities. Our athletic facilities have been home to National Women’s Basketball Champions in 2019 and National Football Champions in 2011.

Our Students

  • McMaster is home to 31,779 undergraduates and 5,477 graduate students, for a total student population of 37,256.
  • More than 253,477 alumni represent 145 countries, including Canada.

Our Alumni

  • More than 253,477 alumni represent 145 countries, including Canada.
  • Our alumni are cabinet ministers, business leaders, scientists, professional musicians, university presidents, Hollywood actors, Olympians, and the first Canadian female astronaut.
  • Nobel laureates: Professor Emeritus Bertram Brockhouse, co-winner of the 1994 Nobel Prize in Physics; alumnus Myron Scholes, co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Economics; alumna Donna Strickland, co-winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Our Faculty and Staff

  • McMaster is home to 1,089 full-time instructional faculty members (excluding clinical educators), 124 chairs and 13 professorships, 86 allotted Canada Research Chairs, one Canadian Institutes of Health Research Chair, two Ontario Research Chairs.
  • Research intensity (research income per full-time faculty member) averages $419,000 at McMaster.
  • Selected as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer for the past eleven years in a row.
  • Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the past eight years in a row.
  • The university employs more than 19,000 faculty, research, staff, student and interim employees.