Humanities

McMaster University

3 / 4 years
Duration (years)
3 years for BA; 4 years for Honours BA
McMaster 2026/27 degrees and programme durations, printed pages7–8
Optional paid Humanities internship
Work experience
The Faculty offers paid part-time or full-time internships of 4, 8, 12 or 16 months from Level II. Successful completion earns one academic unit and a transcript notation.
McMaster Faculty of Humanities paid internship terms
~Anticipated admission average of low-80s
Entering average
Published approximate guidance: Anticipated admission average of low-80s. 2027/28. Ontario high-school entry in 2027/28, exact listed route MH. Later major/option selection and other applicant categories remain separate.
McMaster university-supplied OUInfo: Humanities I, Ontario entry 2027/28

Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadlineThursday, November 19, 2026

OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
No single OUAC deadline
University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply

Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

ENG4UEnglish

Ontario Secondary School Diploma and six Grade 12 U or M courses, including the prerequisites.
Biology (SBI4U) is recommended for students considering Cognitive Science of Language in Level II.

Application steps

Entry terms · Fall

September 2027 first-year entry through OUAC code MH.

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
McMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicantsMcMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicants
Step 2Apply through OUAC
- Create your application and select this program.
OUACOUAC
Step 3Academic documents for your applicant category
- Canadian high school applicants outside Ontario upload the requested records to the Applicant Portal. Uploaded records can support initial review; accepted conditional offers require final official transcripts. Current Ontario high school applicants follow the separate instructions rather than sending unrequested records.
McMaster transcripts and documentsMcMaster transcripts and documents
Step 4English test results, if required
- When English proficiency evidence is required, IELTS, TOEFL and other accepted test results must come directly from the testing centre.
McMaster direct submission of language resultsMcMaster direct submission of language results
Step 5Apply through OUAC to the appropriate first-year entry programme or gateway; submit the required academic records.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicantsMcMaster Fall 2027 admission selector for Ontario high-school applicants

Applicant pathways

Humanities I: Prerequisites

Ontario high-school applicants entering Humanities I (MH) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

English 4U
*Completion of Biology 4U is recommended for students who are interested in pursuing the Cognitive Science of Language program in Level II.

Humanities I: Additional Admission Criteria

Ontario high-school applicants entering Humanities I (MH) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

OUAC Application Deadline: April 1, 2027 *Some programs may stay open beyond this deadline, depending on capacity. It is recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Humanities I: Basic Requirements for Admission

Ontario high-school applicants entering Humanities I (MH) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

If you have 6 Grade 12 U/M (4U/M) midterm grades or 3 final Grade 12 U/M (4U/M) grades, you will be considered for admission on a rolling basis beginning in February 2027. To be eligible, you must have 6 Grade 12 U/M courses, completed or in progress, including any program-specific requirements. Your application will be reviewed again once your second-semester midterm grades are received.
Note: Co-op courses are not included in any admission or final admission average calculations.
Admission to all programs requires the completion of English (ENG4U).

Humanities I: Timing and Process for Admission Decisions

Ontario high-school applicants entering Humanities I (MH) in 2027/28. Applies only to the named entry route; later major declaration is separate.

Be sure to check the university's Admission Tool for information and updates about the admission process, estimated cut-offs, enrollment targets, application deadlines and more. McMaster will begin making offers of admission at the end of February until early May on a rolling basis, based on a minimum of 3 final 4U/M grades and registration in sufficient 4U/M courses to a total of 6; or 6 interim and/or final 4U/M grades, including any required courses.
All offers are conditional upon completing the OSSD with at least six 4U/M courses and an acceptable final admission average, which will be specified in the offer of admission.
Most offers to the By-Selection Programs will be made in May. All of these programs require supplementary application information (except Midwifery, where an interview is part of the application process). Contact McMaster for details about application deadlines, timing of offers and more.
We do not automatically make alternative offers of admission. Instead, we encourage you to apply to all of the McMaster programs you are interested in (up to 3). We will give full consideration to each program selection.
We may not accept your application if you do not pay the OUAC application fee by the program deadline date.
NEW Level 2 Program: Bachelor of Health Sciences (Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities)
The new program brings humanities education offered by the Faculty of Humanities and combines it with the clinical knowledge of rehabilitation. This will create a unique undergraduate program that is focused on training empathetic professionals and engaged citizens.
In this program, just over half of the content will be offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences; just over one-third by the Faculty of Humanities; and the remaining one-sixth from other university courses to fulfill the learning outcomes of the program. With this structure, students in the BHSc (Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities) will encounter strong experiential learning components, options for clinical research and opportunities to participate in community engagement.

IB subjects and Ontario prerequisites

Ontario OSSD applicants presenting individual IB courses; full IB Diploma admission remains a separate curriculum route

Individual IB courses may be considered if you also complete a recognized secondary-school qualification. The full IB Diploma is a separate admission curriculum.
Where your program requires mathematics, Analysis and Approaches SL satisfies MHF4U and MCV4U. Analysis and Approaches HL or Applications and Interpretation HL satisfies MHF4U, MCV4U and MDM4U.
Applications and Interpretation SL satisfies MHF4U and MDM4U; the published equivalency does not include MCV4U. Use the subject prerequisites for your chosen program.

Ontario course formats and repeated-course review

Ontario high-school applicants; exact programme prerequisites remain controlling

Summer school, online, night and correspondence courses from a Ministry-accredited institution can be used without penalty. Summer courses immediately before September entry cannot be used for that admission.
For up to two repeated courses, the highest reported mark is used. More than two repeated courses, or one course taken three or more times, may require an explanatory letter. Courses completed after June30 immediately before Fall intake are excluded from that admission calculation. No held programme average is changed.

McMaster English Language Diploma alternative

Ontario applicants who do not meet the published English-proficiency requirement

The Ontario applicant page directs an applicant who does not meet English proficiency to consider changing the OUAC programme choice to the McMaster English Language Diploma (MELD). MELD is a separate choice with its own requirements; this is not a waiver or a promise of entry into every held bachelor programme.

Degree requirements

Credits and degree requirements

Humanities I:30 units; at most 12 units in one subject and at most 12 introductory-language units.
Admission to a Level II discipline normally requires 3–6 units of its relevant Level I subject.
The concurrent Skills for Life certificate requires 18 units, including 9 in first year and 9 in Levels II–IV. The calendar identifies exemptions for certain degree routes.

References

Required courses and electives

Humanities I uses 30 units: 9 in mandatory skills courses, 12 from Humanities Course List 1 and 9 electives.

References

Program facts

Entering average~Anticipated admission average of low-80s

Ontario high-school entry in 2027/28, exact listed route MH. Later major/option selection and other applicant categories remain separate.

InternshipOptional paid Humanities internship

The Humanities Internship Program offers paid full-time and part-time placements.

The Faculty offers paid part-time or full-time internships of 4, 8, 12 or 16 months from Level II. Successful completion earns one academic unit and a transcript notation.

Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

Humanities I is an exploratory first year. Choose a later subject for the BA, Honours BA or Combined Honours BA. Check the Level II course requirements for that subject.

Cognitive Science of Language

Study how language is acquired, processed and represented, drawing on linguistics and psychology.

Published requirements Published courses

Courses

Named courses in the selected current requirements and choice menus. Alternatives are included; not every listed course is mandatory. The PDF is the university’s abridged advising edition.

First year: Humanities required skills courses3 listed

These three courses make up the required 9-unit skills component of the 30-unit Humanities I year.

HUMAN 1DL3DIGITAL LITERACY FOR THE HUMANITIES3 credits
Develop digital communication, collaboration, data-management and numeracy skills for humanities study.
HUMAN 1HL3HUMANITIES FOR LIFE: THE VALUE OF A HUMANITIES DEGREE3 credits
Reflect on humanities learning and practise critical thinking for work and everyday life.
HUMAN 1VV3VOICE AND VISION: WORDS TO CHANGE THE WORLD3 credits
Use freewriting to develop writing skills for humanities courses.

First year: Humanities Course List 1 choices46 listed

Choose 12 units from this list. Check the subjects needed for your intended Level II programme. Music options have placement or audition conditions.

CMST 1A03INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION3 credits
Examine media industries, audiences and communication in their social and political contexts.
ENGLISH 1CS3STUDYING CULTURE: A CRITICAL INTRODUCTION3 credits
Use cultural studies to analyse identity, power and everyday culture, developing critical reading and writing.
ENGLISH 1F03THE WRITTEN WORLD3 credits
Explore literary forms and genres while developing analytical reading and writing skills.
ENGLISH 1G03MAKING AND UNMAKING LITERARY TRADITIONS3 credits
Examine English-language literary traditions in their historical and cultural contexts.
ENGLISH 1H03WORDS IN PLACE3 credits
Explore how narratives and other art forms represent place, migration and Indigenous and colonial histories.
FRENCH 1AA3INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH STUDIES: INTERMEDIATE I3 credits
Develop B1-level French communication and begin literary analysis.
FRENCH 1AB3INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH STUDIES: INTERMEDIATE II3 credits
Continue B1-level French communication and literary analysis after FRENCH 1AA3.
GENDRST 1A03GENDER, RACE, CULTURE, POWER3 credits
Explore gender and race in culture, institutions and systems of power.
GKROMST 1A03INTRODUCTION TO GREEK AND ROMAN ARCHAEOLOGY3 credits
Explore Greek and Roman archaeology using evidence from excavated sites.
GKROMST 1B03AN INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT MYTH AND LITERATURE3 credits
Study Greek and Roman myths and literature in translation.
GKROMST 1M03HISTORY OF GREECE AND ROME3 credits
Trace Greek and Roman history using literary and archaeological evidence.
GREEK 1Z03BEGINNER’S INTENSIVE ANCIENT GREEK I3 credits
Learn the foundations of Ancient Greek grammar.
GREEK 1ZZ3BEGINNER’S INTENSIVE ANCIENT GREEK II3 credits
Continue Ancient Greek grammar after GREEK 1Z03.
HISTORY 1CC3TEN EMPIRES THAT SHAPED OUR WORLD, 500 BCE TO PRESENT3 credits
Study interactions between people, cultures and environments before the modern era.
HISTORY 1DD3THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD,3 credits
Explore global oppression, migration, trade and environmental change from 1750 to 1945.
HISTORY 1EE3THE HISTORICAL ROOTS OF CONTEMPORARY ISSUES3 credits
Investigate the historical roots of contemporary political, social and economic issues.
HISTORY 1MA3THE POWERS OF MODERN EAST ASIA: CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICS AND HISTORICAL CHANGES3 credits
Explore how constitutional politics shaped modern East Asian history.
HISTORY 1M03HISTORY OF GREECE AND ROME3 credits
Study ancient Greek and Roman history through written and archaeological sources.
HISTORY 1P03A HISTORY OF MAGIC3 credits
Examine magic, religion, healing and political protest across different societies.
HISTORY 1PP3POP GOES THE PAST!3 credits
Analyse how films, fashion and games shape popular understandings of history.
HISTORY 1Q03HISTORY OF MEDICINE3 credits
Explore global histories of health, medicine and disease since 1500.
IARTS 1BD32D PRACTICES IN ART3 credits
Develop artistic perception and judgement through hands-on material exploration.
IARTS 1CR3ACTING: BODY AND VOICE3 credits
Practise physical and vocal acting skills alongside introductory performance theory.
IARTS 1MA3MAKING ART 13 credits
Create art across different forms while exploring self-expression and social justice.
IARTS 1SD3STAGE DESIGN3 credits
Learn sound, lighting, costume and set design through practical projects.
IARTS 1SS33D PRACTICES IN ART3 credits
Explore metals, plaster, clay, fibres and fabrication technologies through studio work.
LATIN 1Z03BEGINNER’S INTENSIVE LATIN I3 credits
Learn the foundations of Classical Latin grammar.
LATIN 1ZZ3BEGINNER’S INTENSIVE LATIN II3 credits
Continue Latin grammar after LATIN 1Z03.
LINGUIST 1A03INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS: SPEAKING, SIGNING AND HEARING3 credits
Study how bodies produce and perceive spoken and signed language.
LINGUIST 1AA3INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS: WORDS, SENTENCES AND MEANING3 credits
Explore sentence structure, meaning and features shared across human languages.
MEDIAART 1A03MEDIA ARTS3 credits
Create practical media-arts projects while exploring art, design and digital culture.
MUSIC 1A03INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY WESTERN OF MUSIC I3 credits
Explore Western music from Gregorian chant to Bach and Handel in its cultural context.
MUSIC 1AA3INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY WESTERN OF MUSIC II3 credits
Trace Western music from Mozart to the present through composers and their works.
MUSIC 1CR3FOUNDATIONS OF MUSIC I3 credits
Learn musical notation and identify rhythms, intervals, melodies and harmonies by ear.
MUSIC 1E06APPLIED MUSIC6 credits
Develop solo instrumental or vocal technique and repertoire, or study composition individually.
MUSIC 1GB3ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE: MCMASTER CONCERT BAND3 credits
Perform with the McMaster Concert Band after a successful September audition.
MUSIC 1GC3ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE: MCMASTER UNIVERSITY CHOIR3 credits
Perform with the McMaster University Choir after a successful September audition.
MUSIC 1GP3ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE: MCMASTER PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE3 credits
Perform with the McMaster Percussion Ensemble after a successful September audition.
MUSIC 1GR3ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE: MCMASTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA3 credits
Perform with the McMaster Symphony Orchestra after a successful September audition.
MUSIC 1GW3ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE: MCMASTER VOCAL ENSEMBLE3 credits
Perform with the McMaster Vocal Ensemble after a successful September audition.
PEACJUST 1A03PEACE, JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS3 credits
Examine local and global struggles for peace, justice and human rights.
PEACJUST 1VM3PASS THE MIC: CONVERSATIONS ON JUSTICE3 credits
Explore peace, justice and resistance through guest lectures and community events.
PHILOS 1A03PHILOSOPHICAL TEXTS3 credits
Explore philosophy through close reading of selected classical texts.
PHILOS 1B03PHILOSOPHY, LAW AND SOCIETY3 credits
Study moral, political and legal questions, including rights and limits on state power.
PHILOS 1E03PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS3 credits
Explore philosophical questions about knowledge, free will, morality, politics and art.
PHILOS 1F03MEANING IN LIFE3 credits
Examine what makes life meaningful through themes such as suffering, friendship, work and hope.

First year: Humanities Course List 2 elective options20 listed

The remaining 9 units are electives, which may come from Course Lists 1 and 2. List 2 courses do not provide entry to a Level II programme.

CHINESE 1BL3BEGINNER CHINESE LANGUAGE I3 credits
Begin Chinese grammar, speaking and writing with no previous language background.
CHINESE 2BL3BEGINNER CHINESE LANGUAGE II3 credits
Extend introductory Chinese speaking, writing and grammar skills.
FRENCH 1CT3FOUNDATIONS OF TRANSLATION (TAUGHT IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH)3 credits
Compare French and English grammar, vocabulary and meaning through translation.
FRENCH 1ZA3INTENSIVE FRENCH BEGINNER I3 credits
Begin A1-level French speaking, writing and comprehension.
FRENCH 1ZB3INTENSIVE FRENCH BEGINNER II3 credits
Continue introductory A1-level French language development.
GENDRST 1AA3GENDER, FEMINISM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE3 credits
Study feminism as a critical approach and its role in movements for social change.
GERMAN 1BL3BEGINNER GERMAN LANGUAGE I3 credits
Begin German grammar and communication for everyday situations.
GERMAN 2BL3BEGINNER GERMAN LANGUAGE II3 credits
Extend German reading, writing, listening and speaking through intercultural study.
ITALIAN 1BL3BEGINNER ITALIAN LANGUAGE I3 credits
Begin Italian speaking and writing while exploring contemporary culture through music and film.
ITALIAN 2BL3BEGINNER ITALIAN LANGUAGE II3 credits
Extend Italian language skills and cultural knowledge through music and film.
JAPANESE 1BL3BEGINNER JAPANESE LANGUAGE I3 credits
Begin Japanese grammar, speaking and kana/kanji writing.
JAPANESE 2BL3BEGINNER JAPANESE LANGUAGE II3 credits
Continue introductory Japanese speaking, writing and grammar.
KOREAN 1BL3BEGINNER KOREAN LANGUAGE I3 credits
Learn the Korean alphabet and practise everyday communication, pronunciation and grammar.
KOREAN 2BL3BEGINNER KOREAN LANGUAGE II3 credits
Extend Korean communication skills and explore introductory cultural knowledge.
LINGUIST 1Z03STRUCTURE OF MODERN ENGLISH I3 credits
Study English sounds, transcription, pronunciation and word formation.
LINGUIST 1ZZ3STRUCTURE OF MODERN ENGLISH II3 credits
Examine English sentence structure and how sentences form larger units of communication.
POLISH 1BL3BEGINNER POLISH LANGUAGE I3 credits
Begin Polish listening, speaking and writing for everyday communication.
POLISH 2BL3BEGINNER POLISH LANGUAGE II3 credits
Extend introductory spoken and written Polish.
SPANISH 1BL3BEGINNER SPANISH LANGUAGE I3 credits
Begin Spanish language study while exploring cultures across the Spanish-speaking world.
SPANISH 2BL3BEGINNER SPANISH LANGUAGE II3 credits
Extend Spanish grammar, vocabulary and conversation alongside cultural study.

Skills for Life · Upper-year foundation1 listed

A required 3-unit course for the concurrent certificate. The remaining 6 upper-year units come from the published choice lists.

HUMAN 2CP3Humanities Career Planning and Development3 credits
McMaster 2026–27 Humanities Skills for Life certificate

Elective choices

12 units from Course List 1;9 mandatory HUMAN units;9 elective units. Course List 2 does not provide entry to a Level II programme.

Study locations

Published academic-unit location: The Registrar’s academic-advising directory lists the Faculty of Humanities office in Chester New Hall, room 107. This is a faculty academic contact office; individual Humanities course rooms are separate.Mcmaster: named humanities academic-unit location