Nursing (BScN) at McMaster: Admission Average
McMaster University · Hamilton, ON
What average do you need for Nursing (BScN) at McMaster?
Nursing (BScN) at McMaster University typically admits students with averages of about 92–96%. It ranks #2 of 15 McMaster programs by admission average.
Extremely competitive, strong clinical placement network across Hamilton.
How competitive is it?
Of the 28 universities we track that offer it, 1 asks for a higher average and 14 ask for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 96% or higher is above the typical range, 92% up to 96% is inside it, and 88% up to 92% is a reach. Cut-offs move every year, so apply to a mix of schools.
Ontario applicants are assessed on their top six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the program's prerequisites. Work out yours with the Best 6 calculator.
Nursing at other universities
- University of British Columbia – high 80s (BC) / low-mid 90s (OOP)
- University of Toronto – high 80s-low 90s
- Queen's University – high 80s-low 90s
- Western University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Ottawa – high 80s-low 90s
- Ontario Tech University – high 80s-low 90s
- Toronto Metropolitan University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Victoria – high 80s-low 90s
- McGill University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Alberta – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Calgary – high 80s-low 90s
- Dalhousie University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Manitoba – high 80s-low 90s
- Brock University – high 80s
- University of Windsor – high 80s
- University of Northern BC – high 80s
- Thompson Rivers University – high 80s
- Université de Montréal – high 80s
- Université Laval – high 80s
- MacEwan University – high 80s
- Mount Royal University – high 80s
- St. Francis Xavier University – high 80s
- University of Saskatchewan – high 80s
- University of Regina – high 80s
- University of New Brunswick – high 80s
- Memorial University of Newfoundland – high 80s
- University of Prince Edward Island – high 80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Biology
- Chemistry (at most schools)
- One additional U/M course
First-year courses
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Nursing Fundamentals
- Health Assessment
- Psychology
These are typical for Nursing (BScN) programs across Canada. About the Nursing (BScN) degree
After a Nursing (BScN) degree
Nursing (BScN) usually takes 4 years.
- Registered Nurse (RN) – $65,000 to $110,000
- School Counsellor – $60,000 to $100,000
- Canada faces a critical nursing shortage - BScN graduates have essentially guaranteed employment across every province.
- Direct-entry nursing at top schools like McMaster often requires a 90%+ average - note that UofT's BScN is a 2-year program entered after prior university study, not from high school.
- Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a growing role that requires a master's degree after the BScN but significantly expands scope of practice.
Applying to McMaster
McMaster University is a research powerhouse best known for pioneering problem-based learning and for its Health Sciences program, which is widely regarded as the single most competitive undergraduate program in Canada. Located in Hamilton, Ontario, McMaster has a strong culture of collaborative inquiry and is particularly respected in health sciences, engineering, and business.
McMaster University is in Hamilton, ON, was founded in 1887 and has about 37,000 students. Domestic tuition is about $6,200 a year, co-op is available and first-year residence is guaranteed.
Deadlines: OUAC (Ontario) January 15.
- Health Sciences receives thousands of applications for ~240 spots. A 95% average still doesn't guarantee admission.
- The supplemental component for Health Sciences asks about community, leadership, and personal challenges - grades alone won't get you in.
- McMaster's MD program has its own selective process (including the Casper test and MMI interviews) - Health Sciences undergrad is a common but not guaranteed pathway.
Other McMaster programs
- Health Sciences (BHSc) – high 90s (95-99%+)
- iBioMed (Biomedical Eng.) – mid-to-high 90s
- Life Sciences – high 80s-low 90s
- Chemical Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Electrical Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Mechanical Engineering – high 80s
- Mechatronics Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Software Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Computer Science – high 80s
- Commerce (DeGroote) – high 80s
- Biochemistry – high 80s
- Arts & Science (IntArts) – high 80s
- Kinesiology – high 80s
- Psychology (Honours) – high 80s