How to Apply to Commerce at McMaster University: DeGroote’s Commerce and IBH Programs, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, offers business through the DeGroote School of Business, with two undergraduate programs: Commerce and Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH). Both lead to a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). This guide is based on DeGroote’s undergraduate website and McMaster’s 2026–2027 Undergraduate Calendar, for September 2027 entry, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including Ontario and BC students and international students in Canada), and transfer students.

Note: the robots.txt of McMaster’s admissions site (future.mcmaster.ca) does not allow the tools we use, so this guide does not include English test minimums, course equivalents for other provinces and China, or tuition amounts. Please check that site directly.

1. Choosing between the two programs

• Commerce: you are admitted to Business I and then enter Honours Commerce in Level II. The first two years build foundations, and from third year you choose an area of focus such as Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management or Information Systems, or keep studying business broadly.
• IBH: combines business with the humanities in a small cohort-based program with interdisciplinary and experiential learning. It has a higher bar and a mandatory supplementary application (see below).
• Both programs allow courses and minors outside business and can lead toward designations such as CPA, CFA, CFP and CHRP.

2. Commerce first year and entry to Level II

• Business I courses (30 units): DeGroote Student Experience and Development (COMMERCE 1GR0), Introductory Financial Accounting, Organizational Behaviour, Business Data Analytics, Business Environment and Organization, Introduction to Marketing, and introductory macro- and microeconomics, among others.
• Entry to Honours Commerce Level II: pass at least 24 units of Business I with a GPA of at least 5.0 on McMaster’s 12-point scale; failed courses may be repeated under McMaster’s repeat policy.

3. Students at Canadian high schools

• Ontario, Commerce: six 4U/M courses including ENG4U, MHF4U (Advanced Functions) and MCV4U (Calculus and Vectors). These three plus your next best three Grade 12 U or M courses form the admission average; DeGroote anticipates an average in the mid to high 80s.
• Commerce supplementary application (optional): a written application telling DeGroote more about you, due April 30, 2027 for 2027 entry.
• Ontario, IBH: ENG4U and MCV4U plus four more U or M courses. The Calendar says a minimum overall average of 88% is required for consideration; DeGroote anticipates 88%–92%, with heavy influence from the supplementary application.
• IBH supplementary application (mandatory): after you apply, you receive a link to record video responses to interview questions online; due February 1, 2027.
• BC and other provinces: you need equivalent courses; check McMaster’s admissions site for the requirements by province.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Requirements for Chinese high schools (Huikao, Gaokao and so on) are on McMaster’s admissions site by country; please check there.
• DeGroote says international students studying the Ontario curriculum have the same requirements as Ontario students: ENG4U, MHF4U and MCV4U for Commerce, ENG4U and MCV4U for IBH.
• For questions, you can email DeGroote undergraduate admissions (macbiz@mcmaster.ca) for one-on-one support.

5. Timeline (September 2027 entry)

• IBH: apply by January 15, 2027; supplementary application by February 1.
• Commerce: DeGroote’s apply page lists an application deadline of April 1, 2027 and a supplementary deadline of April 30.
• Documents: supporting documents and English proficiency results (if needed) by April 1; submit new grades as soon as they are available.
• Applications go through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC); confirm the deadline for your applicant group on OUAC and McMaster’s admissions site.

6. Awards and costs

• Global Business Scholar II Award: automatic for every incoming international student paying international fees, enrolled full-time in the Faculty of Business and meeting offer conditions: CAD 25,000 in total (CAD 10,000 in first year, then CAD 5,000 a year with good standing).
• Awards by application: the Global Business Scholar I Award (CAD 32,500) and the DeGroote School of Business Dean’s Global Excellence Award (CAD 210,000), through McMaster’s AwardSpring platform once you have applied and have a MacID.
• Tuition: DeGroote points to the cost estimator on McMaster’s admissions site; this guide has not checked the amounts.

7. Co-op

• From September 2026, DeGroote is introducing a BCom/IBH with Co-op program: three required work terms (12 months), with an optional fourth for up to 16 months; each term is at least 12 weeks of full-time paid work, with work terms starting from May 2027.
• Apply at the end of first year; only full-time BCom students in good standing are eligible, and selection is based on academics, experience, written submissions and an interview. DeGroote reports an average salary of CAD 47,910 for 12 months of work terms.
• International students are eligible.

8. Transfer students

• From another university: apply through OUAC by April 1, to first year (Business I) or second year (Commerce II) only. You need a cumulative GPA of at least 80% (A-) and the high school prerequisites (ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U or equivalents).
  • complete 24–30 units in fall and winter; priority goes to students who have not failed, repeated or upgraded courses;
  • for Commerce II, those units must include four of seven listed courses (such as Organizational Behaviour and Business Data Analytics) or equivalents, each at least 60%;
  • at most 42 units of transfer credit, and at most 12 units for students entering Business I.
• Within McMaster: you can apply to Business I or to Honours Commerce Level II or III; seats are limited and students are ranked by cumulative GPA at the end of the winter term.
• Continuing Education: graduates of certain McMaster Continuing Education diplomas and certificates who meet the grade requirements may apply and receive some transfer credit.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Check Chinese high school requirements, English minimums and tuition on McMaster’s admissions site
• For IBH, apply by January 15 and complete the video supplementary application by February 1
• Receive the automatic CAD 25,000 award if admitted; apply for the CAD 32,500 and CAD 210,000 awards

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Ontario: ENG4U, MHF4U, MCV4U; Commerce mid to high 80s, IBH at least 88%
• BC and other provinces: take the equivalent courses listed on the admissions site
• Optional written supplementary application for Commerce by April 30

Transfer students:

• External transfers need a GPA of at least 80%, apply through OUAC by April 1, and enter first or second year only

Sources: McMaster University, DeGroote: Apply; Commerce program; IBH program; Co-op and internship; Future student FAQ; International student FAQ and awards; Transfer from another university; Internal transfer to first year; Transfer to second or third year; 2026–2027 Undergraduate Calendar. For English test minimums, course equivalents for other provinces and countries, and tuition, check McMaster’s admissions site (future.mcmaster.ca). Information is for September 2027 entry. Check McMaster for the latest details.