Domestic Students

For admission requirements for non-Indigenous Canadian students please refer to the previous tabs.

International Students

Admission requirements for international students remain the same as for non-Indigenous domestic applicants. However, please review the School of Graduate Studies checklist for international applicants for the necessary steps to apply.

If English is not your native language, an official copy of your TOEFL score, or other evidence of competency in English is required. A minimum TOEFL (iBT) score of 92 (580 on the paper-based TOEFL test or 237 on the computer based TOEFL test) or IELTS “Academic Version” with overall score of 6.5 (5.5 minimum score in each section). Our institution code is 0936 and department code is 34.

Indigenous Students

We value Indigenous participation in the MBDC Graduate Program. To ensure equitable admissions, we have a facilitated admissions process for First Nations, Inuit and Métis applicants.  In accordance with the Self-Identification policy of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) applicants who wish to apply through this stream must complete the supplementary Self-identification Application. Information on the policy, application requirements and the online application can be found at: https://ishs.mcmaster.ca/admissions/self-identification.

PLEASE NOTE:  Indigenous applicants are also required to complete all other application requirements by the specified deadline.

Indigenous applicants need to meet the following requirements:

While admission into the MBDC graduate program will be almost exclusively to students who have completed the Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization program and who have obtained a B+ average (9/12), Indigenous applicants whose average may fall slightly below a B+, but demonstrate other outstanding qualifications are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration.

A fundamental knowledge of business is crucial in order to be successful in the MBDC Program. Please review the following document for more information:

MBDC Program Business Admissions Requirements

Undergraduate BDC students will have:

• COMMERCE 1BA3 (Organizational Behaviour) – 3 units
• COMMERCE 4AK3 (Accounting Information for Decision Making) – 3 units
• COMMERCE 3MD3 (Introduction to Contemporary Applied Marketing) – 3 units
• COMMERCE 4FW3 (Finance for Entrepreneurs) – 3 units

It is expected that external students coming directly into the MBDC program will have similar credentials. To check course equivalencies, please see the following link: https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/enrol/course-equivalencies-transfer-credit/.

Important Note: This is a guide only, and does not outline all possible options for external applicants to complete the required business course credentials. It is recommended that you notify our office if you decide to enroll in courses for the sole purpose of fulfilling the Master’s program admission requirements (bdcprogram@mcmaster.ca).

*Completing these courses does not guarantee acceptance into the Master’s program; all applicants are subject to review by the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization Admissions and Recruitment Committee*

External applicants should review the Level III and Level IV undergraduate course listings, to determine if they have the equivalent science and business courses: https://bdcprogram-mcmaster.ca/course-guidelines/.

Potential Master’s applicants should have completed: 

• A senior research thesis involving extensive biomedical and biochemistry experience
• 1 full year of organic chemistry 
• Biochemistry courses
• Courses related to: pharmacology; drug discovery and development; pharmaceutical sciences

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and you can reference the courses listed in level III and IV of the undergraduate program to gauge your eligibility. You can also check course equivalencies here.

A grade point average of B+ (9/12) on the McMaster Scale is required for admission to the program. Please utilize the OMSAS grade chart to calculate your course grades individually to see whether you are eligible to apply for the MBDC program.

Please note that meeting this minimum GPA requirement does not guarantee admission, and applicants must hold the required business and science requirements to be considered for admission into the program.

Fees and tuition for the program change yearly, so please refer to the following links:

Total tuition: Select here and then click (FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES) to view the tuition per term for the full-time Master of Biomedical Discovery & Commercialization (for both domestic and international applicants). There are three terms in the MBDC program. 

Mandatory supplementary fees: Costs for graduate students can be found here.

Applicants will be automatically considered for scholarships; there is no separate application process.

• Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization Graduate Scholarship ($5,000) 
  • Awarded to a student in the MBDC program who demonstrates excellence in academic achievement.
• Faculty Ontario Graduate Scholarship ($15,000)
  • Awarded to a domestic student who has achieved a first-class average (which is an A- at McMaster) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent).

Students in previous years have worked in areas of:

• Business Development
• Research & Development
• Medical Affairs
• Consulting
• Sales & Marketing

Please note that this list is not exhaustive nor inclusive as opportunities vary yearly.

Most internship opportunities are paid. However, due to the internship term being focused on providing a meaningful experiential learning opportunity, exceptions can be made for students to accept an unpaid position with approval from the BDC program.