Registering as a McMaster student
Register! Go to How to Enroll.
McMaster has three academic terms: Winter, Summer and Fall
Students starting in January should register for Winter and Summer terms. Enroll in at least one course for each term.
Note: For students who have completed course work, enroll in SGS 700 or 711 – these are placeholder courses.
Contact your academic department for more information about attending McMaster, as well as your Course Schedule.
Getting to – and around – Hamilton
Welcome to the heart of Ontario and the economic engine of Canada – Hamilton and south central Ontario.
Hamilton is the ninth largest city in Canada, fourth largest in Ontario, and ranked as one of the top 10 places to do business in Canada. Situated on the Niagara escarpment, Hamilton is only 45 minutes southwest of Toronto and northwest of the U.S. border.
McMaster is nestled in the west end of Hamilton in a residential area called Westdale Village. Bordered by Cootes Paradise, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and the shores of Lake Ontario, the campus is connected to kilometres of nature trails, biking paths, and Hamilton’s burgeoning waterfront.
Those in search of a more urban experience are never too far from amenities in downtown Hamilton – restaurants, concert theatres, hockey games, art galleries, street festivals and more.
Hamilton is also conveniently situated on major rail, air, water and road transportation networks to other large North American centres, including Toronto, New York, Chicago and Montreal.

Expandable List
From the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)*
McMaster University’s main campus is a 40-minute drive from Toronto’s airport.
You can travel from Toronto to Hamilton via
From the Pearson Airport Terminal to Hamilton Go Centre, located in downtown Hamilton, you can use this fare calculator to determine the cost of a one-way trip.
From the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM)*
McMaster’s main campus is a 17-minute drive from Hamilton’s airport.
You can travel from Hamilton’s airport via
- Airways Transit
- Local Taxi/Cab services (see Public Transportation in Hamilton)
- Hamilton Street Railway (see Public Transportation in Hamilton): Bus routes do not go directly to McMaster’s campus
*The School of Graduate Studies is not responsible for making travel arrangements or covering any associated costs for students entering McMaster University.
Hamilton Street Railway – better known as the HSR – is Hamilton’s city-wide public bus transportation. You will need to pay HSR bus fare out-of-pocket until you pick up your HSR student bus pass at McMaster University.
Visit the Graduate Students Association site for more information about your U-Pass/Presto Card.
For more about using your Presto Card, watch this video.
Hamilton Cab services
- Blue Line Taxi – Book online or call 905-525-0000
- Hamilton Cab – Book online or call 777-777-7777
Travel Options from Pearson Airport:
GO Bus and GO Train service to Downtown Hamilton. Please note that GO Bus service is the only available bus directly from the terminals.
You can find this at:
- Terminal 1, Ground Level, second curb, Column Q2-Q4.
To get to Hamilton, take the 40 Hamilton (Richmond Hill Pearson Express) bus route.
Taxi and Limousine Pick-Up Locations
Terminal 1, Arrivals Level ?
- Taxis: Door D
- Limousines: Door C
Terminal 3, Arrivals Level
- Taxis: Doors D, E & F
- Limousines: Door F
Remember, your safety matters. Ensure you take a licensed Toronto Pearson taxi or limo.
Airport licensed taxis and limos offer fair, flat rates to your destination and meet specific safety requirements.
These are the only vehicles authorized to pick up fares from Toronto Pearson.
A licensed taxi or limo:
- will pick up from the designated pick up area on the terminal curbs, arrivals level
- will have a GTA number plate on the bumper and decal on the window
- will have flat rate fare information in the vehicle
- will not pick up in the terminal or parking garages
Considering Pre-Arranged Services?
Within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), flat rates for travel from the airport are determined based on the time and distance to your destination.
Fares for taxis to destinations outside of the GTA (including Hamilton) are listed on the Out-of-Town Tariff map.
Any area that is not listed on this tariff map will be $1.55/km for taxis, or $1.65/km for limousines.
Select one of the maps below for taxi fare information. Always confirm the fare with the driver before leaving the terminal.
Ride sharing services
Uber and Lyft
To request a pick up:
- Download the Uber or Lyft app to your smartphone
- Ensure your location services are enable
- Enter your destination
- Select the level of ride sharing service you prefer for your trip
- Proceed to Ground Level (Door Q or P) in Terminal 1 or Arrivals Level (Door D, then proceed to outside curb) in Terminal 3 and follow the signs for “Ride App Pickup” to wait for your ride
Local Toronto Transit:
Union Pearson Express is a dedicated air-rail link that speeds travelers from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto.
The UP Express station is located in Terminal 1 next to the Terminal Link Train.
From Terminal 1: Follow the “Train to City” signs.
From Terminal 3: Take the free Terminal Link Train to Terminal 1 and follow the “Train to City” signs.
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
Express bus and subway service to downtown Toronto. This is located in:
- Terminal 1, Ground Level, second curb, Column R4.
- Terminal 3, Arrivals Level, third curb, Column C12.
Here are the TTC routes available:
- 52 Lawrence West
- 192 Airport Rocket
- 300 Bloor Danforth (overnight)
- 307 Eglinton West (overnight)
Travel to Hamilton
Accommodations (duplicate?)
Cost of Living: Your Budget
Paying Your Tuition and Fees
- Visit this Tuition and Mandatory Supplemental Fees Chart for information about graduate student fees.
- If you have arrived in Canada: How to pay your tuition
- Bank transfer is the recommended method to pay tuition, as it is the most convenient and secure.
- To learn more about Dates and Deadlines for fees and associated financials, visit the Office of the Registrar – Fees & payment page.
Once enrolled, you will be able to check funds owing on your tuition and fees.
- Log in to Mosaic
- Click on Student Center tab
- Go to Finances.
- Under “My Account” open Account Inquiry. This will show balances by term.
- In dropdown menu, “Other Financial…” select “Charges Due”
Important to Know
- You will not receive a bill or invoice
- You can print invoices directly from your Student Center
If you are working as a Teaching Assistant (TA), it is important to check your payment schedule.
Managing your budget
Check out these tools and resources to help you create a plan – and manage your money!
Managing Your Money: A guide for graduate students Check out the guide
This online resource was created by McMaster’s School of Graduate Studies. It provides a starting point for building your own budget.
Mac's Money Centre Visit Mac Money Centre
Check out online resources and in-person workshops, coaching and more to help students get on track with their finances.
Budget tools and other resources Resources and tools
Visit the Mac Money Centre web page for links to useful tools and resources to help you plan and budget
Numbeo Visit Numbeo
An external website that provides an overview of the cost of living in Hamilton and compares the cost-of-living between different cities.
A Bill-by-Bill Guide to Saving Money on Your Monthly Expenses Visit LifeHacker
LifeHacker offers some helpful tips on managing your expenses.
On-Campus Services
Key on-campus service locations for the graduate student community
In addition to your graduate department, you may need to connect with other offices and services at McMaster.
Use one of our maps – available in a variety of formats – to navigate your way across campus:
For a comprehensive list of services and resources available to all graduate students, visit our Graduate Community Resources page.
Expandable List
Located in Gilmour Hall, second floor, Room 212.
The School of Graduate Studies plays an important role in the graduate student experience. We are here to answer questions; offer academic, research and professional supports; connect you to the broader McMaster graduate community; and help you succeed at McMaster University.
International grad student programming
Yufei Zheng, our International Graduate Students Advisor, works out of the School of Graduate Studies. Yufei is part of the Graduate Student Resources team and works on programming, activities, and events aimed at helping international grad students navigate their journey at McMaster. Yufei is also available for one-on-one appointments with current international graduate students.
Located in Refectory Rathskeller Building, East Tower, 2nd floor.
The Graduate Students Association (GSA) represents graduate student interests at McMaster University. Visit their website to learn more about services and support they provide, as well as the various ways you can get involved in student government.
An important service provided by the GSA is the GSA Benefits Plan. This plan provides extended health and dental coverage for eligible full- and part-time graduate students.
Located in the McMaster University Student Centre, room B118.
McMaster’s International and Exchange Student Experience (IESE) team provides support and resources for international students and exchange students before they arrive and once they join the McMaster graduate community.
Information about UHIP and help with registering for the program.
If you have any questions about UHIP at McMaster or to add your dependents to your UHIP plan, contact our UHIP administrators at uhip@mcmaster.ca.
Adjusting to a new country can be challenging, especially when dealing with the immigration process. Through our immigration advising services, we can offer advice and connect you with resources to complete the immigration process and help you settle into your new environment.
Located in the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning, room 210/201.
The Student Wellness Centre is the place on campus to address your wellness needs. They provide a range of counselling options, medical services and wellness programs.
Located in Kenneth Taylor Hall, room B111.
CUPE 3906 is the employment union representing McMaster Teaching Assistants (TAs) and Research Assistants in lieu (RAs in lieu).
Located in L. R. Wilson Hall, 4th floor.
The McMaster Office for the Development of English Language Learners (MODEL) is a free service designed to help both undergraduate and graduate students who may be struggling with the English Language.
MODEL offers English-language training, workshops, and support, developed by certified ESL and EAP experts, to meet the needs of McMaster students of all academic backgrounds and levels of English language proficiency.