NEW: McMaster University Award of Excellence is a prestigious award and is presented to a student who exemplifies the highest standards of academic and personal achievement. The recipient will:

• Have a strong history of academic excellence
• Demonstrate a commitment to community excellence
• Show great potential as a student scholar at McMaster University
• Exemplify McMaster University’s values of excellence, engagement, and personal growth.

Award value: Up to $200,000* over four years.

Eligible faculties: Business, Engineering**, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences

Renewable each year in Level 2-4 for a total of four years. Students are required to be enrolled in the faculty to which they were originally admitted, maintain full-time enrolment status and continue to pay international student tuition fees

Applicants must apply through AwardSpring. McMaster English Language Development (MELD) applicants must apply through the McMaster University Award of Excellence Form for MELD.

Application opens: November 28th, 2025

Application deadline: February 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

*Award amounts are determined by the Faculty and are based on the student’s enrolled course load as required by their program. The final value will be confirmed following enrolment.

**Applicants to the Faculty of Engineering (Engineering 1, Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Science [iBioMed], Computer Science 1, and Bachelor of Technology) must also complete the Faculty of Engineering Entrance Application to be considered for the McMaster University Award of Excellence.

DeGroote International Scholars Award was established by the Faculty of Business in 2024 to recognize incoming full-time international students with averages of 89.99 per cent or below. $15,000 in the first year. The scholarship is renewable at $5,000 for up to 3 years provided the recipient remains enrolled in the DeGroote School of Business and is in good standing. This award is automatic and do not require an application. 

DeGroote International Distinction Award was established by the Faculty of Business in 2024 to recognize incoming full-time international students with averages of 90 to 94.99 per cent. $20,000 in the first year. The scholarship is renewable at $10,000 for up to 3 years provided the recipient remains enrolled in the DeGroote School of Business and is in good standing. This award is automatic and do not require an application. 

The Dean’s Global Excellence Award was established by the Faculty of Business in 2024 to recognize incoming full-time international students with averages of 95 per cent or higher. $25,000 in the first year. The scholarship is renewable at $20,000 for up to 3 years provided the recipient remains enrolled in the DeGroote School of Business and is in good standing. This award is automatic and do not require an application.

The Global Dean’s Excellence Award is a renewable award for international students enrolled full-time (Fall term) who are paying international tuition fees. Recipients are awarded $7,500 over 4 years in the Bachelor of Technology; Computer Science; Engineering; Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences programs. Deadline to apply is February 19, 2026. Minimum eligibility is international undergraduate students entering Level 1 in the Faculty of Engineering. This award is renewable for students in good academic standing.

The Engineering International Entrance Award is a one-time, $10,000 award for international students enrolled full-time (Fall term) who are paying international tuition fees. Minimum eligibility is international undergraduate students entering Level 1 in the Faculty of Engineering.

The iBioMed International Entrance Award is a one-time, $10,000 award for international students enrolled full-time (Fall term) who are paying international tuition fees in the Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences (iBioMed) program. Minimum eligibility is international undergraduate students entering Level 1 in the Faculty of Engineering.

Computer Science International Entrance Award is a one-time, $10,000 award for international students enrolled full-time (Fall term) who are paying international tuition fees in the Computer Science 1 or Computer Science 1 CO-OP program. Minimum eligibility is international undergraduate students entering Level 1 in the Faculty of Engineering.

Don’t see your scholarship listed here? More engineering scholarships are a click away!

Humanities Scholars Award will be automatically given to international students entering Level 1 who have an academic average of 85 per cent and above. Students in Level 1 will receive $10,000. The award can then be renewed in Level 2-4 at $5,000/year provided the recipient remains enrolled in the Faculty of Humanities Honours program and is in good standing.

Faculty of Humanities Global Gateway Award is a $2,500 one-time award for full-time international students with an incoming average below 85 per cent are eligible.

Science Global Scholars Award is a renewable award. Recipients are awarded $10,000 in Level 1 and $7,500 in Levels 2-4. The award can then be renewed in Level 2-4 at $7,500/year provided the recipient remains enrolled in the Faculty of Science program and is in good standing.You must meet the terms outlined in the terms and conditions (MAPSci – The McMaster Academic Planner).

Social Sciences Scholars Award will be automatically given to international students entering Level 1 who have an academic average of 85 per cent and above. Students in Level 1 will receive $10,000. The award can then be renewed in Level 2-4  at $5,000/year provided the recipient remains enrolled in the Faculty of Social Sciences Honours program and is in good standing.

Faculty of Social Sciences Global Gateway Award is $2,500 one-time award for full-time international students with an incoming average below 85 per cent are eligible. It’s our way of helping you start strong and focus on what matters most: your education.

MELD Academic Excellence Entrance Scholarship is a one-time award valued at $5,000 for students entering the MELD program with a Level 1 conditional offer and a university final admission average of 93 per cent.

MELD Scholarly Achievement Entrance Scholarship is a one-time award valued at $3,500 for students entering the MELD program with a Level 1 conditional offer and a university final admission average between 90 and 92.99 per cent.