McMaster University

McMaster University is a public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The history of McMaster University dates back to the 1830s, when Baptists in Canada began to establish educational institutions. In 1881, Toronto Baptist College was founded. In 1887, Senator William McMaster bequeathed $900,000 to establish a Christian school of learning. The following year, McMaster University was incorporated under the terms of an act of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

McMaster University opened its doors to students in 1890 in Toronto, with three faculties: Arts, Science, and Divinity. The university's first president was Reverend A.H. Reynar.

In 1930, McMaster University moved from Toronto to Hamilton. The new campus was located on a 121-hectare site in the Westdale neighbourhood. The move to Hamilton was motivated by a number of factors, including the desire to be closer to the city's growing industrial sector and the availability of land for expansion.

The move to Hamilton was a turning point in McMaster's history. The university began to expand its academic programs and research activities. In the 1950s and 1960s, McMaster established new faculties, including Engineering, Medicine, and Social Sciences. The university also began to attract more international students and faculty.

During the 1970s and 1980s, McMaster continued to grow and develop. The university established new research centres and institutes, and it expanded its student residences and athletic facilities. McMaster also became a member of the U15, a group of the top 15 research universities in Canada.

In the 1990s and 2000s, McMaster invested heavily in its infrastructure and academic programs. The university built new buildings for the Faculties of Business, Engineering, and Medicine. McMaster also established new interdisciplinary programs, such as the School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Earth, Environment & Society.

McMaster University is a world-class university with a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. The university is a major economic driver for the Hamilton region and a proud member of the community.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, McMaster University is positioned as the #176 top university in the world, which makes it the #8 top university in Canada. The university's global rank is improved by 13 points from last year.