McMaster University Accommodation is recognized through inclusion, community engagement, and activities that promote personal growth, health and well-being of students. McMaster University has thirteen on-campus residences. These halls house approximately 3,700 students. These residences are within a five-minute walking distance of the classes, athletic facilities, libraries, and dining facilities.
The university is located in Hamilton, Westdale neighbourhood. Westdale is a long-established neighbourhood with lots of mature trees and period houses. A lot of the houses are closer to the university and are owned by absentee landlords. So they do not maintain the properties very much which results in some of the housing being a little shabby. However, the area has a vibrant restaurant scene which makes you feel that you are part of the McMaster student community. If you do not get accommodation just around the university, farther west into Dundas several apartment buildings are within easy walking distance of campus.
As an international student, you must know that Hamilton is cheaper than Toronto. Toronto is just down the road and easily accessible by public transit bus and train. McMaster University offers complete support for the students residing currently, planning to live in a residence and residing off-campus. The residence is reserved for first-year students joining directly from high school. In the admission offer from McMaster, first-year students with an admission average of 90% or higher will be informed of their guaranteed residence.
The residences at McMaster University are divided into dormitories where two/three students live in apartment/suite style. Let’s move on to see what each room has:
- Single room: Houses one resident; Wi-Fi access; Dresser or Wardrobe.
- Twin-Bed Double Room: Furnished room with a connected washroom; Wifi Access
- Double Room: Houses two residents; En-suite washroom; Wifi Access
- Suite Rooms: Houses four residents in single rooms; kitchen; living room; bathroom
- Quad: Houses four students; Wifi access
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McMaster University Accommodation
It is suggested to stay at the McMaster University dorms or accommodations. Dorm life will be more immersive in the University experience than living at home since you will stay with unknown classmates. You will live and eat with people from all over and even different nationalities. You will have to learn the skills to survive and learn on your own and be close enough to join in on-campus activities.
- The application for first-year undergraduates will be open from April 23, 2024, to 4:00 p.m. EST on June 3, 2024.
- You will be notified of your residence status on your offer of admission from McMaster.
- You are welcome to apply to residence regardless of your status (guaranteed or non-guaranteed).
- 74% of students will live in double rooms with a roommate.
- If you have someone you want to live with, you can request them as a roommate during the application process.
- All students in residence are required to purchase a meal plan, in addition to residence housing fees.

Application Process
All the applications for the residence should be submitted through the online portal of the university. The opening application will take open from April 23, 2024, to 4:00 p.m. EST on June 3, 2024..
- Guaranteed students need to secure their guaranteed space by submitting a residence application with a $600 deposit by 4:00 p.m. EDT on June 3, 2024, via the Housing Portal.
- Students who do not apply and pay by the deadline will forfeit their guaranteed space in residence.
Non-guaranteed students can apply to the residence waitlist.
- Non-guaranteed students who apply by 4:00 p.m. ET on June 3, 2024, will be ordered on the first-year waiting list according to their admission average.
- Students will be able to check their wait-list number on the Residence Application Status Page in the Housing Portal after the deadline.
- Students on the wait list who are provided an offer for residence will be required to secure their residence space with a $600 deposit paid via the Housing Portal within 24-48 hours of receiving the offer.
McMaster University Accommodation Cost
The cost of rooms at McMaster University accommodation depends upon the type of rooms, such as single, double or apartment style. Given below are the annual costs of rooms:
Room Type | Full Year Fee (Fall 2024 – September to April 2025) |
---|---|
Quad (4-person traditional room) | CAD 6,475 |
Triple Room | CAD 6,700 |
Double Room | CAD 8,590 |
Double Room with Access to Single-User Washroom | CAD 8,975 |
Double Room with Twin Bed and Connected Shared Washroom | CAD 9,350 |
Double Room with Twin Bed and Ensuite Washroom | CAD 9,350 |
Double Room with Double Bed and Connected Shared Washroom | CAD 9,550 |
Double Room with Double Bed and Ensuite Washroom | CAD 9,550 |
Single Room | CAD 9,650 |
Apartment – 4/6 Person (Single Room) | CAD 10,125 |
Apartment – 2 Person (Double Room) | CAD 10,125 |
Single Room with Access to Single-User Washroom | CAD 10,150 |
Single Room with Twin Bed and Ensuite Washroom | CAD 10,700 |
Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom | CAD 10,800 |
Single Room with Double Bed and Ensuite Washroom | CAD 10,800 |
Suite – 4 person (Single Room) | CAD 10,950 |
Super-Single Room with Connected Shared Washroom | CAD 10,950 |
Also Check: Cost of living in Canada

McMaster University Accommodation: Room Selection Process
The room choices are based on the self-selection process. Students can choose up to 3 preferred residence room types. First-year students who have submitted their applications and paid their deposits within the stipulated time limit are admitted into the computerized lottery for room self-selection time slots. The residence fees paid by the student cover all of these:
- Accommodation charges
- Residence amenities include study areas, kitchen & laundry
- Wi-fi facilities
Meal plan starts at 3.01 lakhs for the lightest plan and Residence Life Health and well-being fee of 0.03 lakhs is not included in the residence fee paid by the students. Students seeking a roommate can submit one roommate request. After completing the residence application process, students have to select Meal Plan.
Also Check: Student Accommodation in Canada
McMaster University aims to develop each student’s personal and intellectual growth, reach their health and well-being goals, and engage them in community engagement activities that support their success. With continuous enhancements to the student living experience, the university is on a mission to build a brighter future for all students
FAQs
Ques: What is the best residence at McMaster University?
Ans: On campus, the Les Prince and Mary Keyes residences are the most sought-after. Near campus, there are many beautiful student houses on Sterling, Forsyth, and other streets cutting through Westdale.
Ques: How much is student housing at McMaster?
Ans: The student housing cost depends on the type of room that you will select. The cost starts from CAD 6,475 and can be up to CAD 10,950. This does not include meal costs as students need to pay separately.
Ques: Where is the best off-campus housing at McMaster?
Ans: West Village Suites in Hamilton offers the best off-campus housing near McMaster, with a wide range of amenities that are built to help make your student life much more convenient. Our private and group study lounges provide you with a quiet space when you need to prepare for exams or work on school projects.
Ques: Where is the female-only residence at McMaster?
Ans: Wallingford is the only all-female residence on campus and is located in the Residence West Quad. You must select the halls and the rooms based on your choice and affordability.
Ques: What is McMaster famous for?
Reviews
Most Popular Tags
29 Reviews Found
Likes
- I liked the way everything is taught systematically including the practical aspects of the courses.
- The professors are really helpful and generous when it comes to help the students.
- The laboratories are equipped with latest equipments which helps the students to understand those before heading to the practical world where we will be working.
Dislikes
- I didn't like the length of the courses offered as these were just having very basic touch to the things we should know practically and theoretically. While some of the courses were full of good lessons but mostly were having some basic engineering information.
- The offered courses are very less in number for some streams like the automotive courses are not opened in any of the terms, thereby making it difficult to choose from those.
- This is not about the university but about the place it is located in, the weather is very drastic during winters making it difficult to take part in many activities offered in winters.
Accommodation
- I opted for off campus accommodation as it is cheaper and flexible. I found my accommodation using Facebook marketplace. The monthly rent is around $600-700 based on the type of accommodation needed.
- I had to look for many accommodations and I visited many places to finalize the accommodation I wanted to live in which was somewhat hectic and time consuming process.
- The place I am living in is very close to the University like around 10 minutes walk or 3 minutes by bus.
- I opted for off campus accommodation as it is cheaper and flexible. I found my accommodation using Facebook marketplace. The monthly rent is around $600-700 based on the type of accommodation needed.
- I had to look for many accommodations and I visited many places to finalize the accommodation I wanted to live in which was somewhat hectic and time consuming process.
- The place I am living in is very close to the University like around 10 minutes walk or 3 minutes by bus.




Likes
- Quality of Education, Faculty (Very supportive and experienced in their fields), Ample amount of Co-op opportunities.
Dislikes
- Lecture timings are bit late in night (depends on Subject)
Accommodation
There is a Dorm at the University but it is quite expensive. Everyone prefers to live as PG. One can connect in FB groups saying accommodation in hamilton and you can find one easily and costs around 500$ in sharing.
McMaster is ranked in the top 100 Universities globally, 4th in Canada and 2nd in Ontario after UofT. I chose this program as it is up to date with the industry requirements. After U of Ottawa, McMaster offers a Co-Op option which is helpful for students.
Likes
- 1. Ranked amongst the top 5 universities of Canada. 2. Co-op opportunities and job prospects after graduation. 3. Hamilton is a great place to live. 4. Diversity and culture of the university.
- What stands out to me about McMaster University are the abundant opportunities for learning and growth both inside and outside the classroom. The campus provides a vibrant environment with numerous clubs, events, and resources that support academic and personal development. The faculty members are dedicated and supportive, and the facilities are top-notch, fostering a conducive atmosphere for success.
Dislikes
- I've noticed occasional administrative inefficiencies that can cause delays or confusion. However, these issues are relatively minor compared to the overall positive experience at the university.
Accommodation
There are various housing options in Hamilton, such as McMaster's 10 Bay Graduate Residence, condos, and apartments. The average rental cost depends on whether it's for room sharing or private accommodation. For a private room, it is $650 CAD, and for sharing, it is $450 CAD.
I finished my first term at McMaster, experiencing an exponential learning curve. Besides classes, I joined one hackathon and three major events. Impressed with campus life and courses, I find numerous opportunities to learn and gain valuable experience, which will undoubtedly benefit my future job prospects.
Accommodation
There are different res buildings on campus. These buildings are mostly available for first year on campus students. Living there could be quite hefty as j believe people mostly pay 800 a month. Even off campus is expensive but not clean
I’ve submitted my high school diploma and transcripts. I’ve done my schooling in Italian and then I got translated them in English through WES It is a well known university. Amazing program and the location was very convenient At McMaster University, my experience was incredibly rewarding. The academic rigor challenged me to grow intellectually, while the vibrant campus community provided opportunities for personal development and lifelong friendships. The supportive faculty and diverse student body created a dynamic learning environment that enriched my education and prepared me for future endeavors.
Accommodation
It comes to roughly around 1000-1200 CAD per month for accommodation
Just normal pre recorded question and answer interview which was non technical. I choose this as it is Ranked 4th in Canada and it stands in top 100 all over the globe So currently I am still studying but till date I can say it is good to go for university rather than college as it will help you in long run.
Likes
- I got to know about this university in QS rank website and when I searched about it. I really liked their course and their co-op program.
- I was interested in manufacturing engineering course and only a few universities provide this course, McMaster was one of them. Co-op program at McMaster University is one of the best. The university encourages everyone to get a co-op and allows us to do for an year.
Dislikes
- The university is good. I have nothing to dislike about it except the fees. The university is good, it’s located near Toronto. Only the accommodation is costly. The university is good. I have nothing to dislike about it except the fees. The university is good, it’s located near Toronto. Only the accommodation is costly.
Accommodation
It’s really costly. Affording a room here is next to impossible if you are not working. I pay 700$ for my private room. I still have to share the kitchen and washroom with 2 others.
My overall experience with the university is going really good. The professors are great, they teach really good and they are really helpful. They literally solve all your problems related the course. Friends as well. Folks are good too. We have so many labs and everything which makes it very easy to understand each concept.
Likes
- The university provides the best course structure and I am particularly interested in Manufacturing industry.
- The course structure is expensive, requiring students to take 2-3 core subjects within their field. Additionally, they must complete 3 management courses and 2 industrial projects. The co-op program provides industrial training and covers the expenses of tuition.
- There is a wide range of student clubs available, including cultural, coding, and sports clubs, catering to individual interests. The campus provides well-equipped labs and advanced lab equipment for both students and faculty, and the faculty is supportive.
Dislikes
- The passing system is straight forward. The majority of your grade is determined by your assignment submissions, with the final exam making up 25% of your overall grade.
- Additionally, the fee structure is course-based, meaning that the cost increases as you pursue further learning opportunities. This can be expensive, especially for international students.
Accommodation
Rental properties prices are gone every year and now you can rent a private room between CAD 650-800 and sharing room between CAD 400-600.
Rental properties prices are gone every year and now you can rent a private room between CAD 650-800 and sharing room between CAD 400-600.
Likes
- I saw the global ranking and McMaster had really good ranking in the world so I choose this university. I really enjoyed learning from professors at university. They are really good and highly knowledgeable.
Accommodation
I did not took accommodation inside the university campus. I was off-campus renting a room.
The experience is rewarding and eye opener. I selected the university for the good ranking thinking that placement will be easy. However person had to hustle to apply for jobs and receive one.
Accommodation
The average cost of living outside the campus near the university area's varies from $500 to $600 for a personal room with all utilities included. There are some cheap options available as well, or students may share with other people to cut down on the rent. Sharing a room can cost anywhere between $350 and $450 based on the location where you are living.
Well, my first and foremost reason would be its reputation not only in Canada but around the globe. As far as the ranking of engineering disciplines matters, McMaster provides top notch education along with practical engineering experience. I really like the structure of the program. It also involves a co-op term, which is one of the main factors that persuaded me to choose this university. McMaster is a real beauty when it comes to campus life. It has people from different nations, so you will get a chance to meet likeminded people who share similar interests.
Accommodation
Accommodating rooms is very easy. Plenty of services are available from the International Students Centre, Mac website and Facebook housing communities.
The university has great industrial ties and research outcomes. The alumni network is strong with diverse courses to choose from.
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