Life sciences: every university, ranked
Life Sciences Gateway at McMaster University
B.Sc. (Honours) (Bachelor of Science), or B.A.Sc./B.Sc. depending on Level II program · Faculty of Science · Hamilton campus
What average do you need for McMaster Life Sciences Gateway?
Majors or options chosen later: Honours Actuarial and Financial Mathematics, Honours Astrophysics, Honours Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, Honours Biology Core, Honours Biology and Mathematics, Honours Biology: Physiology Core, Honours Biology: Physiology Research Specialization, Honours Biology and Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Honours Biology Research Specialization, Honours Chemical Biology, Honours Chemistry, Honours Earth and Environmental Sciences, Honours Environmental Sciences, Honours Life Sciences, Honours Life Sciences: Origins of Disease Specialization, Honours Mathematics and Computer Science, Honours Mathematics and Physics, Honours Mathematics and Statistics (and Mathematics or Statistics Specializations), Honours Medical and Biological Physics, Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics Core, Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Specialization, Honours Neuroscience, Honours Physics, Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (B.Sc.), Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour: Music Cognition Specialization, Honours Applied Psychology in Human Behaviour (B.A.Sc., incl. Autism and Behavioural Science or Early Childhood Studies Specializations), Honours Sustainable Chemistry (B.A.Sc.), Chemical and Physical Sciences (3-year B.Sc.), Environmental Sciences (3-year B.Sc.), Life Sciences (3-year B.Sc.), Mathematical Science (3-year B.Sc.).
What courses do you need?
Grade 12 courses the school requires, as its page lists them.
How much does McMaster Life Sciences Gateway cost?
For a student from Ontario, at this year's prices. Food after first year, transit and personal spending are left out.
- Tuition
- $6,000 first year, $24,200 in all
- Student fees
- $1,700 first year, $6,700 in all
- Books and supplies
- $1,200 first year, $4,900 in allSchool's estimate
- Residence and meals
- $17,000 first yearFirst year
- Rent after first year
- $29,900 in allHalf a two-bedroom in Hamilton, $830 a month
What do life sciences graduates earn?
Statistics Canada publishes pay by field for each province's graduates, not by school. Figures are for Ontario bachelor's graduates, the class of 2022 two years after and the class of 2019 five years after, in 2024 dollars.
What careers does McMaster Life Sciences Gateway lead to?
Careers people reach through this field, each with its pay, training and what the work is like.
- BiologistStudy living things for a government, a university or a consulting firm. The degree is the easy part; the funding is the hard part.$83kTypical pay4 to 6 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
- Medical Laboratory TechnologistRun the tests behind most diagnoses: blood, tissue, bacteria, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid, the genetic code). Two to three years of school and good job prospects.$81kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand
- Family DoctorAbout ten years of university and residency, then work that is needed in every province.$232kTypical pay9 to 11 yearsTo qualifyVery highDemand
- AcupuncturistA 3-year diploma, a national exam, and a practice you build one patient at a time. Most acupuncturists are self-employed and many work part time.$33kTypical pay2 to 4 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand
- Addictions CounsellorHelp people get out from under drugs, alcohol and gambling. A 2-year diploma gets you in; the work is heavy and the pay is middling.$71kTypical pay2 to 5 yearsTo qualifyGoodDemand
- AgronomistThe crop doctor. You walk fields, read soil tests, and tell farmers what to plant, feed and spray.$83kTypical pay4 to 5 yearsTo qualifyLimitedDemand
Where else can you study life sciences?
The same field at other universities, with what each says it takes.
| Program | School says | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Animal BiologyGuelph, Ontario | 86-92% | $6,213 |
| Animal BiologyWindsor, Ontario | Minimum average 70% on all attempted science and math courses; mean average of entering students 86% | $6,091 |
| Applied BiotechnologyOntario Tech, Ontario | Expected cut-off: low 70s; last year's cut-off: 70 per cent | $6,102 |
| Applied Grape and Wine ScienceBrock, Ontario | Expected cut-off: mid 70s | $6,211 |
| Applied Life SciencesLakehead, Ontario | A minimum 70% overall final average | $6,104 |
| Aquatic BiologyWindsor, Ontario | Minimum average 70% on all attempted science and math courses; mean average of entering students 86% | $6,091 |
| Bachelor of Arts & Science/Medical Sciences: Trent/Swansea Dual DegreeTrent, Ontario | Minimum 80% overall average | $6,241 |
| Bachelor of Science in AgricultureGuelph, Ontario | 75-80% | $6,213 |
Where these numbers come from
- Admission average: future.mcmaster.ca (opens in a new tab) (program page, read by the site owner in a browser on 10 October 2026)
- Entering average (Common University Data Ontario, fall 2022): couprodpublicreports.tgtsolutions.com (opens in a new tab)
- Courses: academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca (opens in a new tab) ((2026-2027 Undergraduate Calendar, Academic Advising Edition PDF), Admission Requirements, Subject Requirements for Specific Level I Programs)
- Pay by field: www150.statcan.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
How every figure in this part of the site is sourced, and the check of every link.
Careerhelp is not affiliated with McMaster University. Requirements and averages change every year: check the school's page before you apply.