About
The Office of International Affairs offers a variety of summer English programs created to give students an experience of student life, studies, and research at McMaster University. Our programs are also intended to motivate students to come to McMaster for further studies or research collaboration. Information about specific programs can be found below, including program brochures, in the brochures below.
Specialized Summer Programs
Geared towards university students (both undergraduate and graduate) and faculty, the Specialized Summer Programs combine specialized instruction with an optional English & Cultural Immersion pre-course section. This specialized instruction covers subject areas across various fields of Health Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, and Business, with customizable program lengths of 1-4 weeks. Most programs are scheduled between the second week of July to the second week of August. Please be aware that although we may accept individual students for these programs, we typically create the programs to fit the needs of university student or faculty groups.
For the 2025 year, we are currently offering programs in Medical Research & Digital Health, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Please see below for further details, including program overviews, scheduling, fees, and application processes.
If you have any questions after reading below, please don’t hesitate to contact us at oia@mcmaster.ca for more information or to discuss your customized program interests.
Expandable List
Program Description
This popular program provides participants with an opportunity to learn essential concepts in entrepreneurship and innovation, including: entrepreneurial opportunity identification, leadership for innovation, enterprise opportunity development, and business launch and development. The program culminates in a Start-up Pitch Competition which will provide awards to the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners.
The pre-course section also includes 1-2 weeks of intensive English practice with an emphasis on developing a strong foundation of language skills relevant to entrepreneurship and innovation topics.
Participants should be current university students at the senior undergraduate or graduate level. This program is taught by expert McMaster faculty and the program is readily applicable to fields of engineering, design and business.
For the 2025 programming, there will be Entrepreneurship & Innovation programs offered for Science/Engineering students, and options with a focus on Strategic Digital Transformation for Business/Humanities/Social Sciences students.
Program Brochures
Science/Engineering Focus:
Brochure_E&I_Sci-Eng_2025 (2wks)
Brochure_E&I_Sci-Eng_2025 (3wks)
Business/Humanities/Social Sciences Focus:
Brochure_Digital Transformation for Entrepreneurs_2025 (2wks)
Brochure_Digital Transformation for Entrepreneurs_2025 (3wks)
Program Description
The Medical Research & Digital Health program offers an intensive introduction to the fields of medical research and digital health, including lectures and discussions on topics such as Health Research Methods,
Health Policy, Health Economics, Public & Population Health, Health Informatics, Health Technology Assessment and Health Data Mining and Applications for AI. The program culminates in individual student presentations of process maps, which demonstrates their understating of medical research and digital health concepts through detailed explanations of medical research and digital health technologies in patient “care paths.”
The pre-course selection also includes intensive English practice with an emphasis on developing a strong foundation of English language skills relevant to medical research, digital health, and health policy.
Participating students should be at the senior undergraduate or graduate level in health sciences, medical studies, or related fields. This program is taught by a team of McMaster faculty from faculties of Health Sciences, Social Sciences and Business.
Program Brochure
Brochure_Medical Research and Digital Health_2025
| Program | Dates | Fee (CAD) | Brochure |
| Strategic Digital Transformation Program (Business/Humanities/Social Sciences) |
July 19 – August 3, 2025 (2 weeks) | $4,350 | Click Here |
| Strategic Digital Transformation Program (Business/Humanities/Social Sciences) |
July 14 – August 3, 2025 (3 weeks) | $5,000 | Click Here |
| Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Science/Engineering) |
July 19 – August 3, 2025 (2 weeks) | $4,350 | Click Here |
| Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Science/Engineering) |
July 14 – August 3, 2025 (3 weeks) | $5,000 | Click Here |
| Medical Research & Digital Health | July 14 – August 10, 2025 (4 weeks) |
$5,500 | Click Here |
*Please note, there is also an optional Eastern Canada Trip for students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Summer Program for an additional $750 CAD. This trip will only run if enough students have enrolled.
Program Fees Include: tuition, meal card (value varies by program), accommodation, excursions, airport pick-up and drop-off, access to recreational facilities, and university health insurance.
Payment Information: A non-refundable deposit of CAD $300.00 must accompany the application form. The deposit should be in the form of a certified Bank Cheque or Money Order payable to McMaster University. The balance must be paid one month before the beginning of the program.
To apply to one of our Specialized Summer Programs, please download and return this form.
For online payment options, please click the button below.
English & Cultural Immersion Summer Programs
The English & Cultural Immersion Summer Programs are geared towards students (both high school or undergraduate) who would like to improve their English in an English-speaking environment. These programs also include great opportunities to experience Canadian culture and visit world-renowned sites, including Niagara Falls. We currently offer 3-week and 2-week programs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact May Zhai at chenmay@mcmaster.ca, or Paul Leegsma at leegsmp@mcmaster.ca.
Program information, brochures, and application forms can be found below.
Expandable List
Program Description
Our intensive English & Cultural Immersion Summer Programs are designed for pre-university and university students who would like to combine a high-quality English-language development program with the experience of Canadian culture. Classroom activities integrate listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, from beginner to advanced levels.
In addition to in-class ESL instruction, students will enjoy activities in small groups led by McMaster University students. These activities are both educational and fun, and help to apply and improve students’ language abilities while introducing them to different aspects of Canadian life. Activities range from organized sports events, to trips to major shopping centres, movie theatres and restaurants. These extracurricular excursions provide students with opportunities to practice their English in real-life settings.
Students will also have the opportunity to experience Canada’s beautiful outdoors with trips to places of special scenic interest such as the Royal Botanical Gardens. We also arrange trips to Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, among other places of interest.
Program Features
Features of our English & Cultural Immersion Programs include:
- 30 hours/week of language instruction (15 hours in class, 12.5 hours applied practice per week)
- highly qualified and experienced instructors
- small, friendly classes, ensuring students receive individual attention
- afternoon tutorials taught and facilitated by McMaster graduate students
- lessons including reading, writing, academic vocabulary and presentations
- welcome and graduation ceremonies
- completion / achievement reports available upon arrangement
- on-campus accommodation in university residences
- use of university facilities and services, including Wi-Fi
- visits to local historic and scenic sites
- a full schedule of organized excursions and recreational activities (a three-day sight-seeing trip to Quebec/Thousand Islands, Ontario is an optional add-on)
Program Brochures
Brochure_English and Cultural Immersion_2025 (2 and 3 weeks)
Brochure_English and Cultural Immersion_2025 (August)
| Program | Dates | Fee (CAD) | Brochure |
| English & Cultural Immersion | July 14 – August 3, 2025 | $4,450 | Click Here |
| English & Cultural Immersion | July 20 – August 3, 2025 | $3,950 | Click Here |
| English & Cultural Immersion | August 1 – August 23, 2025 | $4,100 | Click Here |
*Please note, there is also an optional Eastern Canada Trip for an additional $750 CAD. This trip will only run if enough students have enrolled.
Program Fees Include: tuition, meal card (value varies by program), accommodation, excursions, airport pick-up and drop-off, access to recreational facilities, and university health insurance.
Payment Information: A non-refundable deposit of CAD $300.00 must accompany the application form. The deposit should be in the form of a certified Bank Cheque or Money Order payable to McMaster University. The balance must be paid one month before the beginning of the program.
To apply to one of our English & Cultural Immersion Summer Programs, please download and return this form.
For online payment options, please click the button below.