International Learning Experience: Summer Programs

Program Description
This program is designed for participants to experience the latest concepts, skills, and English language relevant to entrepreneurship and digital technologies. While practicing and improving communication skills in this context, participants will have an opportunity to learn essential topic including: best practices in start-ups; creating positive company culture; effective techniques of communication and persuasion; learning about digital transformation; data science and AI; and understanding venture capital from the entrepreneur’s perspective.

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 business, humanities, and social sciences.

Program Brochures
Brochure_Digital Transformation for Entrepreneurs_2026 (2wks)
Brochure_Digital Transformation for Entrepreneurs_2026 (3wks)

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 2026 programming, there will be Entrepreneurship & Innovation programs offered for Science/Engineering students. For Business/Humanities/Social Sciences students, we recommend the above Strategic Digital Transformation program.

Program Brochures
Brochure_E&I_Sci-Eng_2026 (2wks)
Brochure_E&I_Sci-Eng_2026 (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 understanding 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_2026

Program Description
The Sport Science & Leadership program offers participants a foundation of concepts and leadership skills relevant to sport science, athletics, and recreation management. With lectures and teachings based on the latest research and best practices in the field, participants will learn a variety of disciplines in sport and physical activity. Topics include Athletic Training & Conditioning, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Sport Health, Resistance Training Exercise Technique, and Coaching and Practice for Ball Games. The program culminates in a pitch competition for a business idea in fitness, health, and wellness, during which students will demonstrate their understanding of applied concepts across athletics and entrepreneurship. Participants should be current university students at the undergraduate or graduate level.

The three-week program also includes a week of preparatory English to ensure students can effectively participate in the program, and improve their English skills for academic and workplace environments.

Program Brochure
Brochure_Sport Science & Leadership_2026 (2wks)
Brochure_Sport Science & Leadership_2026 (3wks)

Program Description
The IGNITE Health Research Program is a four-week intensive summer course that introduces leaders to global and novel approaches in translational and experimental health research, building foundational skills, confidence, and a research-oriented mindset for future clinical and health research engagement. Designed for students who wish to explore the field of health research, including first- and second- year medical students and learners from other disciplines, this program introduces participants to the core principles and practice of clinical and health research.

Under the mentorship of McMaster’s world-class faculty and researchers, students will learn to ask better questions, critically appraise evidence, and translate research concepts into practical study designs.

Program Brochure
IGNITE Health Program_2026

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 submit this 2026 Online Summer Application Form.

If you are having trouble with the online form, please download this document and email the completed PDF to oia@mcmaster.ca.

For online payment options, please click the button below.

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_2026 (2wks and 3wks)
Brochure_English and Cultural Immersion_2026 (August 3wks)

*Please note, there is also an optional Eastern Canada Trip for an additional $850 CAD. This trip is only available to participants enrolled in the three-week July 12 – August 2 program, and will only run if enough participants have registered.

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 submit this 2026 Online Summer Application Form.

If you are having trouble with the online form, please download this document and email the completed PDF to oia@mcmaster.ca.

For online payment options, please click the button below.

For online payment options, please click the button below.