The McMaster Exchange Program (also known as MacAbroad or Study Abroad) is administered by the Student Success Centre (Global Experiences). The Faculty of Humanities provides academic advising and graduation-planning services for any Humanities students studying abroad.
The McMaster Exchange Program maintains formal partnerships with partner institutions all over the world. Participating students can study abroad while paying tuition to McMaster University, which is significantly less expensive than studying abroad independently on a Letter of Permission with a non-partner institution. Students can study abroad for one term or a full year.
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Students must meet the following criteria, which include but are not limited to:
- applying in Level II to study abroad in Level III of an Honours or Combined Honours program
- minimum cumulative GPA of 7.0 on at least 60 units
- students must complete their final year at McMaster following the term or year abroad
As part of the application process, students are required to watch both exchange presentations: General Information Session by Student Success and the Humanities Study Abroad Academic Information Session. See “How to Apply” for more information.
Prospective applications are also required to meet with the Humanities Exchange Academic Advisor before submitting their application.
Some partnerships with institutions in France* and Germany require high proficiency in the host country’s language. To receive a language assessment, please email the relevant department:
*Please note that in France there is one program taught in English, the SELF program at Lyon 3. This program does not require a language assessment.
Step 1: Attend the Information Sessions
The International Student Services and Global Opportunities team (Student Success Centre) host mandatory information sessions each year in early October. Click here to learn more and register for upcoming sessions via OscarPlus.
The Humanities Student Experience Office also offers information sessions relating to the academic portion of the application process. Information will be posted to this website in the Fall of each year. Students must attend both presentations before arranging to speak with an Academic Advisor.
Step 2: Meet with the Academic Advisor for Study Abroad.
After attending both information sessions, applicants must meet with the Humanities Study Abroad academic advisor to discuss their program requirements, eligibility, and course options. This is a preliminary meeting, so specific course selections are not required at this point. The goal of this meeting is to discuss your overall requirements and how best to meet them while abroad.
The Humanities Academic Advisor for Study Abroad is Annamaria Skrtic. Click here to book your study abroad academic advising appointment.
Step 3: Apply.
The deadline to apply for MacAbroad is normally on or around January 20* of each year.
*Programs offered through an OUI agreement have an earlier deadline.
Humanities Exchange Information Session on Academics (for 2025-26 exchange)
Are you a Level 2 Humanities student thinking about going on exchange? Watch this webinar for an information session on academics for Humanities students applying to study abroad on exchange. This webinar with familiarize you with the academic implications for studying abroad before the exchange application deadline. Be sure to watch this webinar before arranging to speak with an academic advisor. The webinar is presented by the Humanities Student Experience Office and is valid for students looking to study abroad in the 2025-26 academic year only.
Partner Institutions
Exchange Partner Institutions Learn More
The McMaster Exchange Program gives students access to partner institutions with whom McMaster has a formal exchange agreement, including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, China, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and more!
Students wishing to study in China, France or Germany should apply through the OUI Agreement.
Ontario Universities International (OUI) Exchange Agreements Learn more
Ontario Universities International is a project of participating universities in Ontario and of Ontario’s postsecondary partners in China, France, Germany, and India.
McCall MacBain International Fellowship Learn more
For one year, immerse yourself in another culture to learn the language, enhance your academics, and gain employment experience that will develop your curiosity, grit, resilience, and understanding of the world around you.
Fellowship winners receive up to $30,000 to fund expenses for a year abroad (one language term, one academic term, one work term).
What I found the most beneficial from my experience was the ability to encounter new academic settings at the same time as immersing myself in a new culture. Now, I am able to analyze a topic from more angles than before as a result of pushing my academic boundaries while on exchange.
