Time for graduate studies

It is time to think about graduate studies. Many students will complete the last year of their undergraduate program soon. Do you know what to do next?

Think about the following:

  • Graduate studies is very different than undergraduate studies. You will work one on one with a faculty member; close interaction between a supervisor and a student doing research is a central part of graduate education at McMaster. You do research in a subject of your choice. You only have to take a few selected courses (typically 4 for a research-based degree or 6 for an M.Eng.) in a small classroom setting.
  • Graduate school offers an exciting opportunity to further develop and refine the knowledge and skills you acquired as an undergraduate student.
  • Several of our graduate students are involved in industry-related/sponsored projects and sometimes combine an internship with graduate studies.
  • Having a graduate degree sets you apart as you apply for a job.
  • Each graduate student has assigned space in a laboratory or grad student office and access to state-of-the-art facilities.
  • Enjoy a collaborative environment with your fellow graduate students while taking advantage of the opportunity to learn in an interdisciplinary environment.

Some interesting facts about graduate studies:

  • As a graduate student in a research Master's or Ph.D. program you earn money to support yourself. A graduate student in a thesis-based program receives a minimum of $16,500 per year at the Master's level and $19,000 per year at the Ph.D. level.
  • There is an additional $1,000 scholarship offered to any Canadian or permanent resident who receives and accepts an offer of admission before March 31 2009 to a research based graduate program as a full time student. APPLY EARLY!!
  • The average salary of an individual with a graduate degree is 15-20% higher than that of someone with only an undergraduate degree.
Please talk with our faculty members, or contact our graduate advisors. You will find that they are more than happy to talk with you about graduate studies in our department.

Please also see the following links: