Does McMaster University give transfer credit for IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL?

Hamilton, ON

Business 1 (DeGroote)Engineering 1General (Arts & Science)Faculty Policy

Yes, Transfer Credit Available – Likely

Minimum Grade Required

5or higher

Credit Granted

Mathematics 1F03

💡Expert's Take

McMaster's official IB equivalency table maps Math HL Analysis & Approaches to Mathematics 1F03 (3 units), and the same mapping applies to Math HL Applications & Interpretation. The general IB policy requires a final HL score of 5 or higher, and the Academic Calendar caps total IB advanced credit at 18 units.

What to watch for:

  • Business 1 (DeGroote): per the DeGroote bulletin, "The Faculty of Business does not grant transfer credit for Math or Business-related IB, AP or GCE courses." Math HL AA is unambiguously a math subject, so Business 1 applicants will not receive the Mathematics 1F03 award in practice. Enroll in DeGroote's required first-year math course as though no transfer credit will apply, and direct any transfer-credit request at your non-math, non-business HL subjects. The rule applies equally to IB, AP, and GCE.
  • Engineering, iBioMed, and Computer Science: the Faculty of Engineering likewise excludes math and science, so Math HL AA does not transfer for those admits either.
  • Non-Business, non-Engineering faculties: the Mathematics 1F03 award applies as the IB table states, subject to each Faculty's discretion. Per General Academic Regulations, transfer credit appears on the transcript as "T" and does not count toward GPA, so programs that use a math grade for Level II selection may prefer that you take the course at McMaster.
  • IBH and BTech are ineligible for any transfer credit. Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH) students, per the DeGroote bulletin, "are not eligible for transfer credit." Bachelor of Technology (BTech) students are flagged by the Faculty of Engineering as "unable to receive transfer credit, as they have no electives in their first-year curriculum."
  • SL: no credit. McMaster's IB policy considers Higher Level only.

If your offer is to Business 1 (DeGroote), do not plan your first-year registration around Math HL AA transferring. Direct your transfer-credit ask at your non-math, non-business HL subjects, which may still land as elective credit subject to DeGroote's review. If you later transfer into a faculty that honours the general IB table, the Math HL AA result stays on your IB transcript and can be re-assessed under that faculty's rules.

Official award line (IB Math HL Analysis & Approaches):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted (per McMaster IB table): Mathematics 1F03 (3 units)
Cap: counts toward McMaster's 18-unit maximum on IB advanced credit; awarded at the discretion of each Faculty.
Business 1 (DeGroote): no credit in practice under the "Math or Business-related" exclusion.
Also excluded: Engineering 1, iBioMed 1, and Computer Science 1 (math and science exclusion); IBH and BTech (transfer credit ineligible).
Note: Transfer credit appears on the transcript as "T" and does not count toward GPA.

McMaster Future Students, Transfer Credits for High School Students (IB table) DeGroote School of Business, IB/AP/GCE Assessment

Need help preparing for IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL?

Your Potential Savings

Credits Earned

3

Ontario Resident

~$200-340/credit

~$600 - $1,020

Est. Savings

Out-of-Province

~$250-421/credit

~$750 - $1,263

Est. Savings

International

~$1,500-1,900/credit

~$4,500 - $5,700

Est. Savings

(Eng/Health Sci higher)

*Tuition rates are for 2025 and vary by department. Always verify with McMaster's official sources before making decisions.

📊 Compare Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL at Other Universities

See how Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.

UniversityMin GradeCredit GrantedEst. Savings
University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK5/7MATH 110.3 + MATH 116.3 + MATH Jr.3 + STAT 103.3 =…$3,108
Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS5/7Math 1000.03 + Math 1010.03 = 6 credit hours Engin…$2,052
Western UniversityLondon, ON5/7Calculus 1000A (0.5 cr) + Mathematics 1229B (0.5 c…$1,440
Queen's UniversityKingston, ON5/7MATH 121 (6.0 units)$1,398
Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC4/7Grade 4-5: MATH 1XX (6 units) Grade 6-7: MATH 151 …$1,398
Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON5/7MATH 1004 (0.5) & STAT 1XXX (0.5)$1,365
McGill UniversityMontreal, QC5/7MATH 140 (3 credits)$1,260
University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC6/7MATH_V 100 (3) + MATH_V 101 (3)$1,242
York UniversityToronto, ON5/7SC/MATH 1013 3.0 (3 credits)$729
University of GuelphGuelph, ON5/7MATH 9110 (0.50 credits)$720
Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL5/7MATH 1000 (Calculus I)$675
University of OttawaOttawa, ON5/7MAT 1320 or MAT 1330 or MAT 1300 (3 units)$660
University of TorontoToronto, ON5/7MAT136H1 (0.5 cr, A&S) · MAT135H5+MAT136H5 (1.0 cr…$659
University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta5/7MATH 249 — Introductory Calculus$597
University of AlbertaEdmonton, ABN/ANo transfer credit
University of VictoriaVictoria, BCN/ANo transfer credit
University of WaterlooWaterloo, ONN/ANo transfer credit
14 universities grant credit3 do notBest savings: $3,108

Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.

Data Disclaimer

This information is compiled from McMaster University official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.

McMaster Official WebsiteFaculty of ScienceStudent Reports

Last updated: December 2025

Save Your Transfer Plan

Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL at McMaster University.