Does McMaster University give transfer credit for IB Physics HL?
Hamilton, ON
Yes, Transfer Credit Available – Likely
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
Physics 1A03 and 1AA3
💡Expert's Take
Unlike McMaster's History and Computer Science awards, this one carries real course codes. PHYSICS 1A03 and PHYSICS 1AA3 are named first-year courses, so the credit can satisfy requirements that name them and unlocks courses listing 1A03 as a prerequisite.
There is an antirequisite trap. Holding PHYSICS 1A03 conflicts with 1C03 and 1V03, and 1AA3 conflicts with 1CC3, yet McMaster's calendar specifically recommends that Chemical and Physical Sciences Gateway students take 1C03 and 1CC3. If that is your route, ask the Faculty about placement before accepting. Note too that 1AA3 is the life-sciences stream of modern physics, not the physics-major stream, and that the award uses six of McMaster's 18-unit IB ceiling. Engineering I may apply it only to complementary studies electives.
Official award line (IB Diploma, Physics HL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted: Physics 1A03, 1AA3
Assessment is at the discretion of each Faculty and the published table is a guideline only.
McMaster University transfer credits for high school students
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Your Potential Savings
Credit Awarded
6
unit (1 course = 3 units)
Ontario Resident
~$199-$336/unit
~$1,191 - $2,018
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by faculty and level)
Out-of-Province
~$219-$421/unit
~$1,313 - $2,527
Potential Tuition Value
International
~$1,505-$1,940/unit
~$9,032 - $11,642
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by faculty)
*2025-26 tuition-only rates; 2026-27 not yet posted. Values assume the award replaces tuition you would otherwise pay. Actual cash savings can be $0 under flat-rate or full-time billing unless credit reduces a billed term or time to completion.
📊 Compare Physics HL at Other Universities
See how Physics HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | PHYS 1107 (0.5) & PHYS 1108 (0.5) | View estimate | → | |
| Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebec | 4/7 | 9 transfer credits toward the 120-credit Extended … | View estimate | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | Physics 1280.03 + Physics 1290.03 = 6 credit hours | View estimate | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | PHYS 101 + PHYS 102 (8 credits; B.Sc.Arch. PHYS 10… | View estimate | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | Physics 1020 + Physics 1021 | View estimate | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | 5/7 | Transfer credit, grade "T" (unspecified/elective, … | View estimate | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | PHYS 117 (6.0 units) | View estimate | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU PHYS 101 (3), Q/B-Sci; SFU PHYS 102 (3), Q/B-S… | View estimate | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | Individual evaluation (HL 5 or higher); no publish… | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | PHYS 124 + PHYS 126 (6 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | PHYS_V 100 (3) + PHYS_V 1st-year level (3) | View estimate | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | Physics 221 (3 units) and Physics 223 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | PHYS 9110 (0.50 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | 4/7 | PHYS 1020: General Physics 1 (3) & PHYS 1030: Gene… | View estimate | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | 6/7 | Fredericton: 1000-level Physics (6ch) Saint John: … | View estimate | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | PHY 1121 + PHY 1122 (6 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | 5/7 | PHYS 109 + PHYS 119 | View estimate | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | PHYS 115.3 + PHYS 117.3 = 6 credit units | View estimate | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | PHY1**H + PHY1**H (1.0 cr, A&S, equivalent to PHY1… | View estimate | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 6/7 | PHYS 102A (1.5 units) and PHYS 102B (1.5 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of WindsorWindsor, ON | 5/7 | PHYS-1300 + PHYS-1310 (Introductory Physics for Li… | View estimate | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Physics 1501A (0.5 cr) + Physics 1502B (0.5 cr) = … | View estimate | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | SC/PHYS 1411 3.0 + SC/PHYS 1412 3.0 (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | N/A | Not yet verified | — | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → |
Tip: Open a university to compare same-province, out-of-province, and international tuition values. Flat-rate or full-time billing can make the immediate cash saving $0.
Taking more than Physics HL?
Add all your IB subjects and predicted scores to estimate your total transfer credit across Canadian universities, side by side.
Other IB Subjects at McMaster University
Related subjects you might be interested in at McMaster University
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.
Last updated: July 2026
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