The W Booth School of Engineering Practice and Technology in McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering and St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada, West Indies have announced a new admissions partnership for graduates of the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Biotechnology program.
Starting September 2025, McMaster BTech Biotechnology graduates can apply for fast-track admission into the four-year Doctor of Medicine program at SGU. Eligibility is based on a transcript review to determine completion of required coursework and a competitive GPA.
This new pathway acknowledges the exceptional rigour of BTech’s interdisciplinary Biotechnology curriculum, which not only prepares students for careers in engineering and science but now opens an additional pathway to medical practice, further expanding students’ professional outcomes.
Students who meet the academic requirements can complete their basic sciences training for the SGU Medical Doctor (MD) program through two pathways: two years of study at the Grenada campus, or a hybrid program combining one year at Northumbria University (UK) followed by one year in Grenada. For clinical training, students rotate through SGU’s extensive network of affiliated teaching hospitals across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This network encompasses more than 75 hospitals and health systems, providing comprehensive clinical and ambulatory care experience.
“This groundbreaking pathway is a testament to our commitment to bridging the gap between biotechnology and medicine, equipping our graduates with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare sector,” says W Booth School professor Allan MacKenzie.
MacKenzie, alongside Kostas Apostolou, the Associate Director for Undergraduate programs at W Booth School, has been key in facilitating the partnership, building upon his 2019 Emerging Leaders in the America’s program involvement, which led to collaborations with SGU.
This pathway agreement culminates years of relationship-building and shared vision.
“Having worked closely with SGU as a visiting professor, I saw the incredible potential for aligning our biotechnology program with their medical curriculum. This pathway agreement culminates years of relationship-building and shared vision,” says MacKenzie.
A defining aspect of this partnership is a $85,000 USD scholarship from SGU for accepted students with competitive overall and science-specific GPA. Beyond this award, students remain eligible for additional scholarships through SGU’s extensive financial aid program, which distributed over $71 million USD in the 2023-2024 academic year.
Making the path to medical school even more accessible, the partnership waives application fees and eliminates the MCAT requirement, recognizing the rigorous preparation provided by the BTech program’s comprehensive biotechnology curriculum.
“This opportunity significantly broadens the academic and career horizons for our BTech-Biotechnology graduates, offering invaluable global experience,” says Heather Sheardown, Dean of Engineering at McMaster. “We eagerly anticipate our first alumni embarking on this journey, gaining the academic and practical expertise needed to make meaningful contributions to healthcare in Canada.”
Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of SGU’s School of Medicine, says, “St. George’s University is delighted to offer this new opportunity for aspiring doctors from the W Booth School to pursue degrees in medicine with us. We’re tremendously proud to partner with the W Booth School to create more avenues for qualified Canadian students to become practicing physicians, while helping to address Canada’s ongoing physician shortage.”
Learn more about the BTech Biotechnology program in the W Booth School.
