McGILL UNIVERSITY - MONTREAL - CANADA

*Details correct as of September 2023

Public research university with a strong international vibe and strong pre professional programmes
English university in a French province
Established in 1821
40,000+ students (27,000 undergraduates)
Graduate in six years: 84%
Returning freshmen: 92%
30% international from 150+ countries
Diversity and creativity are very much celebrated – not a university where you are encouraged to fit in. McGill students are known to be hard-working, intellectual, research-orientated and fiercely independent. They are also eager to learn French and happy to embrace the four seasons.

Two campuses
Main Downtown Campus – 80-acre green oasis in the middle of Montreal’s hustle and bustle, both modern and traditional buildings, recreation trails of Mount Royal are nearby, home to the majority of students
McDonald Campus – 1,600 acres of woods and trees on the shores of Lac St-Louis, around 2,000 students, small class sizes and hands-on learning, mix of high-tech and nature, 45 mins from downtown Montreal
Montreal has hot summers and absolutely freezing winters
Montreal is a very cultural city – world-class museums, galleries, restaurants, shops, ad music
Many free concerts and festivals all over the city throughout the year
New York City, Ottawa and Toronto are popular road trip destinations

Over 300 programmes
Downtown: Arts, Engineering, Education, Management, Music, Nursing Science
McDonald Campus: Human Nutrition, Bioresource Engineering, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Students can take electives or minors on the other campus
Primarily 4 year degree programmes
Students apply a discipline (or faculty) and declare a major before their 2nd year
Freshmen must gain 6-12 credits in three of four disciplines, including languages, math and science, social sciences, and humanities
Options for honours programmes, double majors, minors, electives and multiple concentrations instead of a major, Also offers a double degree interdisciplinary programme – combine a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science
A number of programmes are offered through more than one faculty with different entry requirements. Eg. Psychology and Computer Science are both offered through the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.
Strong programmes: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Political Science, Commerce, Education
Introductory classes can be very large – up to 1,000 students – so students must be able to self advocate and be willing to seek out professors and advisors
Many field trips, internships and exchange programmes – especially popular during the winter months
Advanced standing can be given to a maximum of 30 credits – includes IB, A levels, AP exams, French Bac, European Bac – depends on results achieved and programme applied for.

Apply online via the McGill website
Deadline – 15th January (opens start of October)
Scholarship deadline – 21st January
Supporting document deadline – 15th March
Need-based financial aid – 30 days from acceptance
Rolling admissions – track admission on Minerva platform
Students can apply for two programmes of study (decisions may come at different times)
Application fee = $122 CAD
Admission requirements = educational background (high school transcript) + choice of programme + proof of English proficiency (some exemptions)
Admission review is not based on citizenship
For most programmes there are no essays, recommendation letters, extra curricular lists or interviews – the admission decision is primarily based on educational background (grades)
Architecture, Music, Nursing, Social Work, Education and Religious Studies have additional admission requirements
Grades that are listed on the website do not guarantee admission – minimum grades for entry may fluctuate from year to year
Review last 3-4 years of high school paying particular attention to overall averages and results in prerequisite courses

International Tuition – $21,006 to $56,544 CAD – degree programme determines tuition
Merit scholarship – minimum average of 96% or equivalent of last two years of study and/or rank in top 1-2% of class (eg. predicted A Levels – 4 A levels A*A*AA/ ACT 33 / SAT – minimum 730 in each section / minimum GPA 3.9/4.0 unweighted)
Basic Entrance Scholarship – one year $3000 CAD. No application
Major Entrance Scholarship – Renewable $3000-10,000 CAD, separate application on Minerva includes school transcript, 2 recommendations and a personal essay.
Need-Based financial aid/Entrance Bursary (grants) Program – renewed each year based on financial circumstances, CSS profile needed, separate application on Minerva, must also apply for governmental loans, must apply within 30 days of getting an offer. These are very much offered to international students.

University accommodation is limited
Traditional and alternative residence halls house just over 13% of students – dorms, apartments and shared facilities housing
Can register interest when applying

McGill students are very sociable and love to have fun!
Lots of on-campus social activities but many also venture into Montreal.
McGill has Canada’s first social fraternity for gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men
Popular campus events include: Homecoming, Winter Carnival, and Frosh activities during orientation
Ski slopes are less than an hour away
Lots of sporting options – men and women’s basketball and ice hockey, men’s rugby and women’s soccer are the most popular varsity sports. The McGill-Harvard rugby match is an annual must-see.
McGill Summer Academy for students in Grades 10 and 11

McGILL UNIVERSITY – MONTREAL – CANADA