McGill University
Canada's most internationally recognised university - elite medicine, law, and arts in the heart of Montreal.
McGill University is Canada's most internationally recognised university and consistently ranks among the world's top 30. Situated in downtown Montreal on the slope of Mount Royal, McGill has produced more Nobel laureates per capita than any other Canadian university. Quebec's lower tuition makes McGill exceptionally affordable compared to equivalent-calibre schools in other provinces.
What average do you need to get into McGill?
There is no single McGill acceptance rate - admission is program-by-program. Top competitive programs like Medicine (MDCM) require high 90s (95%+) + CASPer + interview, while programs at the more accessible end admit students with averages around high 80s. A competitive overall average for most McGill programs is roughly the mid-80s and up. Check the per-program admission averages below to find your target.
Key Facts
- Location: Montreal, QC
- Founded: 1821
- Students: 40,000
- Maclean's ranking: #1
- QS World ranking: #27
- Approximate domestic tuition: $9000/year
- Co-op available: No
Top Strengths
- Medicine
- Law
- Sciences
- Engineering
- Music
- Arts
- Management
Admission Averages by Program
Real admission average ranges for McGill programs, from most accessible to most competitive:
- Medicine (MDCM) — admission average: high 90s (95%+) + CASPer + interview (One of North America's top medical schools. Accepts both Quebec and OOP applicants.)
- Law (BCL/LLB) — admission average: low-to-mid 90s (Canada's top bilingual law program - common law and civil law combined.)
- Computer Science — admission average: low-to-mid 90s (Growing program in a city that is rapidly becoming a major global AI hub.)
- Software Engineering — admission average: low-to-mid 90s (Strong research program, good Montreal tech industry connections.)
- Electrical Engineering — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Strong research, good industry connections in Montreal.)
- Mechanical Engineering — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Well-regarded internationally, strong aerospace connections.)
- Chemical Engineering — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Strong research program, excellent grad school pipeline.)
- Management (Desautels) — admission average: low-to-mid 90s (Globally ranked, exceptional for finance, consulting, and investment banking.)
- Economics — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Strong quantitative program, good for finance and policy careers.)
- Biology — admission average: high 80s (Excellent research opportunities, strong pre-med pipeline.)
- Chemistry — admission average: high 80s (Strong research, one of Canada's best chemistry departments.)
- Mathematics & Statistics — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Strong for actuarial science and quantitative finance.)
- Psychology — admission average: high 80s (Large program with excellent research infrastructure.)
- Political Science — admission average: high 80s (Strong for law and international relations careers.)
- Music (Schulich School) — admission average: Audition-based (One of North America's top music conservatories.)
- Nursing (BScN) — admission average: high 80s-low 90s (Competitive, strong clinical network across Montreal.)
- Education — admission average: mid-to-high 80s (Quebec teacher certification pathway.)
Things to Know
- Quebec residents pay dramatically lower tuition (~$4,000/year) - out-of-province students pay more but it's still below Ontario rates.
- McGill's bilingual environment is a genuine asset - some French helps but full fluency isn't required for most programs.
- Montreal's cost of living is significantly lower than Toronto or Vancouver - a major financial advantage.
- The Desautels Faculty of Management is globally ranked and particularly strong for finance careers.
- McGill's pre-med pathway is highly competitive internally - 3.8+ GPA is typically needed for MD consideration.
Notable Alumni
- William Shatner
- Justin Trudeau
- Leonard Cohen