Frequently asked questions

How long is the program?

What can I do with this diploma?

How many internships are there? How long are they?

Where can I work during my stage?

Is stage paid?

Where is the school?

What is the deadline to apply?

What do I need to be admitted?

Do I have to be from a farm?

Where would I live?

How do I book a room in residence?

How much does this program cost?

Is this an undergraduate program?

Can I study part-time or as part of a continuing education program?

What are the advantages of being part of McGill University?

 

How long is the program?

This is a three-year program. It includes six teaching semesters and two summer internships. Students graduate with a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies, part of the Quebec CEGEP system. Graduates who go on to own part of an agricultural business within Quebec may be eligible to apply for a $50 000 establishment grant from La Financière agricole du Québec.

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What can I do with this diploma?

Many of our graduates are from farms, and they return home after graduation to take over the family business. They can access grants and loans to make improvements to their farms such as increasing herd size, renovations, modernizations and new machinery. Others start their own agri-businesses. Our graduates also find work throughout the agricultural sector in feed sales, seed and fertilizer sales, pest management, genetics advisors, as farm managers, horticulturists, technicians for ag robotics companies, and much, much more. Some of our graduates begin undergraduate degree programs in agriculture.

How many internships are there? How long are they?

Altogether, there are four internships, or stages. The first one is in October of the first year and lasts one week. The second is in March of the first year, and also lasts one week. The third and fourth stages are during the summer (between first and second year, and between second and third year) and each lasts a minimum of 10 weeks.

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Where can I work during my stage?

The FMT program has connections to many different farms and businesses, both locally in Quebec or Ontario and in Western Canada. It is the responsibility of the student to pick his/her desired stage location and make the arrangements. Students who come from a farm at home are not permitted to work at home for the first summer stage, but are encouraged to work at home for the second summer stage.

Is stage paid?

The two one-week internships might be paid, and might not, depending on what training is involved in the work you will be doing. The first summer stage is usually paid. If you work at you family's farm for the second summer stage, then payment depends on you and your parents!

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Where is the school?

The Macdonald Campus is located in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, on the western tip of the island of Montreal. We're two hours from Ottawa, two hours from Sherbrooke, and 30 minutes from downtown Montreal.

Island map to Macdonald Campus

What is the deadline to apply?

The official deadline is March 1st. Quebec students can apply through SRAM (deadline March 1) or they can apply through the McGill online application.
Keep in mind that after you apply, we must receive all of your supporting documents before we can reach a decision on your application. We strongly recommend all students apply well before March 1st. All applications received up to this date will be considered equally for places.
In order to have enough time to obtain the necessary travel documents, International students must apply before January 15.

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What do I need to be admitted?

Students should have a good practical knowledge of farming under eastern Canadian conditions. One year of experience is recommended, but under special conditions a four-month summer season is acceptable.

Students coming from Quebec need their high school diploma (commonly referred to as the DES - diplôme d'études secondaires) with a minimum of Secondary V English and French, and Secondary IV History, Science, and Math. Advanced math or sciences are not required but are recommended.

Students coming from Ontario need their high school diploma (OSSD)* plus (minimum):

  • Grade 12 Immersion French
  • Science: SNC2P (recommended with TCJ20 or TDJ20 or TMJ20) or SNC2D (desired with TCJ20 or TDJ20 or TMJ20)
  • Mathematics: MFM2P or MPM2D

*Students who have completed these requirements, and have finished Grade 11 in Ontario with 22 credits may be eligible for admission.

For other Canadian students, the minimum French requirement is grade 12 Immersion French. Please contact the department for more information about equivalent math and science courses.

For international students, a recognized French proficiency test may be required. English proficiency tests may also be required. All students must also demonstrate knowledge of agriculture.

Do I have to be from a farm?

No, you don't! We have students every year who come from suburbs, large cities or simply non-agricultural rural areas, who go on to establish their own farm, to manage an existing farm or to any number of positions in the agri-business industry. There are opportunities to gain agricultural experience right here on campus. That said, students are still required to have some agricultural experience to make sure this is the right program for them.

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Where would I live?

Macdonald Campus has residences on campus, and Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue has many affordable apartments and houses for rent within walking distance.

How do I book a room in residence?

If you are interested in living on-campus, you should indicate this where it asks on the application form. Once you have been admitted, and you have confirmed the offer of admission, a residence application form will open for you in Minerva (McGill's online registration system). You must complete all the steps and pay your residence deposit before June 1 to be eligible.

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How much does this program cost?

Student services and student society fees vary depending on whether you are a Quebec, out-of-province Canadian, or International student. International students also pay a mandatory health and dental insurance which is added to the student services total. International and Canadian students who are not residents of Quebec will also be assessed a tuition fee per semester. Review the current tuition and student administration fees. We recommend budgeting an additional $300 for books and supplies. Living expenses depend on where you live.

Is this an undergraduate program?

No, the Farm Management and Technology program is not an undergraduate (Bachelor's degree) program, it is a collegial diploma program that is part of the CEGEP system in Quebec. It does not lead to a degree, and students should not apply to the program as a means to get into undergraduate programs at McGill. FMT is the only collegial program offered by McGill University.

Can I study part-time or as part of a continuing education program?

No. The FMT program is designed for full-time students only - courses are only offered once per semester, and in one time slot. Because of the sequential nature of the program it is not possible to study part-time, or to complete the program in less than 3 years. It is also not possible to take individual courses from the FMT program for continuing education purposes. Inquiries about continuing education opportunities in agriculture should be made to the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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What are the advantages of being part of McGill University?

As an FMT student, you are a student of McGill University and have access to all McGill services, including athletic facilities and libraries. Student Services at Macdonald Campus offers Career Planning Service (CaPS), counseling, advising, Student Financial Aid, Student Health Services, distributes health insurance to international students and coordinates all the midterm examinations for students registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities. Other services available include dental and health insurance plans (through MCSS). There is also a farm at Macdonald Campus, which supports teaching with labs at the horticulture centre, greenhouses, dairy complex, poultry complex, swine complex, agronomic research centre (field crops), and technical shop.

Student Services, Macdonald Campus
Student Services, Downtown Campus

The campuses are connected by a shuttle bus, which is free for students.

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