Transfer Credits

Transfer Credits

Students who have been approved to transfer credits from another university and students who participate in a formal university exchange could be eligible to transfer earned credits to McGill if the grade earned in the host university course(s) is equal to or higher than the grade/CGPA required to graduate from the host university. The policy will apply to both elective and required courses and, to be counted, courses must be taken at the host institution for the same purpose (i.e., major, minor, elective, etc.) than they would have at McGill. Please note that grade/GPA requirements may differ across programs and that your Student Affairs Office will determine the category to which credits are transferred to your program.

You need to obtain approval from your Student Affairs Office for courses taken at other universities. In some faculties, you will need approval from your Student Affairs Office and your academic advisor before taking the course, especially if they are part of your program requirements. Please note that credits that have not been preapproved might not be transferred. Admissions, Faculties, and Departments vet the courses they approve for credit and thus have the right to refuse certain courses that do not satisfy program requirements.

You may be granted credit for courses meeting the requirements described above at other universities if you are within the number of credits imposed by McGill's residency and program requirements for some faculties. In general, a minimum of 60 credits completed at McGill is needed to qualify for a McGill degree. You must be in Satisfactory Standing to be granted the transfer credits.

Grades for transfer courses earned at the host university are not entered on your McGill transcript and are not part of the TGPA or CGPA calculation. Courses at a host university which you fail or from which you withdraw will appear on your McGill transcript with zero credit granted.

For universities outside Quebec, it is your responsibility to ensure that the host institution sends an official transcript to the Student Affairs Office. You must submit all documents required for approval of your transfer credits with your faculty at McGill within four months of completing your exchange program or study away. If you are studying at another Quebec university on an Inter-University Transfer (IUT) agreement, the host university sends your grade(s) to McGill automatically. For additional information, see Quebec Inter-University Transfer Agreement.

Transcripts for transfer courses must be received by the following deadlines:

Graduation Term Convocation
April 1, if your term of graduation is Winter Convocation in Spring
August 15, if your term of graduation is Summer Convocation in Fall
December 15, if your term of graduation is Fall Degree granted February, Convocation in Spring

Transcripts not received by the appropriate date are considered for the next graduation period only.

Note for the Faculty of Arts: The Arts Office of Advising and Student Information Services (OASIS) does not encourage you to participate in any type of study away or exchange in the last term of your final year (U3), as this will delay your graduation to the next graduation period.
Note for the Faculty of Engineering: If you are completing a B.Eng. degree, half of your program must be completed at McGill. The number of transfer credits granted for courses taken outside McGill cannot exceed 50% of the total credits for your program. Note that the total of credits for your program includes those associated with the Required Year 0 (Freshman) courses. If you are completing the B.Sc.(Arch.) degree, the number of transfer credits granted will be limited to ensure that you complete a minimum of 60 credits of courses at McGill taken to satisfy your degree requirements, excluding those taken to satisfy the Required Year 0 (Freshman) courses listed in your program.
Note for the Faculty of Law: A limited number of the credits required for the BCL/JD degree program may be obtained in appropriate courses offered by other McGill faculties or other universities, with the approval of the Director (Student Life & Learning) before registration. The total number of credits allowed under this regulation must not exceed six non-law credits and six non-McGill law credits.
Note for the Faculty of Science (including B.A. & Sc.): The Science Office for Undergraduate Student Advising (SOUSA) does not encourage you to participate in any type of study away or exchange in the last term of your final year (U3), as this will delay your graduation to the next graduation period.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Mar. 10, 2023) (disclaimer)

Advanced Standing Transfer Credits

Advanced Standing Transfer Credits

Students who have successfully completed their high school studies, including courses or programs that may result in the awarding of Advanced Standing and exemptions, such as the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement examinations, GCE A-Levels, French Baccalaureate, and other qualifications, must declare these studies upon applying for admission to McGill University. Advanced Standing and exemptions will be given for these completed studies.

Students who have been granted advanced standing for the International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement examinations, GCE A-Levels, French Baccalaureate, and other qualifications, but who wish to complete a four-year undergraduate program at McGill, will be permitted to do so, with the appropriate limitations on the repetition of courses for which they have received exemptions. This gives students with Advanced Standing the option of completing 120 McGill credits.

Interested students should contact their Faculty or School advisors.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Mar. 10, 2023) (disclaimer)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Mar. 10, 2023) (disclaimer)
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