Master's (MSc) Program

Applicants must hold a B.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in a discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, with an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0/4.0, or a Grade Point Average of 3.2/4.0 within the last two full-time academic years.

Doctoral (PhD) Program

Applicants must hold a M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in a discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, with an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0/4.0, or a Grade Point Average of 3.2/4.0 within the last two full-time academic years. Such candidates will be registered at the Ph.D. 2 level.

Applicants who wish to be fast-tracked from a B.Sc. to a Ph.D. 1 level may apply to the Ph.D. 1 program, but must have a minimum CGPA of 3.5/4.0.

*For International Applicants: Please visit the International Degree Equivalency page to find further information.

1. CONFIRM A SUPERVISOR

All applicants must first arrange with a faculty member of the department for acceptance into his/her laboratory to carry out the thesis research. It is important to carefully consider the research interests of individual faculty members and contact them to discuss possible projects.

Please visit the Connecting with Supervisors page for more information, tips, and advice on finding a potential supervisor. There are also information sessions (live and pre-recorded) offered with detailed information about this process.

You may find information about our academic staff in our Departmental Directory. Please note that Adjunct Members may serve only as co-supervisors, and the primary supervisor must be a Full or Associate Member of the Department.

All applicants must complete the Supervisor Confirmation Form to be considered for acceptance into our graduate studies program. 

• For a more detailed description of the roles and responsibilities of both the student and supervisor during graduate studies in our department, please review the Letter of Understanding document found on the Forms & Guidelines page.

2. TWO LETTERS OF REFERENCE

On the online application form, you must provide the names and e-mail addresses of at least two professors who are familiar with both your academic and laboratory work (and who will not be your prospective supervisors). McGill will contact these referees and invite them to upload references on your behalf. Letters must be from academic or other professional employers who can evaluate your potential for graduate studies and/or speak knowledgeably about your accomplishments. You must provide a valid institutional e-mail address for each referee (unfortunately Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc., will not be accepted).

3. PROOF OF PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH (if applicable)

All international applicants whose mother tongue is not English and 1) have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized Canadian institution OR 2) have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction MUST submit examination results from the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS).

Notes on McGill's TOEFL requirements

• McGill's IELTS requirements: A minimum overall band score of 6.5 or greater is required.
• Note: The official English Language Proficiency Test results must be sent directly to McGill University (Institution Code: 0935) by the testing service. Applications cannot be considered if test results are not available.
• Note: Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are not required.