Study Away refers to an academic activity where students independently pursue courses at a host institution and receive credits from the home university. Students apply to the host institution directly, paying their fees and following their deadlines.
To be eligible, a student must:
- Be a registered BCom student in the current academic year
- Have a CGPA of at least:
- 2.70 for study in the fall or winter terms
- 2.00 for study in the summer term
For Summer Studies Opportunities, please refer to Partner Opportunities Abroad. Note that these programs will be considered an independent study-away. Before submitting an application, be sure to first check in with the BCom office and remember to take note of any study away application deadlines.
- Step 1: Select host institution
- Step 2: Course equivalency and transfer credits
- Step 3: Apply for Study Away
- Step 4: Arrange to have your transcript sent to McGill
- Review Special Notes
Step 1: Select host institution
Find a host institution and verify their admission requirements and application deadlines. Before submitting a Minerva Independent Study Away application, ensure that the host university is currently accepting students to study on campus as non-degree, fee-paying Visiting Student and that you meet the host university's eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Course equivalency and transfer credits
All courses taken outside of McGill, including electives, must be actively equivalent in the McGill Course Equivalency System. Get your course assessed for equivalency and verify course requirements. Consult the Course equivalency and transfer credits page for details.
Step 3: Apply for Study Away
After the courses have been assessed as equivalent:
- Apply for Study Away in Minerva before the deadline:
- Summer: opens on February 15 - deadline is August 15
- Fall: opens on March 1 - deadline is August 15
- Winter: opens on March 1 - deadline is December 15
- Statements of Purpose are required for Study Away in the Fall and Winter terms only.
- Fill out the Transfer Credit Assessment Form on Minerva.
- bcom.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Study%20Away%20application%20submitted) (E-mail the BCom Office) at bcom.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca that a form has been completed. Please include your student ID number and the country where you plan to study in your email.
- After the BCom Office has been notified, a BCom Adviser will review/approve the application for Study Away and review/approve the courses.
- Once all approvals are completed, a letter of permission will be generated on Minerva. Please retain this letter since the information it contains may be required by the host institution.
Step 4: Arrange to have your transcript sent to McGill
You are responsible to have the host institution provide your home university with a copy of your Official Transcript of grades from your Study Away. The preferred method is for the host university to directly email the Official Transcript to officialschooldocs [at] mcgill.ca . Please arrange for a transcript to be sent to McGill as soon as your term is finished. You may be charged a fee for any changes that need to be made to your student record after government reporting deadlines have passed.
Things to Note About Study Away
- Please allow 5 to 7 business days for approvals.
- Approval does NOT guarantee you will be able to get into your chosen course(s).
- No credits will be granted for online management courses. We will require proof that management courses are on campus courses before credits are granted.
- A maximum of 6 credits will be granted for online non-management electives only.
- Students on US aid cannot receive any credits for online courses. Learn more
- The maximum number of credits that can be transferred includes: Exchange, Study Away (summer courses) and Inter University Transfer courses. A maximum of 12 credits for your major, 6 credits for your concentration or minor and 9 credits for management core from any institution other than McGill University.
- The BCom Office makes all final decisions regarding course approvals.
- If you decide not to do your Study Away, you must inform the BCom Office in writing. Failing to do so may delay graduation.
- Please ensure that minor courses are approved by the minor adviser
- It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the McGill BCom requirements for all courses taken.
