Applying to the MSc program

On this page: Dates for guaranteed consideration | Program information |Application and Required Documents| Application Status | Application Checklist | Requirements | Courses

Admission application dates for guaranteed consideration

Please also see the information in the McGill e-calendar. *Note that our NEW admission requirements and application deadlines listed above, have NOT yet been included in the following websites:

Program information

The master's program is intended for those having a strong interest in otolaryngology research (e.g., Otolaryngologists, physicians, dentists, therapists, veterinarians, medical professionals, engineering or science undergraduates, and others).  The program addresses research questions using an interdisciplinary approach, combining methodologies of both the clinical sciences and the basic sciences. The master's program is unique in Canada and rare elsewhere. Graduates of the program can better treat ear-nose-throat diseases; they are better positioned to do, and to evaluate, research in Otolaryngology. They typically obtain the most highly sought positions in their fields. 

McGill requires a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two years of full-time studies. If your university does not use a 4.0 scale, please consult GPS's International Degree Equivalency fact sheets.

Applicants (including Permanent Residents of Canada) whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), are required to submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English by taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)examination. Applicants must receive at least a minimum score of 86 overall (no less than 20 in each of the four component scores) on the internet based test, or a minimum score of 567 on the paper based version of the TOEFL test. Applicants must ensure that official test results are sent to directly to McGill (Institution Code: 0935) by the testing service.[TOEFL results are only valid for two years from the date the test was written].

Admission to the MSc program requires acceptance by a research supervisor. Prospective students should contact research supervisors individually.  Please consult our Department's Research page for possible supervisors. The proposed program must be approved by the Departmental Research Committee.

Financial Support

Graduate students can finance their education from several sources including Canadian federal and provincial governments.  In order to maximum chances of obtaining such funding, applicants should contact the department during the summer proceeding the admission application deadline.   

Application and Required Documents

All supplemental application materials and supporting documents must be uploaded directly to the McGill admissions processing system. See www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/submitting-your-documents for information and instructions.

All applicants to the Master of Science in Otolaryngology must submit the following:

1. Online Application for Admission form: https://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/ready.
2. Application fee: $100 for each form you submit (you may indicate two programs on each form), payable by credit card when you submit the form.
3. Transcripts: your complete record of study from each university-level institution you have attended to date. Uploaded copies will be considered as unofficial; final, official copies will be required once you are offered admission.
4. Reference letters: on the one-line application form, you must provide the names and email addresses of at least two professors who are familiar with your academic work. McGill will contact these referees and invite them to upload references on your behalf. Please note that although you can list public domain addresses such as Hotmail, Gmail, or Yahoo Mail on the application form, references uploaded from these addresses will not be accepted by the Department. Therefore you must list a valid institutional or corporate e-mail address for your referees.
5. Personal Statement: an essay which should describe your educational background and any research background; your educational and professional goals;your qualifications, qualities, or circumstances of significance; andyour reasons for having a strong interest in Otolaryngology.
6. Curriculum Vitae: an overview of your experience and other qualifications, including employment, academic credentials, publications, contributions, and significant achievements.
7. TOEFL/IELTS results: If required (https://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/requirements/proficiency) when registering for the test, please ensure that you request that results be sent directly to McGill University. McGill will then receive the results electronically, directly from the testing agency.

Application Status

Requirements for MSc in Otolaryngology

The M.Sc. program comprises a minimum of 45 credits as follows:

• Physiology, Histopathology and Clinical Otolaryngology 1 OTOL-602 - 3 credits
• Physiology, Histopathology and Clinical Otolaryngology 2 OTOL-612 - 3 credits
• Advanced Scientific Principles of Otolaryngology 1 OTOL-603 - 3 credits
• Advanced Scientific Principles of Otolaryngology 2 OTOL-613 - 3 credits
• Biostats for Health Science EPIB-507 - 3 credits (or equivalent)
• Thesis-1 OTOL-690 - 3 credits
• Thesis-2 OTOL-691 - 3 credits
• Thesis-3 OTOL-692 - 6 credits
• Thesis-4 OTOL-693 - 6 credits
• Thesis-5 OTOL-694 - 12 credits

When appropriate, courses OTOL-602, OTOL-612, OTOL-603 or OTOL-613 may be replaced by other basic-science or clinical (500-level or higher) courses of relevance to Otolaryngology, as recommended or approved by the Department. Students aiming to acquire an interdisciplinary background will be expected to take additional elective courses, at the undergraduate level, if necessary.

Graduate courses

• OTOL-602 PHYSIOLOGY, HISTOPATHOLOGY AND CLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY 1 (3 CREDITS)
  University and hospital rounds and seminars presenting various topics in Clinical Otolaryngology. (6 hrs/wk)
• OTOL-603 ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY 1 (3 credits)
  Lectures in advanced basic-science topics of relevance to the otolaryngologist. (1.5 hrs/wk)
• OTOL-612 PHYSIOLOGY, HISTOPATHOLOGY AND CLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY 2 (3 credits)
  University and hospital rounds and seminars presenting various additional topics in Clinical Otolaryngology. (6 hrs/wk)
• OTOL-613 ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY 2 (3 credits)
  Lectures in additional basic-science topics or relevance to the otolaryngologist. (1.5 hrs/wk)
• EPIB-507 BIOSTATS FOR HEALTH AND SCIENCES (3 credits)
  Introduction to basic principles of statistical inference. An equivalent course may be substituted, in consultation with the supervisor.
• OTOL-690 THESIS 1 (3 credits)
  A literature search and research proposal under supervision of the research supervisor that leads to a written proposal.
• OTOL-691 THESIS 2 (3 credits)
  Supervised training and research in connection with the Master's thesis.
• OTOL-692 THESIS 3 (6 credits)
  Independent research in connection with the Master's thesis.
• OTOL-693 THESIS 4 (6 credits)
  A seminar and written report to be presented to an ad hoc committee describing appropriate progress at the end of the first year of training.
• OTOL-694 THESIS 5 (12 credits)
  Independent study in connection with the Master's thesis. Presentation of results at a departmental seminar, or at a scientific meeting. Completion and final acceptance of the MSc thesis by the Department and Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Graduate Program Director

Administrative & Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC)

Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
MUHC (Royal Victoria Hospital)
1001 Decarie Blvd.
Montreal, QC H4A 3J1
Canada

Tel: 514-934-1934 ext.36386

Email: otl-gradadmin.med [at] mcgill.ca