About the B.Sc. / M.Sc. (Thesis) Track

If you are a strong undergraduate student who is interested in research and you would like to stay at McGill to do your M.Sc. degree, the B.Sc. / M.Sc. track may be the thing for you!

BSc-MSc applications open Feb 1 (Winter of U2) BSc-MSc applications close Dec 1 (Fall of U3). Start MSc Summer or Fall after U3. Submit MSc thesis as early as after 3 terms.

  • What: This track is an early-admission process that allows strong McGill undergraduates to move directly into a M.Sc. or M.A. program offered by a department in the Faculty of Science after completing their B.Sc.
  • Why: Undergraduates in this track can customize their U3 year with more advanced studies, can start their Master’s degree one semester sooner, and will be well prepared for research at the graduate studies level.
  • When: Students will normally apply during the second term of their U2 undergraduate year and will normally start their Master’s program in the summer following their U3 studies.
  • How: Each department has its own criteria for admission, but in all cases the student should have a CGPA of at least 3.3. Higher CGPAs and/or other requirements are usually required. Students should talk with their departmental advisors to determine if they qualify before making an official application.

What are the advantages of the B.Sc. / M.Sc. (Thesis) Track?

Undergraduates in this track will have the opportunity to tailor their U3 year program – for example, taking higher-level courses and/or research courses – to ensure that they are well prepared for their M.Sc./M.A. studies and ready to focus on their research.

You could complete your Master’s degree sooner because of the option to start your Master’s one term earlier, in the Summer term following U3 instead of the Fall. Combine this with the option to submit your Master’s thesis as early as after 3 terms, and you could save even more time!

The B.Sc. / M.Sc. (Thesis) Track offers you an earlier admissions decision. This lets you plan your graduate studies earlier, leaving you one less thing to worry about in U3.

Who can apply?

Any U2 McGill B.Sc. student meeting the CGPA and their departmental requirements may apply, from February 1 of U2 until December 1 of U3.

What are the admissions criteria?

Each department has set its own admission criteria, but in all cases you must have a CGPA of 3.3 or higher. Departments can, of course, set stronger criteria.

For which term should I apply?

You will apply to start in the summer following your U3 year, even if you might want to defer your start to the fall. This is because it is possible to move an admission decision forward, but not backward.

How do I apply?

Your first step is to apply through your department of interest to obtain pre-acceptance. Items to be included in your application include:

  1. Unofficial transcript,
  2. Letter of intent that includes strong evidence of research potential (generally through undergraduate research experience),
  3. Letter of reference from your proposed supervisor in a Faculty of Science department that includes confirmation of their willingness to supervise during your M.Sc. or M.A., and
  4. Any departmental-specific requirements.

Once approved by your department, they will open a special Summer Term application for you on the uApply McGill Graduate Admissions System.

Is it different from a normal grad application?

It is effectively the same application form, but the summer term admission is normally not available for Faculty of Science graduate programs, so the term will need to be opened for you.

What about Master's degree in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences?

These deadlines and processes only apply to departments in the Faculty of Science. For Master's degrees in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, please consult individual departments' webpages.

I have more questions. Whom can I ask?

Please contact the graduate program coordinator in the Science unit (department or school) where you would like to apply.

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