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Language of Instruction
The language of instruction at McGill University is English. However, French is the official language in Quebec and thus health and social services administered by the Ministry of Health are bound by the Charter of the French Language. In order to provide essential and safe care to all patients within a Quebec-based healthcare setting, students must achieve an appropriate level of French before entering their respective health program’s clinical affiliations where they integrate their knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This will ensure all students have every opportunity to maximize their learning with all patients, families, and fellow health care workers they meet during their studies at McGill University.
Language proficiency requirements for professional OT and PT programs
French: The professional Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs at the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy include clinical education courses, or ‘stages’, which will be completed in a hospital, clinic, social service centre, or school setting where the ability to communicate proficiently in French is essential. Proficiency in French is necessary for students to work with and support patients, families, and team members effectively and safely, and for the successful completion of the professional OT and PT programs in the School of Physical & Occupational Therapy.
English: English language requirements may be found with the Undergraduate or Qualifying Year (QY) graduate admissions guidelines.
Criteria to meet French proficiency requirements for professional OT and PT programs:
If you answer 'yes' to at least one of the following questions you will be exempt from providing further proof of French proficiency. You must then upload a single page document which includes your full name, your McGill ID #, the question below to which you answered ‘yes’, and your signature. Do not attach other supporting documents unless specifically requested in your Minerva (undergraduate admissions) or Slate (QY admissions) checklist.
- Will you/have you completed both secondary school and CEGEP in Quebec?
- Will you/have you completed secondary school at an institution where French was the primary language of instruction?
- Will you/have you completed CEGEP in Quebec at a French-language institution?
- Will you/have you completed a pre-university diploma from a program where French was the primary language of instruction (e.g., Baccalauréat d'une académie de France, certificat d'enseignement secondaire supérieur de Belgique, Certificat de maturité de Suisse).
- Will you/have you completed at least 60 credits in an undergraduate program at a French-language university in Quebec?
- Will you/have you completed at least two consecutive years in a full-time undergraduate program whose primary language of instruction is French, at a university outside of Quebec?
If none of the above exemptions apply to you, you will need to submit the results for one of the approved certificates or tests listed below.
Acceptable means to demonstrate French proficiency
Students are expected to obtain a level of B2 or higher (level 6 on the Échelle Québecoise (EQ)) on any of the tests listed below. A copy of your results must be uploaded to your Minerva (undergraduate admissions) or Slate (QY admissions) file.
- Diplôme d'études en langue française/Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DELF/DALF) delf-dalf.ambafrance-ca.org/
- McGill Certificate of Proficiency in French (SCS) or French for Professional Communication (SCS) www.mcgill.ca/continuingstudies/area-of-study/languages
- TCF (Test de connaissance du français tout public) www.france-education-international.fr/tcf
- TCFQ: Test de connaissance du français pour le Québec www.france-education-international.fr/tcf-quebec
- TCF DAP: Test de connaissance du français (pour la demande d’admission préalable dans une université de France) www.france-education-international.fr/tcf-dap
- TEF (or eTEF): Test d’évaluation du français (pour les études en France) www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/tests-diplomas/test-for-evaluating-french-tef/
NOTE: All four mandatory examinations are required (Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Written Expression). - TEFaQ (or electronic version): Test d’évaluation du français pour l’accès au Québec www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/tests-diplomas/test-for-evaluating-french-tef/tef-quebec-tefaq/
- TEF Canada (or electronic version): Test d’évaluation du français Canada www.lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/tests-diplomas/test-for-evaluating-french-tef/tef-canada/
- McGill School of Continuing Studies (SCS): Online test with McGill’s School of Continuing Studies:
Part 1: Written assessment. Part 2: Communication Skills assessment.
https://continuingstudies.mcgill.ca/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=19191894 .