McGill University is one of the most reputed higher education institutes and the 7th oldest university in Canada. The university houses 39,267 students with 68% pursuing undergraduate programs and 32% studying graduate programs. Right now, 31.8% students at McGill University are international students representing 150 countries.
The university boasts an undergraduate acceptance rate of 38% and 29.2% for graduates, indicating a moderately competitive admision policy. McGill University offers admission to nearly 500 undergraduate programs and 93 graduate and doctoral programs to the international students. Programs at McGill University are offered in English through 11 faculties and 11 schools, all of them spanning across 300 buildings.
McGill University Rankings
McGill University is a leading public university that has secured its position among the top institutions in the world. The QS World University Rankings 2023 have ranked it at #31, demonstrating its high standard of academic excellence and innovation. The institute was also honored at the top in the departments of Scholarships & Bursaries, Student Awards, and Social Science & Humanities grants by similar survey rankings. Some of the top rankings of McGill University are as follows:
Ranking Agency |
Ranking 2023 |
QS World University Rankings |
#31 |
Best Global Universities US News |
#54 |
World University Rankings THE |
#46 |
Best Global Universities in Canada, US News |
#3 |
McGill University Ranking Comparison
According to Maclean University Rankings, the university is placed in 1st position among the medical-doctoral universities of Canada for 15 consecutive years. McGill Universiy has ranked among the top 5 in all the categories- Engineering (#3), Business (#3), Computer Science (#4), Nursing (#4), Education (#4). Some of the subject-specific ranking comparison of McGill University with some of the top universities in Canada according to U.S. News and World Report, 2022 are as follows:
Subject |
McGill University |
University of Toronto |
The University of British Columbia
|
Chemistry |
#131 |
#37 |
#168 |
Computer Science |
#120 |
#37 |
#52 |
Oncology |
#51 |
#5 |
#73 |
Physics |
#125 |
#31 |
#75 |
Space Science |
#68 |
#14 |
#53 |
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McGill University Cost of Attendance
It is mandatory that every aspirant seeking admission at a particular institute be aware of pre and post-admission expenses like McGill University fees and other costs. The estimated cost of living in Canada for an academic year at the university in question is as described below:
McGill University Program Tuition Fee
McGill University is organized into 11 main faculties plus schools offering more than 400 programs in over 80 departments. McGill University’s MBA and LLM programs are some unparalleled courses popular not only in Canada but all over the world.
Cost of Living in Canada
The cost of living in Canada for McGill University students will depend on a variety of factors, including their accommodation, food, transportation, and personal expenses. Here's a breakdown of the estimated costs of living for students at McGill University:
Expense |
Cost of Living in Canada in CAD |
Cost of Living in Canada in INR |
Books and Material (yearly) |
Up to 1,665 |
Up to 1 lakh |
Health Insurance (monthly) |
550- 915 |
33,000 to 55,000 |
Food (monthly) |
250 |
15,000 |
Transport (monthly) |
30- 65 |
2,000-4,000 |
Entertainment (monthly) |
135 |
8,000 |
Phone & Internet (monthly) |
30 |
2,000 |
McGill University Campus
McGill University is located in the heart of downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The campus covers an area of 32 hectares and is home to over 30 buildings, including a mix of historic and modern architecture. The campus is located in the heart of downtown Montreal, providing easy access to the city's many attractions and cultural offerings.
- The McGill Library system is one of the largest in Canada, with over 6 million volumes across 13 branches.
- The largest and most iconic library on campus is the McLennan-Redpath Library, which offers a wide range of study spaces, resources, and services for students.
- The McGill campus offers a variety of spaces for students to socialize, study, and relax. This includes the University Centre known as the "SSMU" building.
- The McGill campus is home to several museums and galleries, including the Redpath Museum of Natural History, the McGill Visual Arts Collection, and the McGill University Health Centre Art Collection.
McGill University Accommodations
McGill University offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit the diverse needs and preferences of its students, both on-campus and off-campus. The university provides a range of services and support for students living in accommodation, including residence life staff, peer support groups, and counseling services.
On-Campus Accommodation
University’s residence system houses more than 3,100 students. Residences are available in apartment-style, dormitory, and hotel-style. Students can also choose from First people’s house or hyper sustainable Eco-Residence that welcomes both undergraduate and graduate students. The cost of living on campus is tabulated below:
Campus |
Annual Cost in CAD |
Annual Cost in INR |
Royal Victoria College |
16,719- 18,457 |
10.32 lakhs- 11.42 lakhs |
Upper Residences |
16,523- 18,900 |
10.18 lakhs to 11.67 lakhs |
New Residence Hall |
18,045- 19,707 |
11.14 lakhs to 12.17 lakhs |
La Citadelle |
17,973- 19,798 |
11.10 lakhs- 12.22 lakhs |
Carrefour Sherbrooke |
17,004- 18,761 |
10.50 lakhs- 11.59 lakhs |
Solin Hall |
9,454- 12,363 |
5.83 lakhs- 7.64 lakhs |
Off-Campus Accommodation
McGill's Off-Campus Housing website provides information and resources for finding off-campus housing, including listings, rental guides, and information on neighborhoods and local resources. The institute provides its candidates with the option of off-campus housing, available at low rent prices and multiple facilities.
Room Type |
Cost in CAD/Month |
Cost in INR/Month |
Shared Room |
900- 2,400 |
55 thousand- 1.48 lakhs |
Private Room |
670- 2,500 |
41 thousand- 1.54 lakhs |
Entire Place |
1,380- 2,000 |
85 thousand- 1.23 lakhs |
McGill University Scholarships
The organization is committed to offering quality education to all and thus offers various need-based and merit-based scholarships at McGill University to its aspirants. International students can apply at the university and avail the aid offered in the form of scholarships, work-study and various other funding.
McGill University Entrance Scholarships
Available to first-time students enrolling in full-time four-year undergraduate programs. These scholarships are centrally-funded by the university.
Scholarship-Type |
Renewability |
Amount (in INR) |
One-year scholarships |
Non-renewable |
1.79 lakhs |
Major scholarships |
Renewed annually for a period of up to four years provided that all the criteria are met |
1.79 to 7.16 lakhs |
PBEEE-Quebec Merit Scholarship for Foreign Students: Available to graduate and postdoctoral international students of outstanding merit which can only be availed by students who have not applied for permanent residency.
Check: Scholarships for International Students in Canada
McGill University Work-Study Program
International students having financial issues can apply for the work-study program of the university which allows them to work for up to 20 hours a week on and off-campus. Firstly, students have to submit an application to McGill University’s work-study team with all the necessary documents. Accepted students are eligible to apply for jobs posted on the university’s website. Further selection and pay depend upon the organization to which you applied for.
Eligibility
- Demonstrated financial need
- Enrolled in a full-time degree program
- Good academic record
- Must have applied for a government aid
Funding for on-campus work-study jobs in McGill University is received from the following sources:
- University Budget
- Ministry of Education of Canada
- Arts Undergraduate Society
- Science Undergraduate Society
- University’s Alumni Association.
McGill University Alumni
McGill University has more than 300,000 alumni, based in 185 countries across the world. The McGill alumni benefits include networking, career connections, educational travel programs, and group rates with alumni partners. Every year University Advancement organizes numerous events in partnerships with dedicated volunteers and graduates of the university.
McGill University Notable Alumni
Alumni Name |
Profession |
Achievement |
Justin Trudeau |
Politician |
Current Prime Minister of Canada |
Leonard Cohen |
Singer-songwriter, poet, novelist |
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Order of Canada recipient |
Burt Bacharach |
Composer, songwriter, record producer |
Grammy Award winner, Academy Award winner |
William Shatner |
Actor, author, producer |
Iconic role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, Emmy Award winner |
Mia Kirshner |
Actress, writer |
Starred in TV shows such as The L Word and 24 |
McGill University Placements
The university has a Career Planning Service (CAPS) team which helps students in building a CV and finding a suitable job whether it is after completion of a degree, summer job, part-time job, or internship. However, international students must have a Canadian work-permit to do any kind of job in this country. Application for this permit should be submitted at least 6 months before you are planning to apply for a job.
The top employers at the institute comprise some great names in the industry like JPMorgan Chase and Co, National Bank of Canada, Sustainalytics, Grasshopper Energy, among others. Students of this university employed in financial services or executive management roles are paid more than any of those employed in any other field.
Source:https://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/programs/mba-programs/mba/career/employment-stats
McGill University MBA Placement
94% of McGill MBA graduates secured placement within 3 months of graduation in 2022. Graduates earn a mean base salary of 102,466 CAD per annum with a signing bonus of 12,692 CAD. The top industries employing McGill University MBA graduates are listed below:
Source:https://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/programs/mba-programs/mba/career/employment-stats
McGill University is considered among some of the best in the world for a reason and lives up to its reputation in every possible way. Committed to foster the best, the university clarifies from the start that it is no place for slackers and guarantees reward for every exceptional effort made.
While nothing is served to the students on a platter, the institute, however, ensures its candidates are independent and well prepared to navigate their way into the system. If you take pride in your diligence and dedicated attitude and believe that you have got what it takes, then McGill lies ahead of you.
FAQs
Ques. Can I get into McGill University with a GPA of 3.0?
Ans. Yes. The minimum GPA required for admission in most of the programs of McGill University is 3.0 on a 5.0 scale which is approximately equivalent to 60%. Some programs like MBA and Masters in Computer Science require a 3.2 GPA as minimum qualifying criteria.
Ques. What program is McGill University known for?
Ans. McGill University ranks among the top 50 universities of the world by various agencies. Hence, all of its programs are well-known and very competitive to get into. However, its medicine, minerals & mining engineering, anatomy and physiology programs are quite popular among students.
Ques. When can you apply for McGill University? Does it accept late applications?
Ans. Applications for admission at McGill University have most deadlines in January. Applications are also accepted in March, May November, and December depending upon the program. McGill is very strict about its deadlines and gives preference to early applications.
Ques. How do McGill University select students for admissions?
Ans. McGill first goes through the basic documents submitted by the student and then goes on to the CV of candidates meeting the basic eligibility. Out of the ones with an interesting resume, some candidates are called for an interview which is the final process of admissions at the university.
Ques. Can I change my program once the application to McGill University has been submitted?
Ans. No, you cannot change the program after the form has been submitted. If you still want to apply for another program, send a separate fresh application before the admission deadlines.
Ques. Should documents be uploaded or sent via mail to McGill University?
Ans. While some documents need to be uploaded, others like official transcripts must be sent via mail. Students must also upload their unofficial transcripts in order to complete their application in case the mail is delayed.
Ques. Can I defer my tuition fee at McGill University if I am unable to pay the full amount?
Ans. International students can defer 50% of their tuition fee due to financial crises but only up to one month from the last date of submission of fee in the term, they are applying to.
Ques. How can I receive a receipt of payment of my tuition fee?
Ans. International students can pay their fees by Western Union GlobalPay for Students or CIBC International Student Pay. Once the payment is successfully received, you can take your account’s summary print from Minerva (Medical student portal of McGill).
Ques. What can I do if I am unable to take the English proficiency test due to COVID-19?
Ans. In light of current pandemic, the university has made arrangements of taking an online IELTS/TOEFL test for applicants who cannot take a test at the test center.