About the university
McGill University was founded in 1821 using a bequest from James McGill, a Scottish-born Montreal merchant. It is one of Canada's oldest universities and consistently its top-ranked in the QS World University Rankings. McGill is strong in medicine, life sciences, engineering, law and management, and its graduates include Nobel laureates and many Canadian leaders.
The downtown campus sits at the foot of Mount Royal in the middle of Montreal, a bilingual city where most daily life is in French but McGill teaches in English. Montreal is cheaper to live in than Toronto or Vancouver and is known for its festivals, food and student culture. The Macdonald Campus on the western tip of the island hosts agriculture, food and environmental sciences.
For Indian students, the most popular choices are the Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science (in the Faculty of Science), the Bachelor of Commerce at the Desautels Faculty of Management and the Master of Management in Analytics. International tuition is set by McGill and differs widely by faculty: in 2026-27, new international students pay CAD 54,000 in Arts, about CAD 64,800 in Science, about CAD 65,200 in Engineering and about CAD 71,700 in Commerce for 30 credits.
Because McGill is in Quebec, international students need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Quebec government before applying for a Canadian study permit. This adds a step and some time to your visa plan, so apply early once you have your offer. Learning some French helps with part-time jobs and life in the city, though it is not needed for your studies.
- Founded
- 1821 by royal charter, from the bequest of Montreal merchant James McGill
- Type
- Public research university, member of the U15; teaching is in English
- Campuses
- Downtown Montreal and the Macdonald Campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (agriculture and environment)
- Main intake
- September; most undergraduate deadlines for international applicants are on 15 January
- Fees for international students
- Set by McGill (deregulated) and vary by faculty; Commerce costs more than Arts
- Province
- Quebec: you need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for a study permit
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
30 in the world, 1st in Canada
THE World University Rankings 2027
43 in the world, 2nd in Canada
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Engineering (Software, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and others)
- Fee / year
- C$65,168
- Duration
- 4 years (3.5 if you enter with advanced standing; co-op in some programmes)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 15 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in each section)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
- Fee / year
- C$64,786
- Duration
- 4 years (3 with advanced standing)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 15 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in each section)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Commerce (Desautels Faculty of Management)
- Fee / year
- C$71,687
- Duration
- 4 years (3 with advanced standing)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 15 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in each section)
- Postgraduate
Master of Management in Analytics (in person)
- Fee / year
- C$79,020
- Duration
- 12 or 16 months (full time)
- Intakes
- July 2027 (first deadline 15 November 2026)
- English
- McGill graduate standard (IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 86 minimum; check the MMA admissions page)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Fee / year
- C$81,375
- Duration
- Up to 16 months
- Intakes
- August 2027
- English
- McGill graduate standard; check the MBA admissions page
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science (Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience and other life sciences)
- Fee / year
- C$64,786
- Duration
- 4 years (3 with advanced standing)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 15 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in each section)
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics
- Fee / year
- C$64,786
- Duration
- 4 years (3 with advanced standing)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 15 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in each section)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- C$54,000
- Duration
- 4 years (3 with advanced standing)
- Intakes
- September (apply by 15 January)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in each section)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (CAD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Engineering (Software, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and others) | 4 years (3.5 if you enter with advanced standing; co-op in some programmes) | C$65,168 | ≈ ₹43.7 lakh |
| Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | 4 years (3 with advanced standing) | C$64,786 | ≈ ₹43.4 lakh |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Desautels Faculty of Management) | 4 years (3 with advanced standing) | C$71,687 | ≈ ₹48 lakh |
| Master of Management in Analytics (in person) | 12 or 16 months (full time) | C$79,020 | ≈ ₹52.9 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Up to 16 months | C$81,375 | ≈ ₹54.5 lakh |
| Bachelor of Science (Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience and other life sciences) | 4 years (3 with advanced standing) | C$64,786 | ≈ ₹43.4 lakh |
| Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics | 4 years (3 with advanced standing) | C$64,786 | ≈ ₹43.4 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts in Economics | 4 years (3 with advanced standing) | C$54,000 | ≈ ₹36.2 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at McGill University with similar universities in Canada.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate, entering from secondary school
McGill Entrance Scholarships (one-year and Major renewable awards)
Value: One-year awards and renewable Major Entrance Scholarships; values set each year
Eligibility: Students with outstanding academic results and leadership, including international students. Major (renewable) scholarships need a separate application by McGill's deadline, usually in early December for September entry.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master of Management in Analytics
Desautels MMA merit entrance scholarships
Value: Amount varies; paid in two instalments (September and January)
Eligibility: All admitted MMA students are considered automatically; no separate application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - MBA
Desautels MBA scholarships and awards
Value: Merit-based; amount set each year
Eligibility: Admitted MBA candidates are considered; check the MBA tuition and funding page for international eligibility.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Class 12 from CBSE, CISCE (ISC) or a state board, with the prerequisite subjects for your programme (Mathematics for Science, Engineering and Commerce; Physics and Chemistry for Engineering).
- McGill looks mainly at your academic results; admission is competitive and cut-offs change each year.
- Apply online through McGill's application (Minerva). The deadline for international applicants for September 2027 is 15 January 2027; supporting documents follow shortly after.
- After admission you need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and then a Canadian study permit.
Postgraduate
- A four-year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with at least a 3.0/4.0 GPA (roughly first-class standing in India) is McGill's general graduate minimum; programmes may ask for more.
- The MMA asks for a strong quantitative background; the MBA asks for work experience and GMAT/GRE (or a waiver).
- Thesis master's degrees usually need a supervisor who agrees to take you.
- Deadlines vary: the MMA's first round closes on 15 November 2026 for July 2027 entry.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (undergraduate)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (postgraduate)
- English test score unless exempt
- Statement of purpose, CV and references (graduate)
- GMAT/GRE scores where required (MBA)
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) after admission
- Proof of funds for the CAQ and study permit
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (undergraduate) | 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. |
| TOEFL iBT (undergraduate) | 90 overall with at least 21 in each section. |
| Graduate programmes | McGill's minimum is IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 86; many departments and Desautels programmes ask for more. |
| Exemption | McGill lists exemptions, for example for students who studied for several years in English-medium schools; check whether yours qualifies. |
Accommodation and living costs
McGill offers first-year students a place in residence if they apply by the residence deadline. Most first-year residences are close to the downtown campus; some include a mandatory meal plan. Montreal rents are lower than in Toronto or Vancouver, and many upper-year students rent apartments in the Plateau or Milton-Parc. Check McGill Student Housing for the current year's rates.
| Item | In CAD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| International health insurance (mandatory)Included in McGill's 2026-27 total fees for international students | C$1,212per year | ≈ ₹81,204 |
| Other compulsory fees on top of tuition (BEng example)2026-27: $69,267 total minus $65,168 tuition, including insurance | C$4,100per year | ≈ ₹2.7 lakh |
| MBA international study tripExcludes airfare | C$3,000one-off | ≈ ₹2 lakh |
Campus and location
The downtown campus is in the heart of Montreal, at the foot of Mount Royal, with metro stations nearby. Montreal is Canada's second-largest city, bilingual, and has cold, snowy winters.
- Historic stone buildings sit beside modern labs; the Roddick Gates mark the main entrance on Sherbrooke Street.
- The Macdonald Campus, about 35 km west, has farms, an arboretum and its own residences.
- Montreal is a hub for artificial intelligence research (Mila is based in the city) and for aerospace and gaming.
- The metro and bus system (STM) offers reduced-fare student passes.
- French is the language of daily life in Quebec; free and paid French courses help with jobs and settling in.
Careers and graduate outcomes
McGill graduates of degree programmes can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Quebec also runs its own immigration programmes, which often require French. University degrees are exempt from IRCC's field-of-study list for the PGWP, but the language test rule applies.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Off-campus work allowed during term | Up to 24 hours a week | IRCC |
| PGWP length after a master's of at least 8 months | Up to 3 years | IRCC |
| PGWP language requirement for university graduates | CLB 7 in all four skills | IRCC |
| Extra document before the study permit | Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) | Government of Quebec |
Studying in Canada
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Canada. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does McGill cost for an Indian student?
For new international students in 2026-27, tuition for 30 credits is CAD 54,000 in Arts, about CAD 64,800 in Science, about CAD 65,200 in Engineering and about CAD 71,700 in Commerce. Compulsory fees and international health insurance add roughly CAD 3,600–4,100 a year.
Do I need French to study at McGill?
No. McGill teaches in English. French is useful for part-time jobs and daily life in Montreal and for some Quebec immigration programmes.
What is a CAQ?
The Quebec Acceptance Certificate is a document from the Quebec government that every international student needs before applying for a Canadian study permit to study in Quebec. Apply for it as soon as you accept your McGill offer.
Is Computer Science in Science or Engineering?
McGill's Computer Science degrees are mainly in the Faculty of Science (BSc), with Software Engineering offered as a BEng in the Faculty of Engineering. Fees follow the faculty.
When is the deadline for September 2027?
15 January 2027 for most undergraduate programmes for international applicants. Graduate deadlines vary; the MMA's first round closed on 15 November 2026.
Sources
- McGill Student Accounts: Bachelor of Engineering fees, international, 2026-27 (opens in a new tab)
- McGill Student Accounts: Bachelor of Science fees, international, 2026-27 (opens in a new tab)
- McGill Student Accounts: Bachelor of Commerce fees, international, 2026-27 (opens in a new tab)
- McGill Student Accounts: Bachelor of Arts fees, international, 2026-27 (opens in a new tab)
- McGill Student Accounts: Master of Management in Analytics fees (opens in a new tab)
- McGill Desautels: MMA tuition and financial aid (opens in a new tab)
- McGill Desautels: MBA tuition (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027 (Canada results, Academica summary) (opens in a new tab)
- McGill: McGill remains Canada's top university in the 2027 QS World University Rankings (opens in a new tab)
- Government of Quebec: Quebec Acceptance Certificate for studies (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: Post-Graduation Work Permit (opens in a new tab)
- IRCC: work off campus as a student (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.mcgill.ca (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details