Logo of McGill University

McGill University

Montréal, Canada • Founded 1821 • QS 2027 #30

Updated Sep 2026

Overview

Founded: 1821
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Rankings:
QS World University Rankings 2027 #30 Times Higher Education 2026 #41 = ARWU (Shanghai) 2026 #73 CWTS Leiden 2025 #175 SCImago 2026 #73
Motto: Grandescunt aucta labore
Colours: Red and white
Mascot: Marty the Martlet
Around McGill University campus
1 / 2

McGill University is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, operating under a royal charter granted in 1821.

Its main campus sits at the foot of Mount Royal in downtown Montreal; a second campus, Macdonald Campus, is in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue at the western end of the Island of Montreal and houses agricultural, environmental and food science teaching, while the Gault Nature Reserve at Mont-Saint-Hilaire serves as a field research station. Teaching is organised into 11 faculties together with 15 schools and other academic units, among them the Desautels Faculty of Management, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Schulich School of Music and the Ingram School of Nursing.

Enrolment in Fall 2025 was 40,531, comprising 28,167 undergraduate and 10,196 graduate students alongside 649 postdoctoral scholars and 1,519 medical residents and fellows. International students made up 29.5 percent of degree-seeking enrolment in 2023-24.

Because Quebec has a two-year pre-university CEGEP system, applicants holding a Quebec DEC normally enter directly into a three-year bachelor's programme, while applicants from outside Quebec are usually admitted with an additional Freshman year.

Tuition is set within a provincial framework: Quebec residents, Canadian students from other provinces and international students each pay different per-credit rates, and international undergraduates admitted from Fall 2026 receive a guaranteed per-credit tuition rate for the duration of their programme. The university reports more than 325,000 alumni living in over 185 countries.

Location & Contact

McGill University's campus location, postal address, and the channels students typically use to reach the admissions team. Verified contact points help avoid third-party impersonators.

Address: 845 Sherbrooke Street West
Postal Code: H3A 0G4
Phone: +1 (514) 369 1342
Fax: +1 (514) 369 1342
Social Media:

Academic Details

McGill University at the institutional level: enrolment, staffing, and accreditation summary. Accreditation has expiry and renewal cycles worth checking on the awarding body site for currency.

Academic Year: Fall term September–December and Winter term January–April, plus an optional Summer term
Recognition: Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, Québec
Admission Requirements: Quebec applicants normally apply with a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) from a CEGEP and are admitted directly into a three-year bachelor's programme; specific CEGEP prerequisite courses are required for Science, Engineering, Management, Nursing and the health programmes. Canadian applicants from other provinces apply on their senior secondary record — Ontario applicants, for example, are assessed on the average of their 'Top 6' 4U/4M courses, with at least four of the six and all prerequisites at the 4U level. International applicants are assessed by educational background — U.S. high school, International Baccalaureate, British-pattern and other international systems — and applicants from outside Quebec are normally admitted with an additional Freshman (U0) year, making the degree four years rather than three. Admission is by academic record only for most programmes, and meeting the published minimum grades does not guarantee admission; Architecture, Nursing, Music and the health professions carry additional programme-specific application requirements. Proof of English proficiency is required unless an exemption applies (e.g. IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90 for most programmes, Duolingo 125, PTE Academic 65), and proof of French proficiency is required for the BSc Nursing.
Total Students: 40,531
Academic Staff Range: 2,500-2,999
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Universities Canada (UC) Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Association of American Universities (AAU) U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (U15) Universitas 21 (U21) Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate (CUSID) University of the Arctic (UArctic) Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec (CREPUQ) United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Universities Research Association (URA)

Academic Structures

McGill University's academic backbone. Endowed schools (named after donors) may differ from general units in funding levels, scholarships available, and curriculum focus.

Unit 15 items
  • Desautels Faculty of Management
  • Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
  • Faculty of Arts
  • Faculty of Dentistry
  • Faculty of Education
  • Faculty of Engineering
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Religious Studies
  • Faculty of Science
  • Ingram School of Nursing
  • School of Computer Science
  • School of Continuing Studies
  • School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
  • Schulich School of Music

Programs Offered

Every programme McGill University currently runs, grouped by degree level and searchable. Status and intake details vary by programme — verify with the institution before committing to applications.

323 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada

Bachelor's Degree 123 programmes

Showing 10 of 123.

Honours Degree 8 programmes

Master of Business Administration 3 programmes

Master's Degree 101 programmes

Showing 10 of 101.

Doctorate 52 programmes

Showing 10 of 52.

Diploma 1 programme

Postgraduate Certificate 25 programmes

Showing 10 of 25.

Postgraduate Diploma 10 programmes

Scholarships in Canada

The scholarships below are available to higher-education students studying in Canada. Living costs versus tuition-only awards differ significantly; clarify what each award actually covers before budgeting.

How to apply to McGill University

Application guidance for McGill University, structured as five practical steps with attention to documents and admissions communication.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. McGill University runs 323 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Before applying to McGill University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Canada.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with McGill University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Lodge your application through the official website (www.mcgill.ca). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (514) 369 1342. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about McGill University

Common questions students ask about McGill University — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.

How old is McGill University?

The institution opened in 1821 (approximately 205 years ago).

Where can I find McGill University?

The institution is located in Montréal, Canada.

What is McGill University's control type?

McGill University operates as a public institution.

How many students does McGill University have?

The institution has a student body of 40,531.

What is McGill University's ranking?

It ranks QS 2027 #30.

How many faculties does McGill University have?

McGill University has 15 academic units.

Is McGill University accredited?

The institution holds recognition from Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, Québec.

How do I find McGill University online?

You can find McGill University online at www.mcgill.ca.

Members of Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)

These universities are also members of Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).

Faculties at nearby universities

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