McGill Admissions
McGill, in Montreal, Quebec, is consistently ranked among Canada's top universities and draws applicants worldwide to programs in Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Arts. Here is how the admission process works and what it takes to be competitive.
OUAC handles applications for Ontario's 21 universities only. McGill is a Quebec university, so you apply directly through McGill's own portal. If you are also applying to Ontario schools, plan for two parallel processes with separate deadlines and document requirements. Our OUAC System Deep Dive covers the Ontario side of your application list.
Admission averages vary by faculty and change yearly. As a reference point, McGill's Computer Science program has seen competitive averages around 92%+, placing it among the most selective CS programs in Canada. For any program, treat the published average as a floor, not a target.
Make sure you also hold the right prerequisite courses for your intended faculty. The Academic Requirements Decoded chapter explains prerequisites, how averages are evaluated, and why grade trends and conditional offers matter.
Canadian universities evaluate IB, A-Levels, American GPA, and Caribbean CSEC/CAPE results through credential conversion frameworks, and McGill publishes its own policies by curriculum. You may also need proof of English proficiency and, after acceptance, a study permit.
See our International Student Guide for study permits, financial documentation, and English test comparisons, and the Caribbean Students: Special Pathways chapter for CSEC/CAPE equivalencies and regional scholarships.
McGill's CS program is known for research excellence and prestige, with a growing Montreal tech scene and lower tuition for Canadians compared to many peers. Co-op opportunities are more limited than at co-op-first schools, so weigh that against research strengths. Compare options in Computer Science Programs Compared. In engineering, McGill is frequently named among the strongest Canadian programs for mechanical and civil disciplines.
Desautels commerce offers the Montreal advantage: bilingual opportunities and a global focus. If business is your path, compare it against Ontario options in Business and Commerce Programs.
Connect with peer advisers who recently navigated Canadian admissions and can help you balance McGill with the rest of your university list.