McGill University Acceptance Rate 2025 | Admission, Tuition, Ranking

McGill University is one of the top research institutions in Montreal, and we will be discussing all you need to know about the McGill University acceptance rate and admission process here.

McGill University is among the earliest institutions in North America. Established in the 1800s, the university has a history of over 200 years of providing education to the population of Montreal and beyond.

Since its inception, McGill University has established itself as one of the premier research institutions in the province of Quebec, offering undergraduate majors and graduate degree programs in a wide range of academic disciplines.

As a renowned institution with extensive global recognition, McGill attracts thousands of high school students and graduate students from across Canada, the neighbouring United States, and other countries.

If you intend to secure a spot at McGill in the following admission process, you should know the university’s acceptance rate and application procedure.

The information you will find in this article will explain the admission process and acceptance rate at McGill University. If you are an international student with aspirations to attend McGill University, we urge you to read this article till the end to discover important admission information.

About McGill University

The establishment of McGill University dates back to the early 19th century. McGill University was founded by royal charter in 1821, initially as the College of McGill. In 1885, McGill College was officially renamed McGill University to mark a new beginning for the institution.

Located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, McGill University is one of only two universities outside the United States to become a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.

McGill University’s main campus is situated in downtown Montreal, with additional campuses in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and Gatineau.

The overall enrollment at McGill comprises over 39,000 undergraduate and graduate students. McGill University offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields of study.

Also Read: English Universities In Montreal Canada and details about them

Schools at McGill University

McGill University offers a variety of degree programs through ten schools.

They include the Bieler School of Environment, the School of Architecture, the School of Communication Science and Disorders, the School of Computer Science, the School of Human Nutrition, the School of Information Studies, the School of Religious Studies, the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, the School of Social Work, and the School of Urban Planning.

McGill University Ranking

The latest ranking by U.S. News and World Report places McGill in the 53rd position as the best global university and 3rd in best international universities in Canada.

Campus Life at McGill University

McGill University has a diverse community on campus and provides the necessary resources to support its students.

McGill offers several housing options for students, with additional residential halls to accommodate over 3,000 students entering the McGill community each year.

If you are concerned about dining halls on campus, McGill has you covered with freshly prepared, nutritious, and healthy meals served across five residential halls.

With McGill OneCard, you can transact and pay for your beverages, food, and laundry services.

The university also prioritizes the safety, health and well-being of everyone on campus. It provides programs and services to assist students academically, financially, physically, spiritually and mentally.

Admissions at McGill University

McGill University uses a holistic approach to review every application. McGill considers several factors when evaluating an application.

First, the admission committee at McGill University will look at your academic performance in high school and the rigour of your school curriculum. If your academic performance in high school satisfies the requirements for admission to McGill University, then you are one step ahead of other applicants.

Besides your good grades and high test scores, the admission committee at McGill University is also interested in the achievements and experiences acquired outside the classroom.

McGill admission committee wants to know more about you.

The acceptance rate at McGill University is selective, and there are thousands of applicants vying for the same spot as you. 

To be competitive for admission to McGill, your excellent academic record from high school may not be enough.

Show admissions that you are a worthy candidate with not just an excellent academic record, but a student who will contribute positively to the community on campus. A good letter of recommendation from a core academic subject teacher or school counsellor will also increase your chances of admission to McGill University.

What Is the GPA Requirement at McGill University?

High school GPAs are the essential factors considered during admission. Most students are denied admission into their desired college or university due to low GPAs.

From what we know so far, McGill University requires that all first-year applicants present an average high school GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0.

Having the best high school GPA makes you more competitive for admission. You can get into selective majors offered at McGill University with a higher GPA.

Also Read: Top Tips for First-Year Students!

The Acceptance Rate at McGill University

McGill University has been the destination of thousands of students across Canada and other countries. International students come to McGill from over 100 countries.

To understand the selectivity at McGill University in terms of acceptance rate, let us look at previous admission cycles.

Three years ago, McGill University admitted 15,323 out of 34,047 applicants who applied for a spot in the next graduating class. A year before the last admission at McGill University, the acceptance rate was 49% after 17,358 students got admitted out of 35,505 applicants.

In the last admission process at McGill, the university admitted 16,955 students from an applicant pool of 44,534. The acceptance rate at McGill University dropped to 38%, which is quite selective. Out of the 16,955 admitted students, only 6,351 students enrolled at McGill University.

First-Year Application Process

McGill will admit students who are eligible for first-year admission and meet its admission requirement.

So who is eligible for first-year admission at McGill University?

You are eligible for first-year admission at McGill University if you have graduated from high school and earned a diploma. If you have enrolled in any college or university, you will not be eligible to apply as a first-year applicant. 

How to Apply to McGill as a First-Year Student

Applying to McGill University follows a sequential process. Before you start the application, make sure you have the necessary application materials and follow these steps to apply.

Step 1. Know Your Specific Deadline

The first step in the application process is knowing your deadline. Before you begin the application, ensure you know your application deadline. At McGill, the deadline dates are different based on your educational background, the programs you are applying to, and the location of your secondary/high school.

There is a dropdown menu on the McGill official website where you can select your educational background to find out your specific deadline.

Step 2. Select Your Desired Program

McGill University offers over 300 undergraduate degree programs. To find your desired program, use the McGill program finder to locate the program you intend to study at the university.

Step 3. Ensure You Are Eligible

McGill University has an entrance requirement that all applicants are expected to meet. Ensure you review the prerequisites and cut-off scores for your desired academic program. Bear in mind that McGill admission cut-off scores can change from year to year.

Step 4. Prepare to Apply

Before you get to this part of the application, you must have verified your eligibility. In this section of the application, you will need to review essential deadlines and verify if any supporting documents are required.

Step 5. Submit Your Application

The next step in the process is to complete and submit your application. Please do not use a smartphone to complete your application rather, complete your application on a computer.

Once you have selected your desired program and clicked on the “Continue” button, you will be unable to make any changes. Ensure you select your preferred program and review the application for errors before clicking the “Continue” button.

Step 6. Apply for the Entrance Scholarship

McGill University offers two types of scholarships to first-year students enrolled in a full-time degree program. The scholarships provided by McGill include a merit-based Entrance Scholarship Program and a needs-based Entrance Bursary Program.

Show your interest in any of these scholarships early, as their deadlines are a week apart from your application deadline.

Step 7. Submit Document and Follow Up

McGill University will communicate with you through email whenever they want you to upload any supporting materials/documents.

Also Read: 12 Medical School Scholarships for International Students In Canada

McGill University Admission Requirement for U.S Students

High schoolers from the United States applying to McGill University are expected to meet the university’s admission requirements.

High Schoolers from the United States

As an American citizen applying to McGill for first-year admission, you must have graduated from high school and obtained a diploma from an accredited academic program.

McGill will consider your academic records from 10th grade through 12th grade. McGill will also review your academic performance in high school courses relative to the program you intend to study.

High school students from the United States are expected to submit SAT or ACT scores. Although McGill University is test-optional, students are still encouraged to self-report their scores. 

Please note that if you are applying to Music at McGill, you must submit an SAT or ACT score.

What Is the Acceptance Rate for U.S. Students at McGill University?

Students from the United States make up 7.5% of the total enrolment at McGill University. Thousands of American students are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at McGill.

The acceptance rate for U.S. students at McGill University is estimated at 52%.

McGill University Admission Requirements for International Students at McGill

As an international student seeking admission into McGill, you must have graduated from secondary/high school and earned a certificate appropriate for university admission in your home country.

If your secondary/high school certificate is issued in a different language, you will have to provide a certified English/French translated version.

International students from countries where English is not an official language must demonstrate proficiency in English.

McGill will accept these English proficiency exam scores.

• TOEFL
• IELTS: minimum score of 6.0 or higher
• PTE: minimum score of 65 or higher
• Duolingo: minimum score of 115 or higher
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: minimum grade B
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency: minimum grade C
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment: minimum score of 70 or higher

Also Read: List of Tuition Free Universities in Canada for International Students

What Is the Acceptance Rate for International Students at McGill University?

The acceptance rate for international students at McGill University is approximately 46%. International students are currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs at McGill.

Important Dates at McGill University

McGill’s application deadline varies based on an applicant’s educational background and institution location. If you want to find out the deadline for your application, visit the McGill undergraduate admission page.

On the undergraduate admission page, locate a dropdown menu with the question “Where are you graduating from”. Select the option that describes your educational background, and the application deadline will pop up.

McGill University Tuition and Fees

Below is the estimated cost of attendance at McGill University.

Description / Description	Amount / Montant
Tuition / Droits de scolarité	2,797.20
Society & other fees / Frais d’associations et autres	1,031.04
Student Services / Athletics & Recreation / Services aux étudiants / sports et loisirs	694.96
Registration / Transcripts & Diploma / General Administrative Charges / Frais administratifs généraux, d’inscription, de relevés de notes et diplômes	382.34
Copyright Fee / Redevances de droits d’auteur	31.80
Information Technology Charge / Frais de technologie de l’information	271.50
SSMU Health & Dental Insurance* / Assurance maladie et dentaire de l’AÉUM*	345.00
Total Fees / Total des droits et frais	5,553.84

Please note that the table above represents the tuition for a bachelor of engineering and it is for students from the Quebec province. The average tuition at McGill for Quebec students is 5,000 CAD. The average tuition for Non-Quebec Canadians is 11,000 CAD.

The cost of attendance for international students who want to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree at McGill is 34,638 CAD. McGill’s average tuition for international students who want to earn a Bachelor of Engineering degree is 58,000 CAD.

McGill Contact Address

• School Address: 845 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal (Québec)  H3A 0G4
• Phone:  +1 514-398-4455

Visit the official website of McGill University for more on the latest news.

Admission Requirements by Faculty at McGill University

McGill University is renowned for its competitive admissions, and requirements differ significantly across its faculties and for different student pools. Admission decisions are typically holistic, but heavily weighted toward academic performance (up to 70% of the decision) and high performance in prerequisite courses.

General High School Admission Profile

To be competitive for most programs at McGill, applicants must aim for an academic average exceeding 90% (for Canadian high school students) or an unweighted GPA of 3.8/4.0 or higher (for US high school students). For scholarship consideration, the minimum academic average is even higher, often 97% or equivalent.

Breakdown of Faculty-Specific Competitive Profiles

The following data provides a representative view of the rigorous academic standards required for competitive faculties, drawing on historical and estimated admissions data.

Faculty	Competitive Academic Average (Canadian/Ontario)	Competitive Academic Average (US GPA/SAT/ACT)	Key Prerequisite Courses	Estimated Acceptance Rate Range*
Medicine (Undergraduate)	N/A (Highly regulated post-secondary application for MD)	N/A	Varies greatly, typically only open to Quebec residents/CEGEP or graduates. Extremely selective.	≈1−5% (Highly Restricted)
Engineering	92−98%	GPA: 3.8−4.0 (unweighted) / SAT: 700+ Math	Physics, Chemistry, Calculus and Vectors	≈10−15%
Management (Desautels)	90−97%	GPA: 3.8−4.0 (unweighted) / SAT: 700+ Math	Pre-Calculus/Calculus, High grades in English	≈10−15%
Science	90−95%	GPA: 3.7−4.0 (unweighted) / ACT: 31+	English, Pre-Calculus/Calculus, Two of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics	≈15−20%
Arts	85−90%	GPA: 3.3−3.8 (unweighted) / ACT: 26+	English, Recommended courses related to major	≈20−30%

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*Note: The acceptance rates listed are approximate and highly competitive estimates derived from historical data. Official rates for specific faculties are often not published annually by the university and can fluctuate.

Additional Selection Factors

Academic performance accounts for the most significant portion of the admission decision, but supplemental materials become critical for distinguishing competitive applicants:

• Prerequisite and Academic Record: Admission committees place a strong emphasis on grades in prerequisite courses, as they are the most reliable predictors of success in a specific program. For a US applicant to Engineering, an ‘A-‘ in Pre-Calculus and all sciences is typically the minimum requirement. The entire academic record, including failed or repeated courses, is considered.
• Standardized Tests (US Applicants): For US high school students, while McGill has offered a “test-optional” path, submitting competitive ACT (31+) or SAT (1400+ composite) scores can strengthen an application, especially for highly quantitative faculties like Engineering and Science.
• Supplemental Documents: Certain programs, such as Nursing, Education, and Music, may require additional materials like a personal statement, CASPer test results, auditions, or portfolios. These non-cognitive factors are crucial for demonstrating fit and are weighted more heavily in these specific applications.

Program-Specific Acceptance Rates and Averages for Domestic vs. International Students

While McGill’s admissions process aims to treat all applicants with equal consideration, the sheer volume of applications and the university’s composition goals (approximately 70% Canadian and 30% international enrollment) mean that the competitive bar for international students can be noticeably higher in certain faculties.

Overall Institutional Selectivity

The overall undergraduate acceptance rate at McGill typically ranges from 40% to 50%. This places it among the most selective institutions in Canada.

Applicant Group	Overall Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (Estimated)
All Undergraduate Applicants	≈46−48%
International Undergraduate Applicants	≈42−47%

Highly Competitive Faculty Acceptance Rates

The competitive nature is best illustrated at the faculty level, where some programs become exceptionally difficult to enter. International students often face a narrower margin for error in their academic record.

Faculty/Department	Estimated Acceptance Rate*	Comment on Selectivity
Faculty of Engineering	≈10−15%	Highly competitive. Applicants often require averages at the very top of their high school class.
Desautels Faculty of Management	≈10−15%	Strong emphasis on high grades in quantitative subjects.
Faculty of Science	≈15−20%	Selective, but varies by major. Core science programs (e.g., Biology, Computer Science) are often on the lower end of this range.
Faculty of Medicine	≈1−13%	The undergraduate MD program is notoriously difficult, with a majority of seats reserved for Quebec residents, making admission for out-of-province Canadians and international students exceedingly rare.

Minimum and Competitive Admission Averages

Competitive averages for admission are generally defined as the average grade of the most recent incoming class. Meeting the published minimum requirement only guarantees that your application will be reviewed; it does not guarantee admission.

Applicant Group	Minimum Academic Average (for Consideration)	Competitive Entering Average (for Admission)
Canadian Students (Out-of-Province)	85%	92−95%+
US High School Students	GPA 3.3 or equivalent	GPA 3.8−4.0 unweighted
International Students (Overseas)	≈A− average (87−90%)	≈92−97%+ (Highly variable by country)

For both Canadian and international students, admission to McGill’s most selective faculties—such as Engineering, Management, and Science, requires an academic record in the top 5% of their graduating class, as reflected by admission averages well above 90% and highly competitive standardized test scores (if submitted). These program-specific metrics are the most reliable indicators of admission difficulty at McGill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

McGill is an excellent research institution that offers degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Your desired program is offered at McGill, and you will have experienced faculty members to guide you through your time at the university.

The admission process at McGill is selective. If you are sure that McGill is an institution for you, then your application should convince the admissions committee of your candidacy.

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