McGill University offers generous scholarships for international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For new undergraduate students, there are two main types of entrance scholarships: a one-year award of CAD 3,000 and major scholarships that range from CAD 12,000 to 48,000 and can be renewed for up to four years. To qualify, students generally need strong academic results—like an A average of about 97% or an International Baccalaureate score of 41 points—and must meet leadership criteria for the major scholarships. No separate application is needed for the one-year scholarship, but McGill University major scholarships require an additional application.
Current undergraduate students can also receive in-course scholarships based on their academic performance during their studies. These awards are decided by individual faculties and are automatically considered for eligible students. Graduate students may qualify for financial aid if they show financial need after their first year, but certain programs and new international students typically aren’t eligible right away. Overall, McGill’s scholarship programs are designed to support international students who excel academically and help them afford their education.
Also Read: McGill University Reviews and Ratings
McGill University Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students
McGill offers entrance scholarships for new, full-time undergraduate students. These are merit-based and not available to transfer, mature, diploma, exchange, part-time, or visiting students.
There are two types:
- One-year scholarships worth 3,000 CAD (non-renewable)
- Major entrance scholarships ranging from 12,000 to 48,000 CAD (renewable annually for up to 4 years if you meet the criteria)
McGill University One-year Entrance Scholarships
All McGill undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for a one-year entrance scholarship if they meet the minimum academic requirements—though meeting them doesn’t guarantee an award.
No separate application is needed, but make sure your admission file includes:
- All grades (including interim) available by the application deadline
- Any new interim or final grades submitted as soon as they're issued
Award Details: 3,000 CAD
Eligibility Criteria:
- Overseas high-school: Minimum A average (approximately 97% or equivalent) over last two years of full-time study and/or rank in top 1% of class.
- International Baccalaureate: 41 subject points (not including bonus points) on predicted or final grades.
McGill University Major Entrance Scholarships
McGill University’s major entrance scholarships are competitive awards based on top academic performance and exceptional leadership in school or community life. These are renewable for up to 3 or 4 years, as long as you meet renewal criteria.
A separate application is required shortly after you apply for admission, so be sure to check the deadlines.
Award Details: 3,000 CAD, 5,000 CAD, 10,000 CAD or 12,000 CAD renewable
Eligibility Criteria:
- Overseas high-school: Minimum A average (approximately 97% or equivalent) over last two years of full-time study and/or rank in top 1% of class.
- International Baccalaureate: 41 subject points (not including bonus points) on predicted or final grades.
Documents Required:
- Two letters of reference
- Signed statement from your school (if available)
Application Deadline:
- January 21 of each year
McGill University Merit Scholarships for Current Undergraduate Students
McGill University in-course scholarships, awards, and prizes are for current full-time undergraduates who excelled academically and are continuing their studies. These are awarded by faculty-specific scholarship committees, with funds disbursed by Scholarships and Student Aid directly to your fee account and recorded on your transcript. These awards are based on academic excellence, with GPA as the key factor. Faculty committees determine award cut-offs based on their budgets at the end of the academic year.
To be eligible, students must:
- Complete at least 27 graded credits at McGill during Fall and Winter (excluding S/U and Summer courses)
- Be in a McGill degree program
Note: Exceptions apply for students with documented disabilities deemed full-time. Students who meet the eligibility criteria are automatically considered for in-course awards—no application needed, unless stated otherwise.
Also Read: Scholarships for International Students in Canada
McGill University Scholarships for Graduate Students
International graduate students who accept admissions, whether based on an offer of graduate funding from McGill or not, including differential fee waivers and/or home country educational authorities, etc… will have provided proof of financial capacity to immigration authorities in order to receive their study permit. As such, they are expected to have a concrete financial plan in place for their first 12 months of study and beyond.
To be eligible for in-course McGill University graduate scholarships, students must:
- Be enrolled full-time in a degree program (exceptions apply for students with documented disabilities or young dependents)
- Apply for and accept all available government aid
- Be in good academic standing
- Show genuine financial need after using all other resources
Note:
- Special, Visiting, Qualifying, Certificate, Diploma, Continuing Education, Medical Residents, and most Private Program students are not eligible (e.g., MBA, Master of Management).
- Master of Public Policy students can apply anytime during the year for interest-free loans based on need.
- International students are generally not eligible in their first year, as they’ve already shown financial capacity for their study permit.
Also Read: McGill University Graduate Courses and Fees
McGill University’s scholarship programs offer significant financial support to international students, with entrance awards ranging from CAD 3,000 to 48,000 and renewable major scholarships lasting up to four years.
FAQs
Ques: Is McGill University expensive for international students?
Ans: McGill offers several scholarships for international students, including entrance awards up to CAD 48,000, renewable over four years, which can significantly reduce the cost. However, international students are required to show proof of financial capacity to obtain a study permit, so having a solid financial plan is essential. While tuition and living costs can be high, these scholarships help make McGill more affordable for top students.
Ques: What is the average GPA to get into McGill?
Ans: To be considered for scholarships and admission, McGill generally looks for a minimum A average, which is approximately 97% or equivalent. This high academic standard reflects the competitive nature of admissions, especially for international students.
Ques: Does McGill have full scholarships?
Ans: McGill does not typically offer fully-funded scholarships that cover 100% of tuition and living expenses. However, it does offer major entrance scholarships valued up to CAD 48,000 (renewable over four years), which can cover a significant portion of tuition costs. Additional in-course awards and need-based aid may further help, but a full-ride scholarship covering all costs is rare.
Ques: Is McGill hard to get into?
Ans: Yes, McGill is considered a competitive institution, especially for international students. For scholarship eligibility, students typically require a minimum grade of A (~97%) or an IB score of 41. While the university is highly respected and attracts strong applicants globally, your chances depend on your academic performance, program choice, and overall application strength.
Scholarships offered
Sandhya and Swati Sharma MBA Leadership Award
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
McGill Faculty Major Entrance Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
McGill University International Entrance Awards
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
QS Leadership Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Paul Foundation scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $20,174
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Diploma
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Go Clean Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $3,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
Reviews
Most Popular Tags
23 Reviews Found
Likes
- World class research environment
- Multicultural and diverse campus
- Strong academic reputation worldwide
Dislikes
- Lack of support during conflict especially for international student
- More old school working style
- Administration is very slow in processing the things
- For finding accommodation, it is mostly through friends, which is the most trustworthy, as international students are more prone to SCAMS. Be aware of it!. Some other platforms are facebook marketplace, Kjiji.
- But make sure you sign the proper document and read the agreement terms and conditions. Some landlords create an issue, especially for those of Asian origin.
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Likes
- Because of its overall reputation and global ranking. McGill is well situated in the heart of Montreal.
- The competitive atmosphere, the diverse crowd, the teaching faculty, the well-equipped labs. Moreover, it is well connected with metro and bus routes.
Dislikes
- I dislike the examination system and the variability in how each course is structured. There is no uniformity in the exam pattern and each professor has the right to design the course according to their needs which might be difficult for some students to follow.
Scholarship
I received funding from my supervisor and the department. I also received the MITACS Globalink Graduate Fellowship valued at $15000. Only MITACS Globalink Research Internship alumni are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
The overall experience is pretty good. The campus has a lot of racial diversity and you meet people from different cultures and ethnicities. We have esteemed faculty and research professionals too. The campus has decent infrastructure with good wifi. The food options are limited on campus but we have good restaurants and fast food outlets nearby.
Likes
- McGill is top 2nd in Canada and top 29th worldwide. Also particularly I liked the lab and research work as I exactly wanted to work on basic science and cancer biology.
- Research, academic life, networking opportunities, freedom to attend conferences, events, student life, fun, inter-departmental connections and affiliations
Dislikes
- Placement opportunities could be more strengthened but I guess this is more of an abroad thing because I know that even masters courses in India provide with placements at the end
Scholarship
I did not receive any international scholarship. I received funding from my supervisor at McGill.
Wonderful phase of my life being at McGill. Plethora of opportunities, networking, funding, research ideas and resources availability are all amazing.
Likes
- I liked Montreal as a bilingual city and the program sparked my interest.
Overall, I was really satisfied with my college experience. It was some of the best years of my life and expose me to some of the best friends I’ve ever made. It also jumped me onto a path of life long learning, which was very valuable.
Likes
- Ranking, prestige as being the best in Canada, and presence of a specific professor.
- Education at McGill Faculty of Law is usually focussed more on jurisprudential aspects, so if you love that this University is for you. The workload is going to be heavy so be ready for that. Funding opportunities are limited for Master's students, but getting a RA position is possible, although very tough since JD students will give you tough competition for the same. There are immense networking opportunities if you stay alert and only read your emails properly.
- If you want to go to academia, McGill is a good place to start your journey. Be warned though, the path to academia is long and arduous.
Dislikes
- Not too much. If you want to practice in Common Law after graduation, then perhaps you would be better off going to Toronto or Vancouver, since networking opportunities work best in person. Other than that, McGill is golden.
Law fac is something else at McGill University: Superb University culture, chill atrium with a Piano and ping pong table, massive networking opportunities, very-very friendly students (much better than anywhere else in Canada - based on the experience of students who were previously in UBC and UfT), and opportunity to learn French and experience French culture. Located in Montreal, a city like no other. The only drawback is that finding part-time jobs without french can be difficult. Also, NCA students will have to make more efforts than UfT or UBC students owing to location constraints. Remember, if you are in trouble, seek help and there will be some help around every corner. McGill Law is good at that.
Likes
- It is the best medical university in the country for the last 15 years and my program is under faculty of medicine.
Scholarship
Fully Funded Masters Program with Stipend.
McGill University, being one of the premier research institutes of the country has truly lived up to its expectations as it has given me a great platform to start my research career with its strong research abilities and a great international outlook. I'm really glad that I took this decision to pursue my masters from this university and looking forward to graduate soon.
Scholarship
No, I did not get any scholarship.
I chose this university due to its stature and location. Canada provides better opportunities for jobs after graduation that other countries.
Scholarship
Yes, I have received the Graduate excellence fellowship which is 15,000 CAD/year. For this scholarship our supervisor will submit a nomination on our behalf of us and based on our profile, the committee will decide.
There were many reasons. A few of them are #1 - It's one of the world's top-ranked universities (ranked - 32 in the world) #2 - The course structure #3 - My area of interest that matches with the supervisor I selected #4 - Campus culture (got to know through my seniors & friends)
Scholarship
I got a James McGill's entrance scholarship which was 3000 CAD.
McGill is considered one of the best Universities. In addition to this, it was cheaper than UBC and UofT. The course offered was really good and it good location.
Scholarship
No
This university is affordable along with a very nice location in Canada. It is a fair acceptance rate and good courses at its disposal.
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| Program | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| M.S Computer Science | Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (15th Dec 2025) |
| M.B.A | Final Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (15th Mar 2025) First Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Nov 2025) Second Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) |
| M.Sc. Biotechnology | Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) |
| M.S Biology - Bioinformatics | Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2025) Application Deadline For Winter 2026 Intake (1st Aug 2025) |
| M.S Public Health | Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Dec 2025) |
| B.Eng Mechanical Engineering | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Feb 2025) Documents Deposit Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Mar 2025) |
| M.Mgmt Analytics | First Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake (15th Nov 2025) Final Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) |
| B.S Architecture | Documents Deposit Deadline For 2026 Intake (1st Mar 2025) Application Deadline For 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026) Entrance Scholarship Award (21st Jan 2026) |
| B.Ed | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Feb 2025) Documents Deposit Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Mar 2025) |
| M.B.A Management - Business Analytics | Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake 2 (15th Jan 2025) Final Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (15th Mar 2025) |
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