McGill requirements for CBSE students 2026 : Canada Admissions
- Nimisha Padliya
- Aug 26, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 20
McGill University is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec. Founded in 1821 by a royal charter granted by King George IV, the university bears the name of James McGill, a Scottish merchant. It is one of the most sought-after universities in Canada. The university is one of two members of the Association of American Universities located outside the United States, alongside the University of Toronto, and is the only Canadian member of the Global University Leaders Forum (GULF) within the World Economic Forum.
Campuses:
McGill’s main campus is on the slope of Mount Royal in downtown Montreal in the borough of Ville-Marie, with a second campus situated in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, 30 kilometers west of the main campus on Montreal Island, and the Gault Nature Reserve acting as the third campus.
Downtown Campus: McGill’s main campus is situated in downtown Montreal at the foot of Mount Royal. A major downtown boulevard, McGill College Avenue, leads up to the Roddick Gates, the university’s formal entrance. Many of the major university buildings were constructed using local grey limestone, which serves as a unifying element. A number of these buildings are connected by indoor tunnels. In 2012, Travel + Leisure rated McGill’s campus as one of the 17 most beautiful university campuses in the world.
Macdonald Campus: Located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, this campus houses the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Science, the School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, the Institute of Parasitology, and the McGill School of Environment. Its location near the St. Lawrence river makes the campus significantly quieter and nature dense than the Downtown Montreal campus. The Morgan Arboretum and the J. S. Marshall Radar Observatory are nearby. Students attending Macdonald campus often nickname it as the “Mac”.
Gault Campus: McGill’s Gault Nature Reserve spans over 10 square kilometers of forest land. The first scientific studies at the site occurred in 1859. It has been the site of extensive research activities. Today there are over 400 scientific articles, 100 graduate theses, more than 50 government reports, and about 30 book chapters based on research at Mont St. Hilaire.
Faculties and Schools:
McGill University offers degrees and diplomas in over 300 fields of study through its various faculties and schools:
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Arts
School of Continuing Studies
Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Law
Desautels Faculty of Management
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Schulich School of Music
Faculty of Science
International students targeting McGill University need to have an excellent academic profile as a prerequisite to apply to most of the programs offered here. When assessing applicants, the admissions committee considers what subjects the students have chosen during their high school years and how they have performed in them.
Academic Requirements
McGill University has specific requirements for international students based on their high school curriculum. The table below lists the subject requirements for students from the CBSE and IB Boards:
Course/Degree | Minimum Requirements for CBSE | Minimum Requirements for IB |
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | Mathematics, and two of biology, chemistry, or physics in Class 11 and 12. | Mathematics and two of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, at HL or SL. |
Architecture | Mathematics and physics in Class 11 and 12. | Mathematics and Physics, at HL or SL, with at least one math/science at HL |
Arts | No specific subject prerequisites. | |
Arts and Science (B.A. & Sc.) | Mathematics, and two of biology, chemistry, or physics in Class 11 and 12. | Mathematics and two of Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at HL or SL; at least one math/science at HL |
Education | No specific prerequisites except for the following:
| No specific prerequisites except for the following:
|
Engineering | Mathematics, chemistry, and physics in Classes 11 and 12. Biology cannot be used as a prerequisite. | Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics at HL or SL (at least one math/science at HL) |
Human Nutrition | Mathematics, and two of biology, chemistry, or physics in Class 11 and 12. | Mathematics and two of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, at HL or SL. |
Kinesiology | Mathematics, and two of biology, chemistry, or physics in Class 11 and 12. | Mathematics and two of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, at HL or SL. |
Management | Mathematics in Class 11 and 12. Applied Mathematics is also accepted. | Mathematics at HL or SL. |
Nursing | Mathematics, and two of biology, chemistry, or physics in Class 11 and 12. Proof of French proficiency. | Mathematics and two of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, at HL or SL. Proof of French proficiency. |
Science | Mathematics, and two of biology, chemistry, or physics in Class 11 and 12. | Mathematics and two of Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at HL or SL; at least one math/science at HL |
Note - For students starting in 2025 and beyond, McGill (along with Concordia) is required to ensure that 80% of undergraduate students from outside Quebec achieve a Level 5 oral proficiency in French by the time they graduate.
Essays - Generally, students applying to McGill University’s undergraduate programs do not have any essay requirements. However, for some courses, the university requires a Statement of Purpose. Students should carefully evaluate the admission requirements for the program of their choice before submitting their application.
Standardized Testing SAT / ACT - While McGill University has extended its test-optional policy for Fall 2026, the SAT remains a vital strategic asset for the ambitious international applicant. In an increasingly competitive landscape where high school grade inflation can mask true academic potential, a strong SAT score provides a "standardized anchor," offering a common metric for the admissions committee to validate a student’s quantitative and verbal rigor against global benchmarks. For students from non-Canadian curricula, particularly those following US or international boards, submitting a score in the 1450–1550 range serves as a powerful "Proof of Work" that complements a high GPA. Furthermore, the SAT remains a critical gatekeeper for McGill’s prestigious entrance scholarships; while the "opt-out" may protect an admission chance, it often disqualifies a student from the highest tier of merit-based financial honors. By treating the SAT not as a mandatory hurdle, but as an elective opportunity to showcase "Strategic Stamina," students can differentiate their profile, signaling a level of academic readiness and intellectual explosiveness that a transcript alone may not fully capture.
English Language Proficiency - Most prospective students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of English before they’re admitted to their preferred course at McGill University. International students can appear for any one of the IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE to meet the English requirements. The minimum scores are listed below:
Exam | Minimum Score Requirement |
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Scores are out of 9.0 Bands | Overall: 6.5 Bands
|
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Scores are out of 120 (overall) and 30 (sectional) | Overall: 100
|
PTE (Pearson Test of English) Scores are out of 90 | Overall: 65
|
Applicants for the 2026 Winter Session must submit test scores from May 1, 2026 onwards.
Tuition Costs and Overall Expenses - The tuition landscape in Quebec has shifted significantly in the recent past. For the 2026-27 cycle, international tuition has stabilized at a higher baseline.
International Undergraduate Tuition: Approximately $54,000 CAD per year.
Mandatory Fees: Roughly $3,500 CAD (includes Health Insurance, IT, and Athletics).
Total Estimated Budget: ~$57,500 CAD (approx. $42,500 USD) per annum excluding living expenses.
How To Apply?
All prospective students must apply to McGill University through its website (Minerva/Applicant Portal). Students need to sign up and create a PIN to initiate the application. They are then required to fill in personal and academic information, post which they can choose the course they wish to apply to. The Timing: Self-reporting typically opens in January (for the 1st window) and March (for the 2nd mandatory window). The Rule: Official transcripts are not required for the initial admission review. Students must upload unofficial transcripts and self-report their 10th, 11th, and 12th mid-year grades. Official documents are only sent after an offer is accepted.
All things considered, McGill University offers a great college experience for international students. Being among the top universities in Canada, McGill University offers excellent academic and extracurricular opportunities for students to discover their true potential.
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