Electronic Version | Admission Requirements | Application Procedures | Application Deadlines
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Electronic Version
New web-based electronic application procedure, as of October 2012, McGill's formerly paper-based graduate application process has been replaced with a more convenient electronic version.听听Therefore you should NOT send any supporting documentation to the department. For detailed instructions on how to apply and how to upload required supporting documents in the new version, please see:听 Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.
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Admission Requirements
The Department of Civil Engineering at McGill University is committed to academic excellence. Only outstanding candidates are considered for entry into the graduate program. A comprehensive list of the entrance requirements can be found on the web pages of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office. However, there are two essential criteria defined by the University that a student must meet in order to be eligible to apply.
- Academic qualifications: Students must have achieved a cumulative gradepoint average equivalent to 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, in a recognized program.听 This applies to the Bachelor's degree as well as to the Master's degree for PhD applicants.听 Alternatively, an equivalent gradepoint average of 3.2 over the last two years of the program will be accepted.
- Proficiency in English:The language of instruction at McGill University is English. All students whose mother tongue is not English or who have not completed a degree in English, must show proficiency in English. Students applying to our graduate program must have achieved a minimum TOEFL score on the iBT (internet based test) of 94 overall and no less than 20 in each of the four component areas, or have achieve a minimum band score of 7 or greater (Academic module) and no less than 6.0 for each of listening, reading, writing and speaking, for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in order to apply. Visit the Graduate Admissions English Language Proficiency for more information on the English Language requirements.
You must meet both of these requirements to be eligible to apply.听 Satisfaction of these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
If you are applying for a PhD or a MSc听we recommend that you visit our Areas of Specialization page to see what research is currently being done in the department. You may then contact a staff member to see whether they have a position open for a research student.听The identification of a prospective research supervisor is not mandatory at the application stage.
Those who meet the eligibility requirements should proceed to the Future Graduate Students web site.
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Application Procedures
Applying to a Master's or Doctoral degree program:
- Online (web) application. Applicants complete the online application and submit it electronically, paying the application fee by credit card. The online application is available at the following web site Future Graduate Students.
- Two letters of reference. Forms are not provided by the Department. Candidates should ask referees to compose letters on their behalf.听 At least one letter should be from an academic familiar with your work.听 We recommend that academic referees should complete the following statements: "Among the approximately _____ students I have known at the same level of studies in recent years, I would rank the applicant in the upper ______%. I would/would not accept the applicant as a graduate student under my direction. For PhD applicants, one letter must be from your Master's supervisor.
- Have all current transcripts of the undergraduate degree (and graduate degree if applicable) including exchange terms and term away ready to upload. Instructions on how to upload your documents can be found here- /gradapplicants/how-apply/submit-your-application
- Meet the English Proficiency requirement - see above.
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A current CV, which should contain an updated list of publications and a list of extracurricular activities.
- The GRE is not required, but is highly recommended.
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Application Deadlines
Application for fall (September):
- International Deadline: January 1st
- Canadian Deadline: January 1st
Application for winter (January):
- International Deadline: August听1st
- Canadian Deadline: August听1st听
All necessary documentation must be received by the deadline. Admission is highly competitive and places are extremely limited.
Getting information on your file
In the Province of Quebec, there are laws in place which are designed to protect the confidentiality of nominative information. These laws prohibit us from giving any details regarding an application or an applicant to a third party, or to divulge information over the telephone or via email. While we do understand that this situation can make applicants anxious, particularly those applying from outside of Canada, we abide strictly by the law. Please do understand that, in so doing, we are protecting you and your file.
Registration for newly admitted students happens throughout the month of August (for September admission) and in December (for January admission).
If you would like to defer, or delay, your offer of admission, you must make a formal written request, explaining your reasons. The Department will respond in writing.
If you have been refused admission your application will be kept on file for one-year period. If you wish to be reconsidered for admission before the end of the one-year period, you are required to submit a new McGill Application Form and the application fee, as well as updated versions of transcripts (where applicable). Further information on admissions and fees for domestic and international applicants can be found in the following websites: