Language Policy
The main language of instruction at McGill is English. You have the right to write essays, examinations, and theses in English or in French except in courses where knowledge of a language is one of the objectives of the course.
If you need to improve your English skills, you should take an intensive course in English as a second language before or at the start of your studies. Information concerning second language course offerings can be found through the School of Continuing Studies at mcgill.ca/continuingstudies/area-of-study/languages and the French Language Centre at mcgill.ca/flc, and in Summer Studies and Continuing Studies.
Note for the Faculty of Education: There are special language requirements for Faculty of Education students; see Faculty of Education.
Note for Continuing Studies: For English language programs, refer to the School of Continuing Studies' Global and Strategic Communications section.
Note for the Faculty of Law: Due to the bilingual nature of the Law program, examinations, term papers, and essays may be written in either English or French. Participation in Moot Courts may also be in either language. While examination questions are set in the language in which a course is given, they may contain materials in either English or French.
Note for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies: You should refer to Courses Taken as Extra to a Program in the Graduate Regulations and Resources.
Note for Health Sciences: Students studying in the Faculties of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences or
Medicine and Health Sciences or in the Schools of Human Nutrition, Nursing, or Physical
and Occupational Therapy should consult the Health Sciences
language requirements and any
language policies pertaining to their specific program. Programs
with a clinical component require that students have a working
knowledge of both English and French.
For French language proficiency guidelines, refer to mcgill.ca/undergraduate-admissions/french-proficiency.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2024-2025 (last updated Mar. 15, 2024) (disclaimer)
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2024-2025 (last updated Mar. 15, 2024) (disclaimer)
