Admission Requirements & Deadlines

This page contains important information designed to help you complete the application process. Be sure to review it carefully before submitting your application.

You should also consult the Applying and admissions section of the Prospective Graduate Students website.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a B.Sc. degree (or equivalent) from a recognized institution and are expected to have attained a high scholastic standing equivalent to, or better, than the minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.2/4.0 at McGill University of completed studies may be considered for admissions at the M.Sc. level.

Students who hold an M.Sc. degree minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.2/4.0 at McGill University from another recognized university (or from another McGill Department) may be considered for admission at the Ph.D. level. These candidates register at the Ph.D. 2 level.

A background in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physiology, microbiology is preferred. In examining a candidate's transcripts, the admissions committee looks for:

1. a general background in organic and physical chemistry;
2. two terms of cellular and molecular biology;
3. two terms of metabolic biochemistry (including biosynthesis of macromolecules);
4. adequate laboratory experience; at least one advanced level course in each of two 'core' areas of protein structure and function (including enzymology) and nucleic acid structure and function.

 Deadlines to apply to program

(Please note that the online application as well as all required documents must be submitted BEFORE the departmental application deadline.)

SUMMER– NO ADMISSIONS

Deadlines for supporting documents

Deadlines for supervisor acceptance

NOTE:   It is the responsibility of the “Prospective Student” to obtain a supervisor. Prior to submitting your on-line application you are strongly encouraged to research and communicate with potential supervisors. Connecting with a Supervisor

Application Procedures 

As of October 15, 2012 , McGill's formerly paper-based graduate application process has been replaced with a more convenient electronic version. For detailed instructions on how to apply and how to upload required supporting documents in the new version, please see: http://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare

Please note that all necessary documentation must be received (at the latest by the applicable deadlines specified above) before an application can be reviewed. These documents cannot be returned to the applicant. Also note that all applications which do not met ALL minimum admission requirements will be automatically rejected.

Supporting Documents

• Application Form and Fee:
  
  All applicants must complete an online application form (http://www.mcgill.ca/applying/online/).

All supporting documents listed below must then be uploaded online as per the new paperless application procedure (all supporting documents must be received before an application will be considered complete).

Curriculum Vitae:

Please provide a resume which should include a statement of research interests as well as a listing of previous research experience and publications, if applicable.

Personal Statement:

Applicants must submit a personal statement in which they describe their background, research interests and reasons for wishing to undertake the desired program. The statement should be no more than two (2) pages long.

Letters of Reference:

Two (2) letters of reference. These letters must be current (not more than 6 months old) and must be uploaded by the referee (see instructions at http://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare) .

Applicants are encouraged to request references from academic or other professional employers who can evaluate their potential for graduate studies and research, and who can attest to the applicant’s abilities and aptitudes.

Official Transcripts:

Applicants must upload transcripts for all post-secondary education undertaken (Quebec students need not submit CEGEP transcripts). The transcripts must present evidence of academic achievement: a minimum standing equivalent to a Cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) of 3.2 out of a possible 4.0. Transcripts written in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation.

NOTE: Official transcripts are not required for any studies conducted at McGill University (students may submit a MINERVA copy of their McGill transcript with their application).

Besides the supporting documents listed above, candidates should be aware that admission into either the Ph.D. or M.Sc. program in Department of Biochemistry is contingent upon finding a thesis supervisor (You can find out more about our faculty members by reading their laboratory pages and by consulting their research interests page). 

Special requirements for international applicants

TOEFL or IELTS scores

All international applicants whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone) must submit exam results from the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS).

TOEFL - McGill requires:

• The computer-based Test (CBT) is no longer being offered. CBT results will no longer be accepted as ETS no longer reports these results.
• Paper-based test (PBT): a minimum score of 550
• Internet-based Test (iBT): a minimum overall score of 86 with each component score not less than 20

IELTS - McGill requires:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 or greater

Important Note: You must ensure that the official test results are sent directly to McGill (Institution Code: 0935) by the test service.

GRE scores

International students who have received their degree outside North America should submit the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), either the General or Subject test in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology. The minimum score is 550. The GRE is not required but is strongly recommended.

Important Note: You must ensure that the official test results are sent directly to McGill (Institution Code: 0935; Department Code: 0202) by the test service.