FAQS

The full time McGill MBA program is a 51 credit program that is completed over the course of two years (20 months).

Yes, qualified candidates who have completed a Bachelor of Commerce or Business Administration degree from a recognized North American university may apply for the accelerated study option. If admitted, they are not required to complete the internship/practicum part of the curriculum and could graduate in three semesters (16 months).

Yes, McGill does have a core curriculum, and one of the most unique core curriculums in the world. The first semester of the MBA program is referred to as the Core. The Core, consisting of five integrated modules and a final case competition, provides the organizational and environmental context for the rest of the program.

The Desautels MBA program at McGill combines both theory and cases. Other methods include guest lectures and team projects. Students have the opportunity to learn from not only from leading professors from around the world, but also from exceptional international business leaders. This combination of theoretical and real world teaching is an important differentiating factor of the Desautels MBA program at McGill.

There are four areas of specializations that students can choose from— Finance, Marketing, Global Strategy and Leadership and Technology and Innovation Management. Concentrations allow students to tailor their studies to their specific career goals and interests. A concentration is comprised of five courses (15 credits) selected from a chosen area.

Credits earned during an undergraduate degree may not be counted towards an MBA.

The program is rigorous and intensive; thus, incoming students are not recommended to work while attending full-time studies.

We have students from all different backgrounds, and as such, all accepted students participate in Base Camp beginning the second week of August. Base Camp is a non-credit two week session that provides a strong foundation in Business Statistics and Financial Accounting. Base Camp works to ensure that students begin the Core with a solid knowledge of these key areas. As well, the Pre-MBA CD ROMs from GMAC (Accounting Interactive, Finance Interactive and Quantitative Interactive) are good tutorials in preparation for the introductory Accounting, Finance and Statistics courses. To order the Pre-MBA CD ROMs, please visit the GMAC website.

Candidates applying must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized university. Additionally, all applicants must complete the GMAT exam. For candidates whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed their degree in an English speaking country, the TOEFL or IELTS is required. The minimum TOEFL score is 600 (paper based), 250 (computer based) or 100 (internet based). The minimum overall band for the IELTS is 7.0. Additionally, all applicants must have a minimum of two years of work experience following their undergraduate degree.

Yes, all applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements will be invited for an admission interview. Selected applicants will be notified by e-mail as to a time and date.

We understand that our applicants invest a great deal of time and effort into their applications. The written application, including the essays and letters of reference, remains a critical part of the evaluation process. The interview is simply a key source of supplemental information. There is no specific weight assigned to the interview. We use the information derived from the interview in context—just as we use all other information in the application process. No single factor is decisive. Therefore, a positive interview does not guarantee admission, just as a poor interview does not, by itself, preclude admission. This interview is important not only for the admissions committee to better understand your background and experiences, but also an important opportunity for you to ask key questions and ensure that the Desautels MBA at McGill is the right program for you.

Once an application is complete, applicants can expect to receive a response within 4-6 weeks.

Our student body is extremely diverse, and as such, there is no "typical candidate". This is one of the reasons why our program is so special. We look for excellent candidates who will become responsible leaders, and that can come from many different backgrounds. Our averages for our last incoming class include 4-5 years of full-time post-baccalaureate work experience, an average GMAT score of 670 and an overall GPA of 3.3, however there are ranges around each of these figures. We look at all of the different components of the application package.

The confirmation of acceptance and registration deposit fee must be returned to the MBA Program Office by the deadline date specified in your letter of acceptance to ensure that your space in the program is not forfeited to another candidate.

Under exceptional circumstances, an applicant may defer his/her acceptance for a period no longer than one year. To apply for a deferral, the student must do so in writing, explaining the reasons for the deferral. In order to secure a space for the following year, a deposit fee is required.

Tuition fees are due only after the student has registered for courses. Once registration is confirmed, a fee statement is sent out for the Fall term, which is due at the end of the month in which the statement is mailed. Tuition fees for the Winter term will not be reflected on the fee statement until early December. Students usually register for the full year (i.e. Fall and Winter terms) in August.

For students awarded an MBA Entrance Award, funds are transferred to their student account in mid-September.

All applicants are automatically considered for all internal MBA entrance awards. Specific information on scholarships can be sought in the Scholarships and Awards section of our website.

MBA students traditionally live off campus in downtown Montreal. For detailed information on apartment sizes, location, lease laws, subletting and tips on searching for an apartment in Montreal, please contact the off-campus housing service office at 514-398-6010 or visit their website.

Montreal is a bilingual city (English and French) located in the heart of North America. Montreal offers students a unique and enriching cultural experience in addition to an exceptionally low cost of living. It is often referred to as the Paris of North America. As for climate, there are four seasons present where the daytime high can reach as high as 32°C in mid-July to -20°C in mid-February. For more detailed information on Montreal, please visit Desautels’ website.