Application Process

CHECKLIST

Verify Application Deadlines
Verify Admission Requirements
Supervisor Requirement
Online Application Form
Education History & Transcripts | Personal Statement | Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)
Two Letters of Recommendation | Proof of English Proficiency

Your application is considered complete if you have the following documents uploaded:

1. Completed application form

2. Official or unofficial transcripts for all schools you might have attended and obtained a degree from or have gotten credits towards the completion of your degree at another institution

3. Personal Statement and CV

4. letters of reference must be uploaded

5. Proof of English Requirement

VERIFY APPLICATION DEADLINES

Take careful note of our application deadlines for the Fall, 2023 and Winter, 2024 semesters here.

VERIFY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Read through the admission requirements of our M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs here. 

SUPERVISOR REQUIREMENT

** If you have a confirmed supervisor, please email our admissions office with the name of the supervisor here: ipn.admissions [at] mcgill.ca **

Except for Rotation applicants, all applicants to the IPN must have found and confirmed a thesis supervisor in order for their files to be considered and evaluated for admission. It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify IPN supervisors with whom they wish to work with and to contact them. Applicants should begin reaching out to potential supervisors as early as possible. Read our 'Finding a Supervisor' page for advice on how to contact and secure a thesis supervisor, and browse through our database of IPN supervisors. 

Note that applicants can secure a supervisor before or after they have submitted their online application. All applicants' files, once submitted and completed, will be accessible to IPN supervisors. If a supervisor finds an applicant they're interested in, they will contact the applicant directly. This increases the applicant's chances of finding a supervisor. Nevertheless, it is still the applicant's responsibility to continue contacting potential supervisors. Applicants have until the 'Find a Supervisor' deadline to secure a supervisor and to inform our admissions office. Failure to secure a supervisor by this deadline will result in the refusal of the application for the term applied to.

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

Application to our programs is done via McGill's Slate. You must pay the application fee and submit your online application by the deadline. After this, you will be able to upload supporting documents and complete the application. Once you have answered all the questions and uploaded all the documents, please e-mail our ipn.admissions [at] mcgill.ca (Admissions Office) to advise us that your application is complete. 

We recommend using a computer rather than a mobile device to access Slate.

Important Notes:

• The online application form will request your basic information, education history, the names and contact information of two (2) referees, and the name of your prospective thesis supervisor (If you haven't found a supervisor yet, simply write that you are currently looking for one. Please note that this will not affect your chances of being admitted into the program).
• Please answer the additional questions on Slate, even if you have not found a supervisor or do not have funding. You can make note that you are looking for a supervisor or funding. If you do not do this, your application will not be indicated as complete.

Education History & Transcripts

Be sure to accurately include the names of the institutions you attended (and/or are attending), and the correct dates of attendance and graduation. If you did not finish, and will not finish a program of studies, select the option "Attended to" and state the date by which you finished or will finish studying. If you will graduate at a later date, select the option "Graduation Date" and indicate the date. The names and dates that you indicate on the form must match the information on your transcripts. If applicable, you must also include, as a separate entry, details of any exchange courses and/or other courses taken at different institutions and that counted towards your degree.

Unofficial copy (or copies) of each transcript from each university-level institution you have attended must be uploaded. If the transcript does not indicate that a degree has been conferred, a copy of the degree certificate (diploma) will also need to be uploaded. If you have completed an exchange semester(s) or extra course(s) at a host institution, which added credits towards your degree, then these transcripts must also be uploaded. Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation provided by the institution issuing the transcript, or by a certified translator. WES (World Education Services) transcripts are not acceptable. 

Personal Statement

Format:

About 2 pages, single-spaced, uploaded in PDF format

Content: 

•  Your academic background, emphasizing on the highlights of your education (special projects you've worked on, etc.)
•  Your research interests
•  Reason(s) for pursuing your graduate studies in IPN
•  Explanation(s) as to how IPN will help you reach your short- and long-term goals

Curriculum Vitae (C.V.)

Content: 

•  Education
•  Research/Teaching Experience
•  Publications & Presentations
•  Fellowships & Grants
•  Skills & Certifications
•  Honours & Awards
•  Extracurricular activities & Community Service

Two Letters of Recommendation 

Applicants are encouraged to request two recommendations from academic or professional employers who can evaluate their potential for graduate studies and independent research, and who can fully attest to the applicant's capabilities.

McGill University will send an email to each referee you identify on the application form, asking for a reference in support of your application to be admitted. If no response is received, a reminder message will be sent every two weeks. If your referee declines the request, you will be advised by email to provide an alternate. Referees will be invited to login to a secure portion of the McGill website where they can upload the letter(s) of reference. 

Format: 
•  Must clearly indicate the program the student is applying to
•  Must be dated and not be older than 12 months
•  Must indicate the referee's position and full contact information at their institution

Proof of English Proficiency 

Depending on your circumstances, submission of proof of English proficiency may either be not required, required, or an exemption. Read the descriptions down below to determine if you need to submit proof.