Master of Business Administration (MBA Program)

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McGill MBA Full-Time Admissions

On this page:

→ Applying to the MBA
→ Application Deadlines
 Application requirements
→ Admitted candidates
 Application checklist
→ After applying


Applying to the MBA

You are about to make the right decision. The Desautels Faculty of Management MBA is designed for high-achieving, ambitious students interested in making a real change in their careers. McGill seeks talented applicants with strong academics, leadership skills and managerial potential.

Admissions criteria and decisions are based on the following components:

→ 2 years minimum of relevant full-time post-graduate work experience.

→ Transcripts from undergraduate and other graduate degrees

→ Completion of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  

→ In addition, applicants who completed their undergrad degree in a university where the language of instruction was not in English are required to complete the TOEFL or IELTS. 

→ The admissions committee will also carefully review your essays, extracurricular interests and letters of reference.

Only qualified applicants will be called for an interview with a member of the admission team.

If you have any questions about the requirements above, please feel free to email mba.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca.


Application Deadlines

Applications for Fall 2024 are now open.

November 1, 2023
(First application deadline)

January 15, 2024
(Second application deadline)

March 15, 2024
(Final deadline for international students)

May 1, 2024
(Final deadline for Canadian citizens and Permanent residents)


Express Interest in the 2024 cohort to receive updates on the McGill MBA.


Application requirements

What's needed to begin your journey

2 years minimum work experience

A minimum of two years of relevant full-time work experience after completion of their undergraduate degree.

2 letters of reference

As part of the admission process, candidates must provide two professional letters of reference directly from individuals who have been directly responsible for evaluating their work performance and potential. On the application form you must provide the names and email addresses of two individuals who have been directly responsible for evaluating your professional performance and managerial potential. McGill will automatically contact these referees and invite them to upload references. Please provide them with this recommendation form.

Official transcripts

Two official transcripts of marks from all universities attended are required. This includes any transcripts for courses completed as part of an exchange program and any transfer courses taken as part of the undergraduate degree. 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. A copy in the original language is also required. For those universities/institutions where a degree has been obtained, and the transcript does not indicate the year the degree has been conferred, a copy of the degree certificate (diploma) will also need to be uploaded. Uploaded copies will be considered as unofficial; final, official copies will be required once you are offered admission. McGill transcripts need not be uploaded.

International students can determine the equivalency of their degrees using the dedicated tool on the McGill website.

GMAT or GRE

All applicants must complete either the GMAT, GMAT Focus Edition or the GRE. There are no waivers granted. Official scores must be sent to McGill University using the following codes: GMAT Institution Code: 58 H-MN-22; GRE Institution Code: 0935.

Complete GMAT details
Complete GRE details

To help you with your preparation, we are now offering free online GMAT practice test, in collaboration with Admit Master, North America's premier Test preparation & Admissions Consulting company.

English Proficiency Test:  TOEFL or IELTS 

For international candidates who did not complete a degree from a recognized English-medium university, proof of English proficiency is required. TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) 100 with a minimum score of 20 in each category or IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no score below 7.0 is required. In order to meet the English requirement, please have the test provider send official results. Only tests taken at Test Centers are accepted for admission, at-home tests are not accepted.

Note:

  • The McGill ETS Institution code is: 0935, Department code 02
  • IELTS Results Service Account
    Name: McGill University
    Address: 688 Sherbrooke St. W, Suite 760. Montreal QC, H3A 0B8 Canada

Registration materials: TOEFL Bulletin and TOEFL information

3 essay questions

Please complete the following questions on separate pages and submit them as one PDF document.(500-word limit per question)

  1. Why do you intend on pursuing an MBA at this point in your life? Describe your mid-term and long-term visions for your post-MBA career path and how will the Desautels MBA program add value to your future career? 
  2. What qualities would you look for in an MBA classmate when working on a team project and describe how your background and leadership skills will enhance the experience of others?
  3. Describe a difficult decision you made and the process that you went through to make it.

Interview (by invitation)

After a preliminary review of their file, strong candidates will be invited for an interview. This interview is primarily conducted by Skype for international and non-Montreal students, and in-person for local students. We would like to highlight the importance of the interview as it is 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.


Admitted candidates

Following the interview, your file will be presented and evaluated by the MBA Admission Committee. A final decision will be rendered within two weeks of the date of the interview. The accepted candidate will have a predetermined amount of time to accept the offer and secure a spot in the MBA program. In order to accept the offer the accepted candidate will log onto the McGill Graduate Admission System (Fall admission) and pay a non-refundable deposit of $5,000. Once the payment is complete, the participation to the program becomes official. For any questions, please contact antoinette.molino [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Questions%20-%20MBA%20Admissions) (Antoinette Molino), Associate Director, Admissions & Recruitment.

Deferred admission

A deferral of admission for one year may be considered in exceptional cases upon evidence of extenuating circumstances. A written request should be submitted to antoinette.molino [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Questions%20-%20MBA%20Admissions) (Antoinette Molino), Associate Director, Admissions & Recruitment. If approved, students wishing to defer their admission will be required to submit a non-refundable confirmation deposit in order to secure a place for the following year.


Application checklist

Before Applying

Prior to starting your application, we strongly encourage you to refer to the application requirements and review the FAQ. Ensure that you have completed all requirements before the deadline.

Submitting your application on the Graduate Admissions System (Fall admission)

  • Application fee: CAD $132.90 (non-refundable), payable by credit card when you submit the application. You must select the Fall term.
  • After your application has been submitted, you will receive access to your Graduate Admissions System account via email.
     

Uploading supporting documents

All supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format directly to the Graduate Admissions System. Read the following information and instructions on how to upload supporting documents:

  • MBA Essay Questions: write an essay and upload.
  • Transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Reference letters (professional letters): McGill will request letters of reference on your behalf from referees you identify on the application form. Applicants are responsible for informing referees that they will be contacted by email and that references must be submitted by the application deadline.
    If your referee does not receive an email, ask them to check their junk mail. You may send this recommendation form to the referee for completion or the referee may choose to write their own recommendation letter.
    If at any time you need to make changes to the referee information, you can apply these changes directly on your Graduate Admissions System page. You will be advised by email if a referee declines to write a recommendation for you.
  • GMAT results: when registering for the test please ensure that you request the results be sent directly to McGill University, Institution Code: 58 H-MN-22. McGill will then receive the results electronically, directly from the testing agency.
  • GRE results: when registering for the test please ensure that you request the results be sent directly to McGill University, Institution Code: 0935. McGill will then receive the results electronically, directly from the testing agency.
  • TOEFL results (if required): when registering for the test please ensure that you request the results be sent directly to McGill University, Code: 0935, Department Code: 02. McGill will then receive the results electronically, directly from the testing agency.
     

After applying

While admission to the program is competitive and based on a number of requirements, your application will receive serious consideration.

Admission decisions are usually rendered within four weeks following receipt of complete applications with all supporting documents. Since we process applications as they are received, we strongly suggest prospective students to submit their application as early as possible to avoid deadline peaks.

Non-Canadian applicants are advised to contact their home country's Canadian Embassy prior to their desired program start date. Some countries have additional requirements for visas and medical examinations.

International students

All international students are responsible for maintaining valid immigration documents and legal status throughout the duration of their program of studies. Find more information on the International Student Services page.

In January 2024, the government (IRCC) issued immigration updates with new measures for incoming Masters and PhD students:

Proof of financial capacity

  • Effective January 1, IRCC has increased the minimum amount of financial capacity students must demonstrate when applying for a study permit. This new minimum does not apply to Quebec. To study in Quebec, applicants must prove they meet the financial requirements outlined by the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
  • As per MIFI, the minimum amount required for a student without dependents includes tuition, transportation (round trip from country of origin), settlement fees, health insurance and living expenses of $15,078 per year. This amount is normally adjusted every year.
  • ISS has updated this information on their website (please see the yellow box on top of the page).

International student caps

  • On January 22, the federal government announced new caps to the number of study permits to be issued in 2024. These caps do not apply to master’s and PhD programs.

Post-Graduate Work Permit

  • The January 22 announcement also included the following:
  • Graduates of master’s and other short graduate-level programs will soon be eligible to apply for a 3-year work permit. Under current criteria, the length of a post­graduation work permit is based solely on the length of an individual’s study program, hindering master’s graduates by limiting the amount of time they have to gain work experience and potentially transition to permanent residence.

Letter of acceptance verification process

  • Since December 1, 2023, post-secondary designated learning institutions have been required to confirm every letter of acceptance submitted by an applicant outside Canada directly with IRCC. This enhanced verification process protects prospective students from fraud and ensures that study permits are issued based only on genuine letters of acceptance.
  • Institutions have 10 calendar days to validate the letter of acceptance.
  • At McGill, the verification process is coordinated through Enrolment Services.
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