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Fall Term New Student Checklist

These checklists are mandatory reading for all new students – they'll help you get off on the right foot and make sure you meet all your important deadlines

Compulsory Orientation Session

Discover McGill

For all students, including special, visiting, and exchange students

Discover McGill is a chance to learn about McGill's resources for academic and personal success, Student Services, and the Students' Society of McGill University. You will meet other new students in Engineering and learn how to get involved in student life. To see what other activities are planned for new students, please visit the Welcome Week and Orientation website.

Faculty of Engineering Orientation Session

Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026

  • Session 1: 1:30 - 2:30 PM
  • Session 2: 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Registration link: available soon
Location: Leacock Building, Room 132
Presentation slides: available soon

Transfer Credit Session - Year 0 (Freshman)

Please carefully read through our Newly Admitted Transfer Credit Process

If after reading through the Instructional Newly admitted transfer credit slides above you require guidance on Transfer credits and course registration, please attend one of our Drop-in sessions below:

Transfer Credit Process Information Sessions

Date: Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Key Dates for Fall 2026 Semester

1. Monday, August 31, 2026 – Classes begin

2. Tuesday, September 15 2026 – Deadline to Course Change (add/drop)

3. Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – Deadline for Course Withdrawal (with refund)

4. Tuesday, October 27, 2026 - Deadline for Withdrawal with NO refund

Please refer to our FAQ’s for most common questions and answers

Intro to Course Registration

Faculty of Engineering
General Advising Session for Newly Admitted Engineering Students
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 -11:00 AM
Registration Link: available soon

CEGEP Entry Students

Registration Opens:

June 8, 2026 - CEGEP Scholarship recipients
Note for scholarship recipients: All newly admitted students will see a standard registration period on their time tickets in Minerva prior to mid-April. Scholarship recipients will have their time tickets adjusted to priority one in mid April.

 

June 11 2025- All Newly admitted CEGEP students may begin course registration via Minerva

 

Take advantage of this early start to ensure that you secure a space in your courses.

Note: to avoid any late registration penalties, you must be registered in at least one course by August 14, 2026.

 

Mandatory Departmental/School Advising Sessions

Attend the mandatory Departmental/School Advising Sessions to meet the Chair/ Director of your department/school; discuss your course registration and meet your fellow students.     

Important Notice – Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 212)

New students who have completed CEGEP level courses in Organic I with labs and who are entering the Department of Chemical Engineering or Bioengineering in the Fall term, will now have two options available to satisfy the program requirements.

Option 1

You may write a McGill Placement Examination in Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 212) at McGill University in August of your admission year. Should you register to take McGill Placement Examination, and successfully achieve a passing grade in said course you will be granted full transfer credit on the basis of this examination. Science Placement exams cannot be used to satisfy any requirements of Minor programs.

Option 2

You must register for CHEM 212 Organic I (Fall term) during your studies at McGill as outlined in your program requirements.

Students can review McGill Placement Examinations for application procedures and details related to the time, place and location of the exams.  Please note that you can only take a McGill Placement Exam upon entry to McGill; after this date you will be required to complete the course at McGill.

Important Notice – Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 234) (CHEM 222)

New students who have completed CEGEP level courses in Organic II and who are entering the Department of Chemical Engineering in the Fall term, will now have two options available to satisfy the program requirement.

Option 1

You may write a McGill Placement Examination in Organic Chemistry II CHEM 222/ CHEM 234 at McGill University in August of your admission year. Should you register to take McGill Placement Examination, and successfully achieve a passing grade in said course you will be granted full transfer credit on the basis of this examination. 

Note that students in other Engineering programs (other than the two mentioned above) can take the placement exams for CHEM 212, 222 /234; however, they will not receive any credits for these courses. They will only receive exemptions for these courses.

Science Placement exams cannot be used to satisfy any requirements of Minor programs.

Option 2

You must register for CHEM 234 Organic II (Winter term) during your studies at McGill as outlined in your program requirements.

Students can review McGill Placement Examinations for application procedures and details related to the time, place and location of the exams. Please note that you can only take a McGill Placement Exam upon entry to McGill; after this date you will be required to complete the course at McGill.

Important Notice – Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 112)

New students who have completed CEGEP level courses in Cell and Molecular Biology and who are entering the Department of Bioengineering in the Fall term, will now have two options available to satisfy these program requirements.

Option 1

You may write a McGill Placement Examination in Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 112) at McGill University in August of each year. Should you register to take one or both of these McGill Placement Examinations, and successfully achieve a passing grade in said course(s) you will

  • be granted full transfer credit on the basis of this examination(s)
  • have the transfer credit reflected on your McGill transcript;
  • have your program credit requirements decreased to reflect these transfer credits.

Option 2

You must register for BIOL 112 during your studies at McGill as outlined in your program requirements.

Students can review McGill Placement Examinations for application procedures and details related to the time, place and location of the exams.  Please note that you can only take a McGill Placement Exam upon entry to McGill; after this date you will be required to complete the course at McGill.

Note that students in other Engineering programs (other than the two mentioned above) can take the placement exams for CHEM 212 222/234; however, they will not receive any credits for these courses. They will only receive exemptions for these courses.

Science Placement exams cannot be used to satisfy any requirements of Minor programs.

Non-CEGEP Students

(Baccalaureate, GCSE A-Levels, High School Diploma (Canadian/US/Overseas) & Transfer Students)

Registration Opens

June 12, 2026 - Non-CEGEP scholarships recipients only

June 15, 2026 - Students whose highest level of education prior to McGill is French Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate Diploma or at least one year of university

June 17, 2025 - All Non-CEGEP students may register

Take advantage of this early start to ensure that you secure a space in your courses.

Note: to avoid any late registration penalties, you must be registered in at least one course by August 14, 2026.

It is recommended to as soon as possible to get your preferred schedule for the Fall and Winter term.

 

Compulsory Information / Registration / Orientation Sessions

 

Transfer Credits

Please carefully read through our Newly Admitted Transfer Credit Process

If after reading through the Instructional Newly admitted transfer credit slides above you require guidance on Transfer credits and course registration, please attend one of our Drop-in sessions below:

Transfer Credit Process Information Sessions
Wednesdays, 3:00 PM-4:00 PM

 

Students can also book one-on-one appointments by clicking “Transfer credits” to find availabilities.

Transfer Credit Eligibility

Please click and check the appropriate section to determine whether you are eligible to obtain transfer credits. 

Note:  Students entering a 123-151 (Year 0) credit program may write McGill Science Placement Examinations. 

Where transfer credits have been granted, the following selection of courses/curriculum will help you build your course schedule for each term: A Department/School Advisor will assist you with alternate course selection to complete your schedule during the Advising Session in August.

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