Admission Requirements

Admission requirements differ depending on the program to which a student is applying. Detailed requirements are listed below.

Note that all students must verify whether or not they meet the English language proficiency requirement of McGill (https://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/international/apply/proficiency).  If not, proof of English language proficiency must be provided at the time of application (before the application deadline) in order for the application to be complete.

M.Sc. Programs

Applicants for the M.Sc. program in Experimental Medicine must hold either a B.Sc. degree or its equivalent or an M.D. degree. The Division requires a cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) of not less than 3.2 out of a possible maximum of 4.0.

Applicants for the M.Sc. (Bioethics Option) program must hold an M.D., Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy and/or any other professional health training degree. Students who do not fit these criteria may be considered for admission on an individual basis. For more detailed program requirements, please Click Here.

Applicants for the M.Sc. (Digital Health Innovation Option) program is open to those with health professional or informatics/ computer science/ data science/engineering/quantitative basic science undergraduate training. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required to be admitted to the program as well as evidence of successful completion of a CEGEP or higher level course in calculus or advanced math.

Ph.D. Program

Applicants for the Ph.D. program who hold an M.Sc. Degree: 

Candidates who are seeking entry into the Ph.D. program must have a cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) of no less than 3.2 out of a possible maximum of 4.0 in their B.Sc. degree and no less than 3.4 out of a possible maximum of 4.0 in their M.Sc. degree. A cGPA lower than these requirements in one of the 2 degrees may be considered acceptable if the student has performed with distinction in the other degree. It is expected that the applicant’s previous M.Sc. degree will have a substantial research component related to the area of research for the Ph.D. program, whether this is wet lab, dry lab, or computational. The research component of the applicant’s previous M.Sc. program should be comparable to what one would obtain in the Division of Experimental Medicine at McGill University. This information should be described by the student in the personal statement. Students not meeting these requirements may still be accepted but will be required to start at the M.Sc. level. They will than have the option to fast track to the Ph.D. program after completing 2, but no more than 4, semesters.

Applicants for the Ph.D. program who hold a B.Sc. Degree: 

Candidates who have only a B.Sc. degree but who have demonstrated academic excellence (cGPA of 3.7 out of a possible maximum of 4.0 throughout their undergraduate studies) can be considered for direct entry into the Ph.D. program. These candidates should clearly indicate that they are seeking entry into the Ph.D. program rather than the M.Sc. program. They should also provide a justification in their personal statement explaining why they feel ready to make this lengthy commitment to research. Previous research experience is required, preferably in a field of study related to Experimental Medicine. In the case where the applicant has secured (a) supervisor(s), the supervisor(s) may be asked to provide a letter of support explaining why they consider that the student is sufficiently mature and motivated to succeed in a Ph.D. program. Students not accepted for direct entry to the Ph.D. program (but accepted to the M.Sc. program) have the option to fast track to the Ph.D. program.

For Applicants to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. Programs

​Candidates must be aware that admission into either the M.Sc. or Ph.D. program in Experimental Medicine is contingent upon finding a thesis supervisor.

Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research

Applicants for the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research must also hold either a B.Sc. degree or its equivalent or an M.D. degree. The Division requires a cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) of not less than 3.2 out of a possible maximum of 4.0.

Please note that the Graduate Diploma is considered a part-time program; therefore, international students cannot apply to this program.

Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Medicine

Applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Medicine must hold a B.Sc. degree. The Division requires a cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) of not less than 3.2 out of a possible maximum of 4.0.

Applicants must have completed with success the following courses: BIOL 200 (Molecular Biology), BIOL 202 (Basic Genetics), CHEM 212 (Introduction to Organic Chemistry), their equivalent, or permission of the coordinators.

Please note that the Graduate Certificate is considered a part-time program; therefore, international students cannot apply to this program.

For All Applications, Regardless of Program

Admission to graduate studies is highly competitive. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants are required to have attained a cGPA of 3.2 or higher (for the M.Sc.) and 3.4 or higher (for the Ph.D.) in science-based courses as a measure of their potential for graduate studies and research in Experimental Medicine. Most of our successful applicants have cGPAs well above the stated minimum requirements.

Educational credentials obtained at non-Canadian institutions will be assessed for equivalency with a McGill University degree. All non-McGill transcripts must be accompanied by the issuing University's grading scale in order to ensure that GPA equivalency is calculated correctly.

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