Any coursework completed at another university while you are a McGill student must be pre-approved for equivalency to ensure the credits will transfer to your McGill student record (see below for instructions). Any request to transfer credits without pre-approval will be refused.
In all cases, you must ensure your host university sends your official transcript directly to records.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca once it is available.
Students completing prerequisite courses after being admitted to McGill must take them at a university-level institution (not CEGEP).
Independent study away
An independent study away is when a McGill student applies, registers, takes courses and pays tuition to another accredited degree granting institution.
You must be registered at the host university as a visiting, non-degree student and take courses that are part of their undergraduate curriculum, taught by their faculty members. You'll receive an official transcript from the host university and the study away term will appear on your McGill transcript.
Eligibility
To qualify for independent study away, students must:
- Have a minimum CGPA of 2.7 at the time of application (2.5 CGPA for the summer term)
- Have not already received the maximum number of transfer credits
- Register with the McGill Student Travel Registry (unless the course is online)
How to apply
- Research and select a host institution.
- Select the course(s) at the host institution that you intend to register for during the proposed term(s) and discuss your intended course selection with your academic advisor.
- Check whether the course was previously approved through McGill's Course Equivalency System. If not, submit a course equivalency request.
- Complete the Study Away Application in Minerva (Student Menu > Student Records Menu > Exchange/Study Away Menu). In your statement of purpose, indicate why you wish to study away.
- Complete the Transfer Credit Assessment Form in Minerva, linked at the bottom of your Study Away Application. In order to populate this form, the course must already be approved in the Course Equivalency System.
- Once your application is approved by the Faculty, you will receive an automated e-mail from Minerva indicating that you may log back into your Study Away Application and print a letter of permission (link found at the bottom of application), which will allow you to apply to the host institution as a visiting student.
- Your Minerva record will be updated to non-resident Term Away status for the term(s) that you will be away. You will no longer be able to register for McGill courses in that term and any McGill courses that you were already registered for will be dropped. If your plans change, you will not be automatically re-registered for these courses.
- For summer term: Your status will not be updated to Term Away in your Minerva record until mid-July, to allow access to summer course registration at McGill. Once your status is updated, you will not be able to register for McGill summer courses in Minerva.
When to apply
For summer term only: February 15 to July 15
For fall term only: February 15 to July 15
For winter term only: August 15 to December 1
For both fall and winter terms: February 15 to July 15
Quebec Inter-University Transfer
The Quebec Inter-University Transfer Agreement (IUT) allows McGill students to take one or more courses at another Québec university, while paying their regular McGill tuition.
Macdonald Campus students must have a minimum CGPA of 2.0 to apply.
Going on exchange
An exchange gives McGill students the opportunity to complete a semester or a year of study at a partner university.
Explore, learn, and grow abroad, all while earning credit toward your McGill degree and paying your usual McGill tuition!
Eligibility
To qualify for an exchange, you must:
- Have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 at the time of application
- Ensure your Minerva record is up to date (including any transfer credits earned from a previous study away)
- Have completed at least 24 credits by the start of your term abroad (S/U courses count, withdrawn courses do not)
How to apply
Students in our faculty must:
- Provide a list of eight potential courses for each university of interest in your application
- Indicate how your exchange will benefit your personal/academic development
If you do not submit the requested information by the provided deadline (found in the "SAO comments" of your exchange application in Minerva), your application will be Faculty Refused.
Transfer credit pre-approval process for Macdonald Campus students
- Once you have been admitted to your host university, select the courses you intend to register for and check whether they have been previously approved through McGill's Course Equivalency System. If not, submit a course equivalency request.
- In the student records section of Minerva, complete the Transfer Credit Assessment Form found in the exchange/study away menu. In order to populate this form, the course must already be approved in the Course Equivalency System.
- Your academic advisor will decide whether to approve the courses submitted for assessment.
J'Explore
The Explore Program is a five-week French-language bursary program offered by the Government of Canada. You can receive transfer credit for it on your McGill transcript.
