Max Bell School's MPP is an intensive 11-month program which requires students to dedicate themselves full-time to their studying in order to succeed. As such, students should budget for both tuition costs, fees and the cost of living in Montreal. The following sections outline the tuition and fees required to study at the Max Bell School as well as the various funding sources available to students. The Max Bell School is focused on making its program accessible and is committed to providing financial assistance to its students. Details on these scholarships and other sources of funding are also available below.
Fees and Costs
Tuition costs are the same for both international and domestic students while health and dental insurance costs differ.
|
Fall Term (15 Credits) |
Winter Term (16.5 Credits) |
Summer Term (13.5 Credits) |
Total | |
|
Tuition Costs |
$ 15,000.00 | $ 16,500.00 | $ 13,500.00 | $ 45,000* |
*The total tuition cost does not include ancillary and insurance fees. Tuition costs are based on the number of credits registered for at $1,000 per credit.
Accepted candidates are required to make a non-refundable deposit of $5,000 CAD to secure their place in the program. This non-refundable deposit will be applied towards their fall tuition.
Successful Quebec and Canadian applicants are eligible for an entrance scholarship up to $15,000. There are also a limited number of scholarships available for international students.
All degree students may apply for a Fee Deferral if they meet the criteria outlined. In particular, government aid recipients and international students experiencing transfer delays are able to postpone all or part of their tuition and ancillary fees without incurring interest or penalties.
Detailed Breakdown of Max Bell School Tuition 2025-2026
The Max Bell MPP is one of the most cost-competitive MPP programs among leading universities given the program takes less than a year to complete and the affordable cost of living in Montreal. For a detailed comparative breakdown consult the following link.
Please note that in the table below the student society, student services, general administrative charges and ancillary fees, as well as insurance fees, are based on costs for the 2024-2025 academic year.
| Fall Term | Winter Term | Summer Term | ||
| Average # of credits per year | 15.00 | 16.5 | 13.5 | |
| Tuition ($1,000 per credit) | $15,000.00 | $16,500.00 | $13,500.00 | |
| Student Society and Other Fees | $191.27 | $116.43 | 0.00 | |
| Student Services / Athletics | $350.72 | $350.72 | 0.00 | |
| Registration, Transcripts & Diploma, General Administrative Charges | $232.09 | $168.60 | $191.61 | |
| Copyright Fee | $16.80 | $18.48 | $15.12 | |
| Information Technology Charge | $144.00 | $144.00 | $129.60 | |
Total Fees: |
$15,934.88 | $17,298.23 | $13,836.33 | $47,069.44 |
McGill University Health and Dental Insurance Fees for 2024-2025**
| International Students | Canadian Students | |
| International Health Insurance (single rate) | $ 1047.00 | |
| PGSS Dental Insurance International Students (students may opt-out under certain conditions) | $ 230.00 | |
| PGSS Health & Dental Insurance Canadian Students (students may opt-out under certain conditions) | $ 680.00 | |
| Total | $ 1,277.00 | $ 680.00 |
**Paid in the fall term for coverage from Sept 1 to Aug 31
Note: Ancillary and insurance fees are based on costs for the 2024-2025 academic year and are subject to change.
Total Cost of MPP Program Including Fees and Insurance
| Fall | Winter | Summer | TOTAL | |
| International Students | $16,761.88 | $16,803.23 | $13,431.33 | $46,996.44 |
| Canadian Students | $16,164.88 | $16,803.23 | $13,431.33 | $46,399.44 |
Estimated Cost of Living and Tuition Comparative Table
McGill offers a costs comparison specifically for living in Montréal compared to other major student cities. The below comparison is for other public policy master's programs.
|
School |
City / Location |
Total Tuition Cost of Degree (Domestic Students) |
Total Tuition Cost of Degree (International Students) |
Average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment near campus (per year) |
Length of Degree |
|
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs - University of British Columbia |
Vancouver
|
$51, 388.80 CAD
|
$94,427.32 CAD
|
$32,208 CAD
|
20 months |
|
The School of Public Policy - University of Calgary |
Calgary |
$27, 712.74 CAD
|
$43, 628.97 CAD
|
$22,536 CAD |
12 months |
|
The Goldman School of Public Policy - University of California Berkley |
Berkeley
|
$48,747 CAD
|
$66,826.19 CAD
|
$34,009 CAD
|
24 months |
|
John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard Kennedy School) - Harvard University |
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
|
$161,326.47 CAD
|
$161,326.47 CAD
|
$45,594 CAD
|
24 months |
|
School of Public Policy - London School of Economics and Political Science |
London, United Kingdom
|
$68,200.48 CAD
|
$68,200.48 CAD
|
$28,001.04 CAD
|
9 months |
|
Max Bell School of Public Policy - McGill University |
Montreal
|
$40, 500 CAD |
$40,500 CAD |
$16,968 CAD
|
11 months |
| Blavatnik School of Government – University of Oxford |
Oxford, United Kingdom
|
$95,426.06 CAD |
$95,426.06 CAD |
$33,018.12 CAD
|
12 months |
|
Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy - University of Toronto |
Toronto
|
$20,520 CAD
|
$49,920 CAD
|
$28,572 CAD
|
24 months |
The table shows costs in Canadian dollars as of October 2023. The table is also based on data accessed in October 2023 and reflects the tuition rates at the above institutions for the 2023/24 year.
* Rent costs are estimated total costs for the duration of the program based on 2023 costs.
Fund your MPP
Find out about scholarship and funding options for your Max Bell School MPP degree.
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