DO NOT use the Degree Evaluation on Minerva or the myProgress tool to confirm your program or degree requirements. You must confirm that you have completed your program requirements with your departmental program advisors. OASIS advisors cannot answer questions regarding myProgress audit sheets.
Requirements
Students completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at McGill University must successfully meet the following requirements in order to graduate (see table below). Carefully review this information, including the links to the official policies found in the McGill Course Catalogue. In all cases, the McGill Course Catalogue policy will prevail over any other interpretations.
BA Degree Requirements | Minimum Credit Requirements | Program Options | Program Advising|Exceeding the BA Degree Credit Requirement
BA Degree Requirements
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In order to graduate from the BA degree, all students must: |
Course Catalogue Policy: | Notes/Exceptions: |
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Complete 120 degree credits |
Minimum Credit Requirement |
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| Complete at least 60 credits at McGill | Residency Requirement | |
| Complete at least two-third of all program requirements at McGill | Residency Requirement | |
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Complete the Foundation Year Program, if entering in U0. |
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Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 |
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Complete one of the following types of programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts: Multi-Track, Honours, Joint Honours, Enriched Honours or a Faculty Program These programs of study must be entered on Minerva during the listed periods for making program changes. For new students as of Fall 2025: you must complete at least one Faculty of Arts program - as part of your Multi-Track, Honours or Joint-Honours requirements - to graduate with a B.A. degree. Consult the Departmental/Program Advising Information page for information on programs offered and departmental advising available to students in the Faculty of Arts. |
Programs Offered |
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If you were admitted with 24 or more credits (U1): Complete your degree within 8 semesters of full-time study. If you were admitted with fewer than 24 credits (U0): Complete your degree in 10 semesters of full-time study |
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Ensure you are meeting your Course Requirements: |
Course Catalogue Policy: | Notes/Exceptions: |
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Earn grades of C or higher in all program requirements |
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The S/U option may be used for a maximum of 10% of your McGill credits. It may only be used for elective courses. |
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option | |
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You will not receive additional credit for any course that overlaps in content with a course you have already received credit for. It is your responsibility to consult with a Faculty advisor or the department offering the course as to whether or not credit can be obtained. |
Course Overlap |
There are specific policies concerning statistics courses offered by different department. Be sure to review the information in the Course Catalogue carefully before registration. |
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No course may fulfill the requirement for more than one program |
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Understanding your minimum credit requirement for a Bachelor of Arts degree
To complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at McGill University, you must complete a minimum of 120 credits.
These credits can come from three sources:
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Advanced Standing
Credits granted for studies completed before McGill.
These credits will determine your year of study upon admission.
Examples (and typical credit amounts granted): CEGEP (30), French Baccalaureate (30), IB (up to 30), Advanced Levels (up to 30), AP Exams (up to 30), University Transfer (up to 60). -
Program Credits
Required and complementary courses used to fulfill the requirements of your program(s).
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Electives
Courses that are not being used to fulfill the requirements of a departmental program.
Normally, students select their electives from the courses listed in the Arts or Science section of the McGill Course Catalogue.
Up to 12 credits may be taken in faculties outside Arts and Science.
How is my year of study determined?
U0 - Foundation Program students - You have been admitted without advanced standing or with less than 24 credits of advanced standing.
U1 – University Year 1 students - You have been admitted with 24 or more credits of advanced standing.
U2 – University Year 2 students - You have been admitted with the maximum of 60 credits of advanced standing
Understanding your program options
- Option 1 - Multi-track system
- Option 2 - Honours, Joint Honours and Enriched Honours
- Option 3 - Faculty program
Multi-Track System:
The Faculty of Arts offers a 90-credit B.A. degree with a Multi-Track system that allows you to explore your academic interests. You can choose from three options, combining major and minor concentrations with electives.
Understanding concentrations:
| Major Concentration | Minor Concentration |
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| Your primary area of study, requiring 36-48 credits, depending on program choice | A secondary area of study, requiring 18-24 credits, depending on program choice |
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Important Requirements:
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Choose your Multi-Track option:
| One Major + One Minor | One Major + Two Minors | Two Majors |
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Honours, Joint Honours and Enriched Honours
These programs demand a high degree of specialization in one or two disciplines and require you to maintain a high academic standing.
For new students as of Fall 2025: you must complete at least one Faculty of Arts program - as part of your Honours or Joint-Honours requirements - to graduate with a B.A. degree
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Honours Program
- Admission is normally after the U1 year of study.
- Minimum CGPA of 3.00 in the previous year; program GPA requirements vary according to department.
- Requires the completion of 42-72 program credits
- You must also complete a Minor Concentration in another program of study from a different teaching unit or department.
- You may also need to complete electives (0-30 credits).
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Joint Honours
- Admission is normally after the U1 year of study.
- Minimum CGPA of 3.00 in the previous year; program GPA requirements vary according to department
- Requires two Joint Honours programs component from different discipline of 30 to 37 credits in each component.
- You are not required to complete a Minor Concentration
- You will need to complete 16-30 credits of electives.
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Enriched Honours
Program option: Spécialisation enrichie du Département des littératures de langue française, de traduction et de création
- Minimum program GPA requirements of 3.00.
- Requires the completion of 72 credits
- You are not required to complete a Minor Concentration, but can if you wish to.
- You may need to complete up to 18 credits of electives if you do not complete a Minor Concentration.
Faculty program
An approved selection of courses drawn from departments in at least two faculties to form an interdisciplinary program of study.
Faculty program in Environment
- Requires the completion of 54 credits and students do not need to complete a second program of study.
- You can complete a second program, if not, you will need to complete electives to reach your degree requirement.
Faculty Program in Population and Global Health
New as of Fall 2025, you must apply for this program at the time of admissions.
Faculty Program in Industrial Relations
Retired in 2022 and is no longer available.