30 credits

You're entering with 30 credits of advanced standing from:

• CEGEP
• French Baccalaureate
• European Baccalaureate
• Some Bologna-compliant high school programs

At least 24 credits

You're entering with at least 24 credits of advanced standing based on your examination results from:

• International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificates (IB)
• Advanced Level (AL)
• Advanced Placement (AP) exams
• Refer to the lists of advanced standing credits and specific course exemptions

University credits

You have taken university courses at another institution prior to entering McGill and have received advanced standing for your degree.

• As part of the Admissions process, you must submit transcripts from all previous studies.
• Eligible advanced standing credits will be recorded on your transcript as general (TRNS XXX) transfer credit.
• Review the Transfer student page for more information.
• Course(s) taken via an intermediary study abroad organizations or companies will not be approved for advanced standing nor for transfer credit.

Program selection

For the Bachelor of Arts degree, complete any of the following four options:

1. The Multi-track system:
   • Select the following from at least two different academic units - For new students as of Fall 2025: you must complete at least one Faculty of Arts program as part of your Multi-Track to graduate with a B.A. degree:
     • At least one Major concentration; and
     • At least one Minor concentration (unless enrolled in two Major concentrations)
       • This may be an approved non-Arts Minor offered by another Faculty.
     • Note for U0 students: Select courses from a variety of areas in your first year, from where you will be able to narrow your program choices later.
     • Note for all students: you may enrol in as many as three different Major and Minor Concentrations.
2. Honours programs:
   • You must satisfy specific departmental and Faculty requirements while maintaining strong academic standing (CGPA thresholds vary by program).
   • Honours programs demand a high degree of specialisation and are designed to prepare you for graduate study within a specific discipline.
   • You must also complete a Minor concentration in a different academic discipline along with you Honours. For new students as of Fall 2025: you must complete at least one Faculty of Arts program as part of your Honours requirements - to graduate with a B.A. degree.
3. Joint Honours programs:
   • These allow you to study at the Honours level in two disciplines. 
   • For new students as of Fall 2025: you must complete at least one Faculty of Arts program as part of your Joint-Honours requirements - to graduate with a B.A. degree.
4. Faculty program;
   • This is an approved selection of courses constituting a concentration in an intellectually coherent and inter-faculty field of studies.

Step 1: Choose an area that fits your general academic interests and background. Your undergraduate bachelor's degree is intended to serve as a general preliminary step in the pursuit of major career or educational goals.

Step 2: Familiarize yourself with the academic regulations of the Faculty of Arts and refer to the Course Catalogue as well as individual departmental program information (found on departmental websites) to confirm program requirements. An intended course plan may not be feasible if it requires the completion of too many credits from other faculties, or if it is not listed in the Course Catalogue.

Step 3: Enter your programs on Minerva by the listed periods for making program changes.

Course registration

Refer to the helpful registration information. For help with course registration error messages, consult the tips on handling registration problems.

Do not register for a course if it overlaps in time with another course listed in the Minerva Class Schedule

Know your Departmental Academic Advisors

• They are very familiar with the requirements of their Honours, Major Concentration, and Minor Concentration programs.
• They give specific information about prerequisites, courses, approval for required courses and program selection.

They are also generally members of McGill University's academic staff and can also provide useful insight into potential options for further study in their respective disciplines.

Course load

A typical full-time course load is 12-15 credits per semester.

Students must be registered for a minimum of 12 credits to be considered full-time.

If you enrol in 5 courses (15 credits) in one semester, a suggested course selection would include:

• 2-3 courses for a Major Concentration
• 1-2 courses for a Minor Concentration
• 1-2 courses of electives.

Course terminology

Course Level

• Most courses taken in the first year at McGill will be at the 100 or 200 level.
  • Exception: language courses, where the appropriate level will be determined by a placement test administered by the department offering the course.
• The first digit of the course number normally denotes the course level.

Program courses

These are required and complementary credits that are used to complete your program requirements.

Prerequisites

• When registering for courses:
  • Ensure that you are met all relevant course prerequisites.
• Minerva will not prevent you from registering in a course for which you have not satisfied the prerequisite. You are responsible for the consequences of your registration.

Electives

• Elective courses are courses which are NOT being used toward a departmental program you are completing.
• You may select any courses from the courses listed in the Arts or Science section of the McGill Course Catalogue as elective courses
  • You must have completed the appropriate course prerequisites.
• You are permitted to take a maximum of 12 credits of courses in Faculties outside of Arts or Science throughout your degree.
  • Refer to Faculty of Arts Course Regulations.