Programs

Grading

BSW

All required and complementary courses used to fulfil the BSW program requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Only in an elective course will the grade of D be counted for credit. This policy concerns all courses completed while in the BSW program, not those courses taken prior to entering the BSW program and being transferred into the BSW program.

Failing a required course: If a student does not complete a required course with a C or better, the grade is considered a failure (“D” or “F”, “J” or “KF”). The student must either pass the supplemental examination in the course if this option is available or repeat the course. Course substitution will be allowed only in special cases; students should consult their academic advisor in this case.

Normally, a student is permitted to repeat a failed course only once. To attempt a required course for the third time, a student must appeal to the Associate Dean (Student Affairs) for permission. If permission is denied by the Associate Dean and/or the appeals committee, the student must withdraw from the program.

A failing grade of “D”, “F”, “J” or “KF” does NOT get removed from the student record and CGPA is affected by the grade.

MSW, MScA, PhD

Graduate level students (MSW, MScA, & PhD) are required to obtain a grade of 65% (B-) or better in all of their courses.

Graduate students who receive a failing grade in one required course (a course required by the program or a course designated by the department for an individual student’s program of study) may automatically write one supplemental examination if the departmental policy permits, retake that course, or substitute an equivalent course. A student who receives any other failing grades, including in the supplemental, will be required to withdraw from the program.

This policy does not pertain to comprehensive examinations, doctoral oral defenses, or thesis failures. See Comprehensive Exam for more information. MSW students in the thesis option can also be required to withdraw from the program of study for documented lack of performance in research.

Students can find more information on McGill grading on the Grading and Grade Point Averages website.

For the reread policy, click here.

Language Policy

The language of instruction for most courses at McGill University is English; however, you may make arrangements to write term papers, examinations and theses in English or in French, except in courses where knowledge of the language is one of the objectives of the course. Please refer to the McGill Language Policy for more information.

Language Proficiency

Undergraduate

Some students may be asked to demonstrate an adequate level of English Language Proficiency prior to admission to McGill regardless of citizenship status or country of origin.

MSc(A) CFT Program

Some applicants to graduate programs at McGill University, including the Qualifying Year of study for entry into the MSW Non-Thesis program, will be required to demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English prior to admission. For more details, please consult the McGill English Language Proficiency website.

Normally, applicants meeting one of the following conditions are not required to submit proof of proficiency in English:

• Mother tongue (language first learned and still used on a daily basis) is English.
• Has lived and attended school, or been employed, for at least four consecutive years, in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language.
• Has obtained (or is about to obtain) an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized institution in Canada or the United States of America (Anglophone or Francophone).

Applicants who do not meet any of the above-listed conditions must demonstrate proficiency in English using one of the following options:

For non-native speakers of English, a minimum score of 220 on the computer version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 86 on the iBT version with a minimum score of 20 in each section is required. Fluency in English verbal expression is required as this program is focused on the development of communication skills which includes understanding meaning systems and language expression.

Graduate

Since English is the primary language of instruction and communication at McGill, you must demonstrate an adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of your citizenship status or country of origin.

McGill University has this language requirement to ensure that all students will have the opportunity for success in their chosen program. Below you will find information on when proof of proficiency is required, not required and where exemptions may occur.

Proof of proficiency - not required

Normally, if you meet any one of the following conditions you are not required to submit proof of proficiency in English:

• Mother tongue (language first learned and still used on a daily basis) is English
• Has obtained (or is about to obtain) an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction
• Has obtained (or is about to obtain) an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized institution in Canada or the United States of America (anglophone or francophone)
• Has lived and attended university, or been employed, for at least four consecutive years, in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language.

Proof of proficiency – required

If you do not meet any of the above-listed conditions, you must demonstrate proficiency in English using one of the following options:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum acceptable scores are:

iBT (internet based test)

FOR SOCIAL WORK APPLICANTS: the minimum TOEFL score is 96 overall (no less than 24 in each of the four component scores)

PBT (paper based test): Overall score is 590

The CBT is no longer being offered. CBT results will no longer be accepted as ETS no longer reports these results.

 N.B. an institutional version of the TOEFL is not acceptable.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): FOR SOCIAL WORK APPLICANTS: an overall ban score of 8.0. (each individual component of reading, writing, listening, and speaking must have a minimum score of 7.5) (Academic module).

Effective for applicants to Winter 2015,  McGill University only accepts IELTS scores submitted electronically by an IELTS test center. No paper test report forms will be accepted. An institutional code is NOT required. Applicants must directly ask the test center where the test is taken to send the test scores to McGill electronically using the IELTS system.  IELTS test centers worldwide are able to send scores electronically to McGill.  

• University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): a grade of “B” (Good) or higher
• University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of “C” (Pass) or higher
• Edexcel London Test of English – Level 4 – with an overall grade of at least “Merit Pass”
• Edexcel London Test of English – Level 5 – with an overall grade of at least “Pass”
• McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English or McGill Certificate of Proficiency – English for Professional Communication: Certificate of Proficiency awarded.

In each case, you must ensure that the official test results are sent directly to McGill (Institution Code: 0935) by the testing service. Students cannot upload their results themselves, nor can administration upload paper copies of their results. Applications cannot be considered if test results are not available. These scores are the general minimum; some departments may set higher requirements.

Exemptions

Applicants who have completed a degree program at universities in the following countries may be exempt from showing proof of proficiency in English.

*Applicants from the Chinese University of Hong Kong are required to provide proof of English proficiency.

±Some applicants from South Africa may be required to provide proof of English proficiency as not all universities teach in English.

Tuition and Fees

Undergraduate

Undergraduate fees are based on program and student residency status. Further information on fees can be obtained from the Student Accounts website.

Students can calculate their tuition fees here.

Graduate

McGill University graduate-level tuition fees are based on the program, credits taken, and student residency status. General information on tuition & other fees can be obtained from the Student Accounts website.

Students can determine their up-to-date tuition and other fees here.