How to Apply to Psychology at Concordia University: Direct Entry to the BA or BSc, and Requirements and Timeline for Canadian and Chinese High School Students and Transfer Students

Concordia University is in Montreal, Quebec. Psychology is offered by the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Science, mainly on the Loyola campus, as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc). You can apply directly to psychology as a major or specialization. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Concordia’s official information, for students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students and international students in Canada), students at high schools in China, and transfer students.

1. What you study and how to choose

• BA or BSc: both share the same core psychology courses; the difference is in electives, with BSc students taking more science courses (biology, chemistry, physics) and BA students more arts and humanities. The department notes that a science background may help students heading for neuroscience or medical school.
• Three options:
  • Major (42 credits): a good general degree for fields related to teaching, business, personnel or community work;
  • Specialization (60 credits): similar to honours but without research experience, honours seminars or a thesis;
  • Honours (66 credits): suited to graduate study. You apply after admission, normally to the departmental honours advisor after 30 credits, and should speak with a program advisor in first year. Applicants to the university can apply to the major or specialization.
• Curriculum: all students receive training in statistics and research methods, behavioural neurobiology and the history of psychology, covering five areas: social, developmental, clinical, neuroscience and cognition. The program page says it is accredited by the OPQ/CPA, so students can take the courses required for clinical graduate programs in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
• Length: three to four years (90 to 120 credits), depending on your academic background. Entry is in fall or winter.
• Related program: the department also offers a BSc in Neuroscience (specialization and honours) with hands-on labs.

2. Academic requirements: Canadian high schools

• Minimum cut-off averages:
  • BA: a B average, with no specific subjects and no math required;
  • BSc: a B average with B in math and sciences, including one math (pre-calculus, calculus or equivalent) and two sciences (biology, chemistry or physics).
  Concordia says these are indicators that may change with the applicant pool and do not guarantee admission. The SAT and ACT are not required.
• BC high school students:
  • a high school diploma with at least four approved Grade 12 academic subjects, one of which must be English 12, English Studies 12 or English 12 First Peoples;
  • no specific course requirements for the BA;
  • for the BSc: one of Principles of Math 12, Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12, plus two of Anatomy and Physiology 12 (Biology 12), Chemistry 12 and Physics 12.
  In Concordia’s grading table, a B in BC corresponds to 77–80.
• Documents: upload unofficial transcripts (front and back) when you apply; current students submit previous terms, a list of current courses and mid-year grades if available. Official transcripts are requested after admission.

3. Academic requirements: high schools in China

• Credential: Concordia lists the Senior Middle School Graduation Certificate (or equivalent) for China. It does not list a Gaokao requirement.
• Courses and grades: the same B average applies; the BSc also needs math and two of biology, chemistry and physics, each at B.
• Translation: transcripts not in English or French need a certified English or French translation; notarial certificates are not accepted. Upload transcripts in the original language as well.

4. English requirements

• Exemption: at least three full years at a secondary or post-secondary institution where English is the sole language of instruction and that is accredited by a body such as Cognia, NEASC or CIS; or three years of study in one of the listed English-speaking countries.
• Test scores (less than two years old):
  • IELTS Academic 6.0 with no component below 5.5; One Skill Retake and IELTS Online are accepted;
  • TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) 70, or 4.0 with no section below 3.5 for tests from January 2026; institution code 0956.00; MyBest scores accepted;
  • Duolingo 105 (no subscore below 90); CAEL 50 (no part below 50); Cambridge C1 Advanced 175 (no part below 165) or C2 Proficiency 190 (no part below 165); PTE Academic 50 (46 in speaking and writing).
• After admission: depending on your score, you may take a placement test that determines whether you need ESL courses, usually in first year.
• Timing: if your scores are missing, Concordia emails you and you have three weeks to upload them, or a scheduled test date if you cannot.
• Compared with other schools: IELTS 6.0 and TOEFL 70 are lower than most schools in this series, which mostly ask for IELTS 6.5.

5. Transfer students

• Minimums: at least a C average in post-secondary studies. Psychology requires a B for the BA, and for the BSc a B overall with B in math and sciences and completed courses in calculus, biology, chemistry and physics.
• Transfer credit: your offer states how many credits transfer, often as general credits that may not all count toward program requirements. For specific course credit, submit the faculty’s transfer credit form with detailed course outlines within one year of starting; courses need a C- or higher.
• Residency: at least 45 credits, and in some programs 60, must be completed at Concordia.

6. Timeline for fall 2027 entry

• February 1, 2027: recommended latest date for U.S. and international applicants, to allow time for immigration documents; applying earlier is strongly recommended.
• March 1, 2027: fall application deadline. Concordia may close admission to a program at any time after the deadline.
• Winter entry (January 2028): deadline November 1, with August 1 recommended for international applicants.
• English scores: upload within three weeks of Concordia’s request.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition (per credit, fall 2026 rates):
  • Quebec residents: CAD $103.92 per credit;
  • Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are not Quebec residents (newly admitted from fall 2024): CAD $432.85 per credit, including a Quebec government forfaitaire of $328.93. At 30 credits a year, that is about CAD $12,986 in tuition, plus fees;
  • international rates are not listed on the static page; use Concordia’s tuition and fee estimator.
• Concordia Undergraduate Excellence Award: a guaranteed CAD $4,000, with no application. You must:
  • be admitted to a bachelor’s program for fall 2027 or winter 2028;
  • be completing Grade 12, CEGEP, the IB Diploma or the French Baccalaureate at an institution in Canada;
  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with no previous post-secondary study (other than CEGEP), enrolling full-time (at least 12 credits per term);
  • have an A or A+ high school average (or IB 35+).
• Other support: entrance scholarships are assessed automatically on academic excellence, with only selected candidates notified; an entrance bursary program supports new students with financial need.

Checklist

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Apply to the BA or BSc in Psychology (major or specialization) by March 1, 2027
• BC: at least four Grade 12 academic courses including English Studies 12; the BSc also needs Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12 and two sciences, with B overall and in math and sciences (about 77–80 in BC)
• Upload unofficial transcripts; Canadian citizens and permanent residents with an A average automatically receive CAD $4,000

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by February 1, 2027 if possible; graduation certificate and transcripts with certified English or French translations
• B average; for the BSc, math and two sciences at B
• IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component), TOEFL 70 (4.0 on the new scale) or Duolingo 105

Transfer students:

• A B average for the BA; for the BSc a B with B in math and sciences and courses in calculus, biology, chemistry and physics
• At least 45 credits at Concordia; request specific transfer credits within one year

Sources: Concordia University, Psychology program and admission criteria; Department of Psychology: BA vs BSc; Undergraduate application requirements; Canadian curricula course requirements; International qualifications; English language proficiency; Transfer students; Application deadlines; Undergraduate Excellence Awards; Scholarships and funding; Undergraduate tuition rates. Information is for fall 2027 entry; cut-off averages are minimums and tuition reflects fall 2026 rates. Check Concordia for the latest details.