How to Apply to Computer Science at McGill University: Apply to the Physical, Earth, Math and Computer Sciences Group in Science or to Arts, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At McGill University in Montreal, computer science is taught by the School of Computer Science. High school applicants do not choose “computer science” as a program on the application; they apply to a faculty and group for the degree they want, and McGill’s admissions office decides centrally on grades. Here is what you need to know for September 2027 entry, based on McGill’s admissions website and the School of Computer Science, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC students and international students in Canada), and transfer students.

1. Three degrees and how to apply

• B.Sc. (Faculty of Science): the School says most students choose this. On the application, select Faculty of Science and “B Sc Physical, Earth, Math & Computer Sci” for all Computer Science or Software Engineering majors (except the joint Computer Science and Biology major). The main programs are the Major in Computer Science (with an optional Computer Games option), Honours in Computer Science and the Major in Software Engineering.
• B.A. (Faculty of Arts): suited to students with less science but a good math background and an aptitude for logical reasoning. Combining the Computer Science major concentration with the Supplementary Computer Science minor gives almost the same computer science content as the B.Sc. major, in the same classes. High school entrants start in the Freshman Program and declare at the end of first year.
• B.A.&Sc.: combines a 36-credit Computer Science or Software Engineering major concentration with an Arts major concentration or two minors.
• Alternate program: you can list an alternate program; each choice is decided independently.
• Another route: the Faculty of Engineering offers a separate Bachelor of Software Engineering (B.S.E.) and Computer Engineering, which require physics and chemistry; they are not covered here.

2. Structure and internships

• Foundation year (U0): students from high schools outside Quebec usually take four years and 120 credits, starting with a 30-credit freshman year; Quebec CEGEP graduates usually receive 30 credits and finish in three years.
• First-year courses: the School recommends two calculus courses (one of MATH 139/140/150, plus MATH 141 or 151), and if possible MATH 133 (linear algebra) and COMP 202. Students with programming experience may start with COMP 250.
• Paid internships: the Faculty of Science offers the Industrial Practicum (IP, one term of about four months) and the Internship Year in Science (IYS, 8, 12 or 16 months, B.Sc. only). Completing at least two terms earns an Internship Program designation. International students can do an IP in summer only and an IYS in any term, with a co-op work permit. B.A. and B.A.&Sc. students can do the IP but not the IYS.

3. Students at Canadian high schools (outside Quebec and Ontario, including BC)

• Science prerequisites: Grade 12 English or French (by language of instruction), Grade 12 math (pre-calculus or calculus) and two of Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry or Physics. In BC, Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12 counts; IB SL Math: Applications and Interpretation does not count as a math prerequisite.
• Assessment: McGill’s calculation of your top five academic Grade 12 courses, including prerequisites.
• Past ranges (Physical, Earth, Math and Computer Sciences group): top-five average in the low 90s, and math and science courses in the high 80s to low 90s. These are guidelines only and do not guarantee admission.
• Faculty of Arts: only Grade 12 English or French is required; past ranges were high 80s to low 90s for the top five and mid to high 80s in English or French. A strong math background matters for the computer science concentration.
• Ontario: 4U English or French, 4U Calculus and Vectors (MCV4U) and two of 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics, on the top six; past cut-offs for this group were low 90s overall and high 80s to low 90s in math and science.
• Deadlines: apply by February 1; Major Entrance Scholarship by February 7; supporting documents by May 4. Self-report grades January 6 to February 1 (optional) and March 1 to May 1 (mandatory).
• Fee status: students at Canadian high schools who are not citizens or permanent residents pay international fees.

4. Students at high schools in China

• What is assessed: Senior 1, Senior 2 and midyear Senior 3 grades, plus all available Huikao results in numeric or letter form. If Huikao results are pass/fail or not offered, McGill prefers ACT, SAT or AP results; the SAT cannot replace the Huikao.
• Gaokao: if you write it, arrange for final official results to be sent.
• Science prerequisites: mathematics and at least two of biology, chemistry or physics through senior high school.
• Minimum: normally 85% or higher in each year and in all prerequisites; many programs need more, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. McGill does not publish separate past grades for Chinese applicants to this group.
• Deadlines: apply by January 15; Major Entrance Scholarship by January 21; documents by March 1.
• A-Level, IB, AP: IB students are assessed on a top-five average and may receive credit for final results; AP results may earn advanced standing. See McGill’s international pages for A-Level details.

5. English requirements

• Applicants who have lived and studied for at least four years in a country where English is the primary language are exempt.
• TOEFL iBT: from January 21, 2026 (new format), Arts and Science require 4.5 overall, 4.5 in reading, listening and writing and 4.0 in speaking; earlier tests need 90 overall with 21 in each section. MyBest is not accepted.
• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; Duolingo: 125.

6. Decisions, fees and scholarships

• Decisions: mid-November to mid-May for high schools outside Canada (other than the US); mid-January to mid-May for Canadian high schools outside Quebec and Ontario. Rejected high school applicants may request a review within two weeks.
• Application fee: CAD 140.16; a second application for the same term is free.
• Tuition (international students starting fall 2026, 2026-27, 30 credits): B.Sc. CAD 64,785.90, or CAD 68,378.74 with fees and international health insurance; B.A. CAD 54,000, or CAD 57,646.94 in total. Rates for 2027 entry will be published later.
• Entrance scholarships: a one-year CAD 3,000 award (automatic); Major Entrance Scholarships of CAD 12,000–48,000 over four years (separate application); the Mainland China and Hong Kong Entrance Scholarship of CAD 10,000 for one year (separate application).

7. Transfers

• From another university into Science: one semester each of differential and integral calculus, plus two semesters of biology, chemistry or physics with labs.
• Past minimum CGPA (Physical, Earth, Math and Computer Sciences group): 3.7 in 2024, 3.7–4.0 in 2025, and 3.8–4.0 in 2026; math and science prerequisite results are also reviewed.
• Deadlines: May 1 for Canadian universities and January 15 for universities outside Canada; detailed math and science syllabi (with textbook titles and editions) are required. Transfer applicants are not eligible for entrance scholarships or reviews.
• Current McGill students: students already in Science change program in Minerva; students in other Science groups apply for an intra-faculty transfer; students in Arts, Engineering, Management or other faculties apply for an inter-faculty transfer to the B.Sc.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by January 15 to the Faculty of Science Physical, Earth, Math and Computer Sciences group (or to Arts)
• Math and at least two sciences through senior high, 85%+ each year; Huikao results; send Gaokao results if written
• TOEFL 4.5 (new) or 90 (old), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 125
• Apply for the Major Entrance Scholarship and the Mainland China and Hong Kong award by January 21

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

• English 12, Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12, plus two of Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry or Physics; past top-five averages in the low 90s
• Apply by February 1 and self-report grades on time; Major Entrance Scholarship by February 7

Transfer students:

• One semester each of differential and integral calculus plus two lab science semesters; past CGPAs of 3.7 or higher
• Deadlines May 1 (Canadian universities) or January 15 (outside Canada)

Sources: McGill University, Computer Science (Faculty of Science); Computer Science (Faculty of Arts); School of Computer Science: choosing a major; School of Computer Science: applying; School of Computer Science: foundation year; School of Computer Science: internships; School of Computer Science: transferring in; Canadian high schools outside Quebec and Ontario; Ontario high schools; China (PRC); University transfer requirements; English proficiency; Admission decision dates; Undergraduate fees; Entrance scholarships. Information is for September 2027 entry (fees are 2026-27 rates); admission grades are past ranges. Check McGill for the latest details.