McGill University

McGill University attracts bright students from across Canada and around the world. “McGill University is home to an exceptional and multicultural group of students, professors and staff. Together, they have contributed to our university’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research, while making a positive impact on the local and global communities that we serve,” says president Deep Saini.

McGill has cultivated more Rhodes Scholars and Nobel Prize laureates than any other school in Canada. Its faculty and graduates have won 10 Nobel Prizes for pioneering work in areas such as economics, radioactivity and fission. As a research-intensive school, McGill is affiliated with more than 50 research centres and networks. The university has particular strengths in biomedical and health science research, as well as a strong focus on sustainability. The main campus’s location, between Mount Royal Park and downtown Montreal, offers students plenty of opportunity for off-campus activities, such as visiting art galleries, festivals and hundreds of restaurants, cafés and bars. Students living off campus enjoy rent that is generally cheaper than in other major Canadian cities. Those at the smaller Macdonald campus enjoy a scenic location on the island of Montreal, about 35 kilometres west of downtown. It’s home to programs in agriculture, environmental sciences and nutrition. The Macdonald Campus Farm produces over 10,000 kilograms of produce, which is served at dining halls on the downtown campus throughout the year. 

Campus buzz: Incoming students can “shop” at Thrift McGill, a sustainability initiative where students leaving residence donate unwanted items from their dorms (in addition to clothing and other donations from staff and students) for students to pick up for free. 

Quick facts

Tuition (includes compulsory ancillary fees)
$5,480 ($15,153.17 out-of-province students) 

Median Entering Grades
Arts: 90% | Science: 92% | Commerce: 93% | Engineering: 93%

Student Body
Undergraduates: Full-time: 25,218 | Part-time: 2,681 
Graduates: Full-time: 10,127 | Part-time: 1,443 
International Students: First-year: 23.5% | Graduate: 41.6%

Housing Facts
Residence Spaces: 3,492 (guaranteed for first-years who meet a grade minimum)
Cost of double room:  $5,094 to $13,171
Cost of single room: $5,599 to $13,465
Cost of double room with meals: $15,283 to $20,687
Cost of single room with meals: $18,203 to $21,571
Cost of apartment-style: $5,094 to $11,216

Standout programs

Population and Global Health: Students learn the social, political, economic and environmental determinants of health and gain hands-on experience through community-based research. 
Education in Global Contexts: Students learn educational theory, issues and challenges and focus on understanding key issues facing education globally. Graduates pursue education careers in non-traditional contexts. 
Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry: This program prepares students for employment as scientists in regulatory, research, quality control or product development capacities.

Reputation

Ranked #3 (Medical Doctoral) among faculty members and hiring managers in the 2025 reputation survey, powered by Angus Reid Group.