Language of instruction
With a reputation for excellence that reaches around the globe, McGill University has carved out a spot among the world's greatest universities. Notable alumni include Justin Trudeau, Leonard Cohen, and William Shatner.
McGill is located in the heart of downtown Montreal – one of the world’s most student-friendly cities, steeped in culture. It’s not uncommon for Montrealers to commute across centuries-old cobblestones on their way to gleaming skyscraper offices. Take a hike up Mont-Royal between classes, catch a show at one of the city’s many music festivals, and indulge in a mouth-watering serving of poutine.
Semester dates
| UQ Semester | Host Semester | Dates |
| Semester 1 | Winter Term | January–April |
| Semester 2 | Fall Term | September–December |
* Students wishing to attend McGill University for a full year exchange, must begin their exchange in the Fall semester.
** Students are typically only able to participate in a single semester of exchange at the McGill University, due to the popularity of this university.
Guides and additional information
McGill University has online resources to help get the most out of your exchange:
Campuses
McGill University has 2 campuses across the state. UC exchange programs are available at:
- Downtown
- MacDonald Campus
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Student testimonials
- B ScienceSemester 1, 2019
What even is -30 degrees?
- B Engineering/ScienceSemester 1, 2019
- B MusicSemester 1, 2019
I have learnt so much and made so many great friends and connections that will last me a lifetime.
Full-time study load
15 credits at McGill is equivalent to 8 UQ units.
Minimum academic requirements
You will need a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.5 to study at McGill.
Find courses
Search the Credit Precedent Database to find courses offered by your host university that have been previously approved for credit at UQ. The database should be used as a general guide only.
Search the McGill course catalogue if courses do not appear in the database.
Study areas taught in English
Course restrictions
You are only permitted to take up to 1 course outside your admitted faculty. Therefore, exchange students must choose the majority of courses from one of the below McGill faculties/Schools:
- Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
- Architecture
- Arts
- Engineering
- Management
- Music
- Science
The following faculties have limited enrolment availability, with particular restrictions in some areas:
- Commerce and business
- Registration in more than 2 commerce and business courses cannot be accommodated. You are recommended to save general electives in order to complete commerce and business courses at McGill.
- Finance and accounting are unavailable to exchange students.
- Sciences
- Biology / Cell Biology / Biochemistry / Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology / Anatomy
- Engineering
- Chemical, Civil and Mechanical disciplines are especially limited.
- Places in exchange engineering and courses are subject to availability and is not guaranteed.
- UQ is only able to nominate 2 engineering students per semester.
- MIME and FACC are generally more accessible to exchange students.
The following courses, among others, are not open to exchange students:
- Law and Architecture
- Courses offered at McGill University by some professional faculties (Medicine, Dentistry)
- Research project courses and thesis courses
- Special topics courses
- Courses in the Centre for Continuing Education.
McGill has two campuses at which exchange students can study. See the list of programs offered at the Macdonald campus. Alll other programs offered to exchange students will be based at the Downtown campus.
Additional academic information
Course numbering at McGill:
- 100-499: Undergraduate
- 500-599: Qualified senior undergraduate & postgraduate
- 600-799: Postgraduate
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Accommodation
McGill provides everything you need to know about finding student housing while on exchange, including on-campus and off-campus options.
* On-campus housing provides priority to first year degree students, so on-campus housing is limited and not guaranteed.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Montreal is similar to that of Brisbane. To help students budget for exchange, McGill has provided an estimate of basic living costs for students in Montreal.
Financial support
A range of funding for student exchange including scholarships, grants and loans are available to UQ students.
Insurance
Students approved to participate in the Student Exchange Program are automatically covered by UQ’s Travel Insurance for the country of their host university only.
For more information, read the Student Travel Insurance Policy Summary on UQ’s Travel Insurance web page (login required).
If you plan to travel outside of your host country, you should purchase additional insurance.
McGill requires all international students and any accompanying dependents to participate in the compulsory McGill International Health Insurance plan.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.
Organise your visa
It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa for the country where you will be studying. As the Global Experiences team is not a visa-issuing authority we cannot provide visa advice.
Contact the High Commission of Canada for visa information.
McGill provides information about various visa options while on exchange.
Travel risk levels
The University of Queensland cannot and does not allow students to travel to any country with a risk level of 3 (Reconsider your need to travel) or above, as assessed by the Australian Government.
If a country's risk level changes to 3 or above, Global Experience programs to that country are suspended until the risk level improves.
Find out the risk level and travel advice for your host country on the Smartraveller website.
Register your travel plans
We recommend that you register your travel plans on the Smartraveller website so that the Australian Government can contact you or your family in an emergency.
Non-Australian citizens should register with their closest consulate.
Exchange deadlines
May 31 for Semester 1 of the following year.
October 31 for Semester 2 of the following year.