IELTS score requirement for McGill University
McGill University based in Montreal, Quebec applies a single IELTS floor at both undergraduate and graduate level: overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Programme-specific minimums sit above this floor; the breakdown below lists every programme on this page that does.
McGill's undergraduate minimum is overall band 6.5 with no individual element below 6.0. The Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Education, and Schulich School of Music can set higher requirements.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) minimum is overall 6.5. Most academic departments require 7.0 or higher for funded graduate programmes, particularly those involving teaching assistantships.
Last verified 2026-05-12. The figures on this page are taken from McGill University's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About McGill and its IELTS requirement
Based in Montreal, McGill teaches in English and is regularly ranked among the world's top 30 universities. Its baseline IELTS requirement is gentler than U of T's at the graduate level, though Medicine, Law, and Education routinely require 7.0+.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
Undergraduate applicants to McGill need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2. McGill's undergraduate minimum is overall band 6.5 with no individual element below 6.0. The Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Education, and Schulich School of Music can set higher requirements.
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (CEFR B2). Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) minimum is overall 6.5. Most academic departments require 7.0 or higher for funded graduate programmes, particularly those involving teaching assistantships.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several McGill programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes Faculty of Education (Teacher Training) (overall 7.0), Faculty of Medicine (MDCM) (overall 7.0), Desautels (MBA) (overall 7.0). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.
How to prepare for the McGill IELTS minimum
A target of 6.5 (CEFR B2) is achievable for candidates with strong school-level English and 4-8 weeks of focused IELTS practice. The fastest gains usually come from Listening and Reading because the question types are predictable and trainable. Sit a full-length practice test first, identify the section that pulls your overall down most, and drill that section before scheduling the live exam.
Programme-specific IELTS minimums
These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.
| Programme | Overall | Per-section |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Education (Teacher Training) | 7.0 | 6.5 |
| Faculty of Medicine (MDCM) | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Desautels (MBA) | 7.0 | 6.5 |
Other English tests McGill accepts
TOEFL iBT 86 minimum (with 20 in each component) for undergraduate; 90 for most graduate programmes. Duolingo English Test accepted at department discretion.
Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.
Common questions
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