About McGill University

Undergraduates need to apply to McGill University directly and select a program of study in their application. There are also different admission requirements and deadlines depending on where you attended high school.

Need to know:

• Applications for the fall semester open October 1 of the previous year and close on March 1 for Québec residents, February 1 for Canadian residents outside of Québec, and January 15 for international applicants.
• The minimum admission average is B+.
• Tuition and fees are $5110.14 for Québec residents, $11,043.24 for non-Québec Canadians, and $58,506.24 for international students. You can find tuition fee information here.
• You can find specific application timelines, how to apply, and admission requirements based on your high school experience here.
• Undergraduate students are represented by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU).

Nitty-gritty:

• The department of Physics is a part of the Faculty of Arts and Science, and there are several programs that may be combined with physics.
• If you live in an area where English is not the primary language, you may need to submit acceptable evidence of English Proficiency.
• Degree specific information can be found here.
• For Physics Programs, you will need to have completed the following courses or equivalent:
  • Grade 12 English or French (depending on language of school)
  • Grade 12 Math
  • Two of Grade 12 Biology, Chemistry, or Physics
• The approximate admission cutoff for Physics programs is 93%.

Graduate students need to apply through Graduate Admissions and specify a program and supervisor in their application. We encourage you to reach out to our faculty to build a relationship in addition to the Graduate Program Coordinator/Administrator. Programs have different requirements and application deadlines.

Need to know:

• Applications can be submitted at any time, and are due on December 15 for Fall 2022. For the Winter 2023 term, applications are due July 15, 2022 for International applicants and September 15, 2022 for Domestic applicants.
• Minimum net funding for domestic students is $21, 482, and $18,530 for international students, after tuition and fees.
• You can find tuition fee information, financial support information, and sample funding scenarios for physics graduate students here. In addition, you can use the graduate tuition and fees calculator.
• You can find information about how to apply here.
• You can find the list of programs and specific entrance requirements here.
• You are encouraged to apply for external funding such as NSERC.
• Graduate students are represented by the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS).

Nitty-gritty:

All physics graduate programs require previously completed degrees to have a minimum academic standing of Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) 3.0 out of a possible 4.0, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two years of full-time studies.

Physics:

• Annual Base funding: Minimum of  $26,700
• Deadlines: December 15 (Fall), July 15 (International) or September 15 (Domestic) (Winter)
• Programs: MSc (1-2 years), PhD (4 years), direct-entry PhD (5 years)
• Requirements: BSc. for MSc., MSc. for Ph.D, possibility of direct-entry PhD for exceptional students

Potential postdoctoral fellows applying to the McGill University apply directly to a research group, supervisor, or competition. Current opening with the department of physics can be found here.

Need to know:

• Apply directly to a faculty member, not through a central office unless specified in the posting.
• Postdoctoral Fellows may be considered students or employees based on their funding scenario.
• Postdoctoral Fellows are represented by the Association of Postdoctoral Fellows (APF) and may be a part of the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) and/or the Association of McGill University Research Employees/Public Service Alliance of Canada (AMURE/PSAC) Bargaining unit.

Nitty-gritty:

• Position length is typically 2-3 years, but more than one fellowship may be held consecutively with the same supervisor.
• External and internal funding opportunities are available.
• There is not a standardized salary for postdoctoral fellows at McGill, as your base annual salary is set by the supervisor and external funding. The minimum base salary stated in the AMURE collective agreement is $34,611 and on average is $46,630.

The range of employment options at the McGill University covers engineers, technicians, research support staff, administrative staff, and more.

Need to know:

• Critical policies and tools are available through the Human Resources website.
• Staff positions will likely be represented by the Association of McGill University Research Employees/Public Service Alliance of Canada (AMURE/PSAC) or McGill University Non-Academic Certified Association/Public Service Alliance of Canada (MUNACA/PSAC)

Nitty-gritty:

• The category of a position dictates the compensation and other contract information such as benefits.
• The starting salary range for MUNACA staff is $33,250 – $68,250, and for management, professions, and excluded positions is $40,560 – $121,200. The current salary grid can be found here for management, professional, and excluded positions, and here for MUNACA.
• The collective agreements for staff positions under any and all McGill associated unions can be found here. Many unions are currently in negotiations.