The University
McGill University is one of Canada's best-known institutions of higher learning and one of the leading universities in the world. With students coming to McGill from some 150 countries, our student body is the most internationally diverse of any research-intensive university in the country. McGill was founded in 1821 thanks to a generous bequest by James McGill, and since then, we've grown from a small college to a bustling university with two campuses, 11 faculties, some 300 programs of study, and more than 36,000 students. The University also partners with four affiliated teaching hospitals to graduate over 1,000 health care professionals each year.
There's no place in the world quite like Montreal. It is a city steeped in culture and infused with internationalism. Of Montreal's 3.6 million residents, nearly 800,000 were born outside of Canada. A further 220,000 are students at universities or other professional post-secondary programs, making Montreal one of the world's most student-friendly cities. Its safe, socially vibrant setting makes Montreal one of the world's most livable cities.
Exchange Information
- Undergraduate and graduate exchange.
- Academic Year: September - April (Fall Term: September - December; Winter Term: January - April).
- Only accept full-year exchange students starting in the Fall term. Students starting in the Winter term are admitted for a single semester only.
- You may take courses offered by the faculty (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Arts, Desautels Faculty of Management, Education, Science, or the Schulich School of Music.
- Minimum course load of 12 credits per term (normally 4 courses) or a maximum of 15 credits per term.
- Course level: 100 to 500 are undergraduate courses; 600 - 700 are graduate courses.
- You must enroll in the Otago equivalent programme at McGill, OR present sufficient educational background in that subject area.
- Only under exceptional circumstances you may take three (3) credits per term outside of the McGill faculty to which they have been accepted, and only with the written permission of the two concerned faculties.
- Desautels Faculty of Management - due to high demand, registration for more than 2 courses per area cannot be accommodated.
- Music students - it is recommended you start in the Fall (Otago's semester two). Please look closely at prerequisites.
- Normally, Undergraduate students wishing to register for 500 level courses must be registered in their final year of study at their home university.
Relevant Links
- Courses and Programs
- Faculties and Schools
- Course numbering system
- Important Dates
- Accommodation at McGill
- Living costs
- Pre-arrival information
- Disabilities Services
- Information on student visas and insurance for students going on exchange
Exchange Experiences
- 2023 S2 MSC HUNT - BM (PDF)
- 2023 S1 BAppSc COMO PHSI COSC AS
- 2019 S2 BA PHIL AP
- 2019 S1 BASc ANTH PYSC ES
- 2019 S1 BA Hons FREN ENGL BD
- 2019 S1 LLB Hons BA MUSI KE
- 2018 S2 & 2019 S1 BCom ACCT FINC NC
- 2018 S1 BCom ACCT FINC EB
- 2018 S1 BCom INTB ZS
- 2017 S2 BA CLAS LLB SW
- 2017 S2 BA PPE AMcD
- 2017 S2 BCom MANT BSc ECOL NW
Further Information
For further information about Otago Global Student Exchange, please contact an Exchange Adviser.