McGill Abroad is a program offered by the university that allows students to travel internationally for their studies or for an internship. Students may study at one of McGill’s partner universities, earning transferable credits while paying the same tuition as a full-time McGill student. No matter which international university-sanctioned activity students wish to participate in, The Tribune explains how McGill Abroad works, and what students must know before travelling abroad.
How do you go on exchange?
There are several steps that must be followed before students can go on exchange. The first is to explore McGill exchange partners, which are compiled in a list that students can filter by region, destination, and faculties offered.
The next step is to complete an application to the McGill exchange program, which is submitted through Minerva. Eligible applicants will be offered a nomination to a partner university. After accepting their nomination, students will receive instructions on how to apply for admission to their specific host university.
If accepted to their host university, students must then register for their new courses and pay their McGill tuition. Once these steps are completed, students are ready to embark on their study abroad program.
How do you transfer credits from your exchange university?
To obtain transfer credits, students must consult course requirements and have their studies pre-approved by McGill before going on exchange. Courses must meet content and credit equivalency requirements, which may be verified with the Course Equivalency Database.
Grades earned at an exchange university will not be calculated into students’ McGill CGPA. After their exchange, students must submit the Credit Assessment Form on Minerva approximately four months after the end of their studies.
Where can you find opportunities for an international internship?
McGill offers several resources for students looking to intern abroad. Vault is a website accessible only to McGill students which offers international internships and job opportunities. Other avenues for international internship opportunities include International Experience Canada, Canada World Youth, and the Programme de stages en organisations internationales (French only).
Arts students wanting to complete an internship abroad may consult the David M. Culver Center Arts Internship Office for internship postings. Here, students can view postings and apply for internships for Summer 2026.
What prerequisites are necessary to go abroad?
To apply to the McGill Exchange program, students must first fulfill several criteria. Eligible students must have a CGPA of at least 3.0, meet faculty-specific requirements, complete at least 24 McGill credits before their semester abroad, and verify their personal information in Minerva.
Beyond these prerequisites, students must complete Pre-Departure Orientation, a course offered through MyCourses. The course covers logistical information necessary to study abroad concerning pre-departure preparations and the eventual return to McGill. The course is offered on a monthly basis but it is recommended that students complete it three to six months prior to their time abroad.
What is the timeline for the application processes?
After students have chosen their host university, they must submit their applications. While the application deadline for going on exchange in the Fall 2026 Term has already passed, students may begin applying for exchange in the Winter 2027 Term in April. Eligible candidates will then be nominated to exchange partner universities by February for Fall and full-year exchanges, or by early August for Winter exchanges.
Students must then independently apply for admission to the host university. Host universities will notify McGill students of their acceptance in a few months following their application.
Students wanting to complete an internship at the David M. Culver Centre Arts Internship Office must submit their applications by Feb. 8. The office will notify students if they are selected for an interview; if chosen, they have three days to accept the offer.
For more information regarding McGill-sanctioned activities abroad, visit the McGill Abroad website and consult their FAQ page.
