Biology at McGill: Admission Average
McGill University · Montreal, QC
What average do you need for Biology at McGill?
Biology at McGill University typically admits students with averages in the high 80s, roughly 85–89%. It ranks #12 of 16 McGill programs by admission average.
Excellent research opportunities, strong pre-med pipeline.
How competitive is it?
Of the 11 universities we track that offer it, none ask for a higher average and 4 ask for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 89% or higher is above the typical range, 85% up to 89% is inside it, and 81% up to 85% is a reach. Cut-offs move every year, so apply to a mix of schools.
Ontario applicants are assessed on their top six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the program's prerequisites. Work out yours with the Best 6 calculator.
Biology at other universities
- Simon Fraser University – high 80s
- Mount Royal University – high 80s
- Acadia University – high 80s
- St. Francis Xavier University – high 80s
- Mount Allison University – high 80s
- University of Prince Edward Island – high 80s
- University of British Columbia – mid-to-high 80s (BC) / high 80s (OOP)
- University of Victoria – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Northern BC – mid-to-high 80s
- Bishop's University – mid-to-high 80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Biology
- Chemistry
- One additional U/M course
First-year courses
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Chemistry I & II
- Calculus
- Statistics
These are typical for Biology programs across Canada. About the Biology degree
After a Biology degree
Biology usually takes 4 years. Many graduates go on to graduate or professional school.
- Research Scientist – $60,000 to $140,000
- Veterinarian – $80,000 to $165,000
- Geneticist / Genomics Scientist – $65,000 to $140,000
- Climate / Environmental Scientist – $60,000 to $140,000
- A biology undergraduate degree alone has limited direct employment - graduate school or professional programs (medicine, dentistry) are the most common paths.
- Research lab experience during undergrad is essential for competitive grad school and medical school applications.
- Marine biology at UBC and UVic benefits from direct Pacific Ocean access - world-class programs.
Applying to McGill
McGill University is Canada's most internationally recognised university and consistently ranks among the world's top 30. Situated in downtown Montreal on the slope of Mount Royal, McGill has produced more Nobel laureates per capita than any other Canadian university. Quebec residents pay some of Canada's lowest tuition, but since Fall 2024 out-of-province Canadians pay a much higher rate (roughly $13,000/year in tuition).
McGill University is in Montreal, QC, was founded in 1821 and has about 40,000 students. Domestic tuition is about $3,100 a year and co-op is not widely offered.
Deadlines: direct application January 15 (most programs).
- Quebec residents pay very low tuition (~$3,100/year before fees). Out-of-province Canadians admitted since Fall 2024 pay about $13,000/year in tuition - roughly double typical Ontario tuition - so budget accordingly.
- McGill's bilingual environment is a genuine asset - some French helps but full fluency isn't required for most programs. Quebec's planned French-proficiency requirement for out-of-province students was struck down in court in 2025.
- Montreal's cost of living is significantly lower than Toronto or Vancouver - a major financial advantage.
Other McGill programs
- Medicine (MDCM) – high 90s (95%+) + Casper + interview
- Law (BCL/LLB) – low-to-mid 90s
- Computer Science – low-to-mid 90s
- Software Engineering – low-to-mid 90s
- Electrical Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Mechanical Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Chemical Engineering – high 80s-low 90s
- Management (Desautels) – low-to-mid 90s
- Economics – high 80s-low 90s
- Chemistry – high 80s
- Mathematics & Statistics – high 80s-low 90s
- Psychology – high 80s
- Political Science – high 80s
- Music (Schulich School) – Audition-based
- Nursing (BScN) – high 80s-low 90s
- Education – mid-to-high 80s