Psychology at McGill: Admission Average
McGill University · Montreal, QC
What average do you need for Psychology at McGill?
Psychology 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.
Large program with excellent research infrastructure.
How competitive is it?
Of the 34 universities we track that offer it, none ask for a higher average and 25 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.
Psychology at other universities
- McMaster University – high 80s
- Queen's University – high 80s
- University of Guelph – high 80s
- Wilfrid Laurier University – high 80s
- Simon Fraser University – high 80s
- Université de Montréal – high 80s
- Université Laval – high 80s
- Acadia University – high 80s
- Carleton University – mid-to-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
- Thompson Rivers University – mid-to-high 80s
- Concordia University – mid-to-high 80s
- Bishop's University – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Alberta – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Calgary – mid-to-high 80s
- MacEwan University – mid-to-high 80s
- Mount Royal University – mid-to-high 80s
- Dalhousie University – mid-to-high 80s
- St. Francis Xavier University – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Manitoba – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Winnipeg – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Regina – mid-to-high 80s
- University of New Brunswick – mid-to-high 80s
- Mount Allison University – mid-to-high 80s
- Memorial University of Newfoundland – mid-to-high 80s
- University of Prince Edward Island – mid-to-high 80s
- Western University – high 70s-80s
- University of Ottawa – high 70s-low 80s
- Brock University – high 70s-80s
- University of Windsor – high 70s-80s
- York University – high 70s-80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- One additional U/M course
- Biology (recommended)
First-year courses
- Introduction to Psychology
- Statistics
- Research Methods
- Biology
- Writing
These are typical for Psychology programs across Canada. About the Psychology degree
After a Psychology degree
Psychology usually takes 4 years. Many graduates go on to graduate or professional school.
- Psychiatrist – $250,000 to $400,000
- School Counsellor – $60,000 to $100,000
- Social Worker (RSW) – $50,000 to $90,000
- Professor / Academic – $80,000 to $180,000
- A psychology undergrad alone does not allow you to practice as a psychologist - a PhD or PsyD is required.
- Psychology is Canada's second most popular major - very high competition for graduate programs.
- Social work and counselling master's degrees are more direct paths to clinical work than psychology PhD 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
- Biology – high 80s
- Chemistry – high 80s
- Mathematics & Statistics – high 80s-low 90s
- Political Science – high 80s
- Music (Schulich School) – Audition-based
- Nursing (BScN) – high 80s-low 90s
- Education – mid-to-high 80s