Software Engineering at McGill: Admission Average
McGill University · Montreal, QC
What average do you need for Software Engineering at McGill?
Software Engineering at McGill University typically admits students with averages in the low-to-mid 90s, roughly 88–94%. It ranks #2 of 16 McGill programs by admission average.
Strong research program, good Montreal tech industry connections.
How competitive is it?
Of the 14 universities we track that offer it, 1 asks for a higher average and 11 ask for a lower average.
As a rough guide, 94% or higher is above the typical range, 88% up to 94% is inside it, and 84% up to 88% 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.
Software Engineering at other universities
- University of Waterloo – high 90s (94-97%+)
- University of British Columbia – high 80s-low 90s (BC) / low-mid 90s (OOP)
- McMaster University – high 80s-low 90s
- University of Ottawa – high 80s-low 90s
- Western University – high 80s
- Carleton University – high 80s
- Ontario Tech University – high 80s
- York University – high 80s
- Toronto Metropolitan University – high 80s
- University of Victoria – high 80s
- Concordia University – high 80s
- University of Calgary – high 80s
- University of New Brunswick – high 80s
Typical high school prerequisites
- English
- Advanced Functions
- Calculus & Vectors
- Physics
- Chemistry
First-year courses
- Calculus I & II
- Linear Algebra
- Programming Fundamentals
- Digital Circuits
- Engineering Profession
These are typical for Software Engineering programs across Canada. About the Software Engineering degree
After a Software Engineering degree
Software Engineering usually takes 4 years.
- Software Engineer – $85,000 to $180,000+
- AI / Machine Learning Engineer – $95,000 to $200,000+
- Game Developer – $65,000 to $130,000
- Cybersecurity Analyst – $75,000 to $150,000
- Waterloo SE and CS are both excellent but SE has a stronger focus on engineering process - CS is more research-oriented.
- SE graduates often command slightly higher starting salaries than general CS at non-Waterloo schools.
- The accreditation as an engineering program means you can pursue a P.Eng designation - uncommon in CS.
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
- 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
- Psychology – high 80s
- Political Science – high 80s
- Music (Schulich School) – Audition-based
- Nursing (BScN) – high 80s-low 90s
- Education – mid-to-high 80s