Bachelor Programme
Biology
McGill's Biology Major studies life from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems, including development, behaviour and evolution. After introductory courses, students can focus on molecular, cellular and developmental biology, on conservation, ecology and evolution, or on neurobiology and behaviour. Classes get smaller in upper years, and students can earn credit for independent research projects in labs or in the field.
University
McGill University
Country
Canada
Level
Bachelor
Field
Biology
Duration
4 years for students entering from outside Quebec (120 credits, including a 30-credit freshman year)
Language
English
Campus
Montreal
Degree
Bachelor of Science (BSc), Major in Biology
Intake
September
Application Deadline
September 2027 entry: Canadian high school applicants (including Ontario) apply by February 1, 2027, with supporting documents due May 4, 2027. US high school and IB/international applicants apply by January 15, 2027, with supporting documents due March 1, 2027. Students at Canadian and US schools also self-report grades during set periods
Tuition Information
McGill's 2026-27 fee tables for new students list annual tuition of about CAD 12,986 (about CAD 15,563 with fees) for Canadian citizens and permanent residents from outside Quebec, and about CAD 64,786 (about CAD 68,338 with fees) for international students. Quebec residents pay lower Quebec rates. For out-of-province students in this degree, tuition is expected to rise each year (McGill estimates about 3%, set by the Quebec government); international students get guaranteed per-credit tuition for the program. Rates for fall 2027 entrants are not yet published.
Admission Requirements
- Apply directly to McGill through its online application, which opens October 1. For this program you apply to the Faculty of Science, Biological, Biomedical & Life Sciences group
- Ontario: OSSD, assessed on a Top 6 average of Grade 12 4U/4M courses (at least four at 4U/DU level, at most two 4M), including the prerequisites: 4U English or French, 4U Calculus and Vectors, and two of 4U Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Typical minimum range: low to mid 90s (math and science courses: low 90s; McGill lists these as last year's cut-offs)
- Other Canadian provinces: assessed on a Top 5 average of academic Grade 12 courses, including the prerequisites: Grade 12 English or French, Grade 12 pre-calculus or calculus math and two of biology, chemistry or physics. Typical minimum range: low to mid 90s (math and science: low to mid 90s)
- IB Diploma: McGill generally expects the Diploma with 5 or higher in each Higher and Standard Level subject. Prerequisites: math and two of biology, chemistry or physics with at least one at Higher Level (math must be Analysis and Approaches HL/SL or Applications and Interpretation HL). Typical minimum range: 36-39 points out of 42, with 6 in each math and science subject (5-6 if taken at HL)
- US high school: prerequisites: pre-calculus and two of biology, chemistry or physics. Typical range: B+ to A- unweighted average in grades 11 and 12, A- in each prerequisite math and science, ACT 29-31 or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 690-700 and Math 690-710. Submitting ACT or SAT scores is optional for fall 2027 applicants
- McGill publishes these as typical minimum admission ranges. Admission is competitive and limited by space, so cut-offs change from year to year, and meeting them does not guarantee admission
- English proficiency: no test is needed after four consecutive years of study in an English-primary country such as Canada or the US, with IB English A at 5 or higher, or with other qualifications on McGill's list. Otherwise McGill's minimums for this program are TOEFL iBT 90 (4.5 on the new scale), IELTS Academic 6.5 (each band 6.0), CAEL 70 (each part 60), Duolingo 125, PTE Academic 65 (each part 60), or Cambridge C1 Advanced grade B / C2 Proficiency grade C