McGill's GRE policy is more nuanced than most Canadian universities — while the large majority of taught Master's programmes do not require it, several PhD and research-intensive programmes, most notably in Economics, do.
Does McGill Require the GRE?
| Programme Type | GRE Status |
|---|---|
| Most taught Master's programmes | Not required |
| Desautels Faculty of Management (MBA) | GMAT preferred; GRE occasionally accepted |
| Economics PhD | Often required |
| Engineering PhD / research Master's | Department-dependent, increasingly optional |
The Economics PhD Exception
McGill's Economics PhD programme has historically required the GRE, particularly the Quantitative section, as part of a rigorous, mathematically-focused admissions process consistent with top North American Economics doctoral programmes.
| Programme | Competitive Quant | Competitive Verbal |
|---|---|---|
| Economics PhD | 165 – 170 | 155 – 163 |
| Engineering PhD (where requested) | 160 – 168 | 150 – 160 |
What McGill Evaluates for Most Other Programmes
| Factor | Weight |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate GPA | Primary factor |
| Relevant coursework and academic references | High |
| Research proposal and supervisor fit (PhD) | Critical for research degrees |
| English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) | Mandatory, separate requirement |
GRE Is Separate From English Proficiency
Even in programmes where GRE matters, IELTS or TOEFL is a completely separate, mandatory requirement:
| Requirement | McGill Policy |
|---|---|
| GRE | Not required for most Master's; often required for Economics PhD |
| IELTS | Required — see our McGill IELTS Requirements guide |
| TOEFL | Required — see our McGill TOEFL Requirements guide |
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — the mandatory English requirement for McGill, regardless of GRE. AI-powered speaking and writing feedback. Or prepare for TOEFL.