McGill offers a single integrated BCL/JD degree taught in a comparative, transsystemic, and bilingual environment — you graduate with both civil and common law credentials. The LSAT is optional, but bilingualism is not: every admitted student must demonstrate advanced ability in one of English or French and solid comprehension in the other.
LSAT Policy
Optional, but consequential
The rules
RequiredNo
DisclosureMandatory if you have taken or will take it
Multiple scoresAveraged — not the highest
Latest recommended sittingNovember before the enrolment year
DeliveryMcGill receives results directly from LSAC
What this means in practice
Because scores are averaged rather than superscored, a weak sitting cannot be undone by a later strong one. And because disclosure is mandatory, you cannot simply omit a disappointing result — failing to disclose counts as material misrepresentation and can cost you your offer.
A January sitting risks a delayed review and lower odds, since admissions are rolling and results must arrive before your file is read.
McGill suggests the test is worth taking if your GPA sits below the 3.8 average. It explicitly does not recommend it for CEGEP applicants, where a strong score will not compensate for weak academics.
Language Requirements
Passive bilingualism required
The standard
C1 in English plus B2 comprehension in French, or C1 in French plus B2 comprehension in English (Common European Framework). Being “passively bilingual” in the second language means advanced intermediate ability in written and spoken comprehension.
Demonstrating French at B2
Automatically exempt: holders of a Quebec DCS/CEGEP diploma or a Quebec French Baccalaureate.
Quebec high school diploma (1985–86 onward)
Secondary education at a French-language institution
Six or more university/college credits taught in French in the past three years
A B2-equivalent accredited test: DELF, DALF, TCF, TEF, or Alliance Française Ev@lang
Demonstrating English at B2
Automatically exempt: Quebec DCS/CEGEP and Quebec French Baccalaureate holders, and graduates of English-language universities in Canada, the USA, Australia, Ireland, or the UK.
Secondary education where English was the primary language
IB Group 1 English with a score of 5 or higher
Six or more university/college credits in English in the past three years
European Baccalaureate English (Languages 1 or 2)
British curriculum GCSE / IGCSE / GCE at grade B or higher
A B2-equivalent accredited test: TOEFL or IELTS
Basic Eligibility
You must meet one of these
60 or more university credits
A Diploma of Collegial Studies (DCS) from a Quebec CEGEP
A French Baccalaureate from Collège international Marie de France or Collège Stanislas
Not eligibleFrench Baccalaureate from outside Quebec, International Baccalaureate, high school completion alone
In practiceAlmost all admitted “University” applicants completed a full undergraduate degree
Applicant Categories
Six lead to the BCL/JD
University Applicants
Who it's forUndergraduates completing degrees, graduates within the past five years, or those holding a diploma plus 60+ credits.
A minimum of 60 credits must be complete before law studies begin. Admission is unlikely if you are not completing your degree first.
Application
November 1
Supporting documents
November 8
Mature Applicants
Who it's forApplicants with a five-year or longer interruption from formal education — not necessarily consecutive.
Judged on the same criteria as everyone else, with emphasis on professional activities. Interviews may be required.
Application
November 1
Supporting documents
November 8
CEGEP / QFB Applicants
Who it's forThose completing a DCS from a CEGEP or a Quebec French Baccalaureate, or who completed one within five years with fewer than 30 undergraduate credits.
Limited to QFB from Collège Marie de France and Collège Stanislas; non-Quebec programs need 60+ university credits. Candidates in this category cannot pursue joint degrees.
Application
March 1
Supporting documents
March 7
Interview
Required if potentially admissible
Advanced Standing
Who it's forApplicants who have completed a law degree from a recognised university (a licence, if from the French system).
Limited spots, evaluated on performance in prior law studies. You must complete at least 75 credits at McGill and will typically retake Property and Contractual/Extra-Contractual Obligations. Equivalences are set by the Associate Dean.
Application
November 1
Supporting documents
January 15
Transfer Students
Who it's forApplicants who have completed at least one full-time year at a Canadian law faculty in good standing.
Limited spots. Emphasis falls on law-school performance and your rationale for transferring; winter results are required. You must complete 75+ credits at McGill — roughly 2.5 years. Certificate program credits do not transfer.
Application
May 1
Supporting documents
June 15
Portal window
Sept 1 – Nov 1 only
Indigenous Applicants
Optional designation
Who it's forSelf-identified First Nations, Inuit, Métis, or Indigenous persons connected to Turtle Island who also meet the University, Mature, or CEGEP requirements.
You must still qualify under one base category, and are assessed against that category’s standards. The personal statement limit is extended to 1,200 words.
Deadline
Follows your base category
Other Categories
These do not lead to the BCL/JD
Exchange Law Students
Who it's forStudents registered at universities with an official McGill exchange agreement.
Selected by home universities. Minimum cumulative B average. Limited spots, and course access is not guaranteed.
Fall / year-long
April 15
Winter only
September 15
Visiting Students
Letter of permission
Who it's forStudents who have completed two years at another law faculty and are in good standing.
Requires a Letter of Permission from your home university. The Director decides where capacity permits.
Application
May 1
Supporting documents
June 15
Comité des Équivalences / Chambre des Notaires
Who it's forHolders of a law degree from a recognised university seeking to meet Quebec practice requirements.
A non-degree program; courses do not count toward the BCL/JD. A final equivalency decision must be obtained before registration.
Application
May 1 or October 1
Supporting documents
July 1 or December 1
Supporting Documents
Personal Statement
Length750 words max — 1,200 for Indigenous applicants
LanguageEnglish or French — write in your stronger language
FormattingInclude word count and your name on every page
RevisionsOne submission only; cannot be changed after upload
Re-applicantsAn entirely new statement, with substantive changes
It should showcase the unique aspects of your motivations, background, and personality. McGill discourages relying on generative AI to prepare it.
Curriculum Vitae
LengthTwo pages max — nothing beyond is reviewed
FormatFaculty-provided template and instructions
Academic achievements, work experience, volunteer and community involvement
Extracurriculars, sports and hobbies, language skills
Indicate hours worked during studies and time committed to volunteering
References
NumberExactly two — no extras accepted
TypeAcademic, from current or recent professors or teachers
EmailInstitutional addresses only — Gmail, Hotmail etc. rejected
ProcessReferees receive an automated email with instructions
Personal references, McGill states flatly, “are not helpful.”
Transcripts
Complete academic record from all previous post-secondary studies
CEGEP and McGill transcripts load automatically
Include exchange program transcripts and language course documentation
Uploads are treated as unofficial; official copies are requested on acceptance
Submission rules
Upload through the Applicant Portal only — no email or mail except in exceptional circumstances. Only required documents are considered; extra materials are ignored. Files are reviewed only once complete, and submitted documents become McGill’s property and are not returned.
How Applications Are Assessed
What the committee weighs
Academic strength and intellectual ability
Language proficiency in English and French
Motivation for studying law
Extracurricular, community, and professional involvement
References and demonstrated character
No numerical weightings are published. Reviewers “consider all aspects of an application to get an overall sense of the candidate.” There are no rigid cutoffs, but evidence of academic ability remains critical.
What they look for
The committee seeks indicators of “intellectual curiosity, community engagement, insight (cultural, economic, political, social and otherwise), leadership skills, ability to work with others, openness to diversity, maturity, ethical sense, and judgement.”
Files are read by faculty members, senior law students, and administrative leadership. McGill emphasises diversity and a commitment to dismantling systemic barriers alongside academic excellence.
Application Process
1
Prepare
Review the admissions policy, eligibility, applicant categories, deadlines, document instructions, and FAQs.
2
Apply online
Through McGill’s online application system, open September 1.
3
Monitor the portal
Track your file status and outstanding documents in the Applicant Portal.
4
Upload documents
Via the Applicant Portal, following McGill’s upload instructions.
5
File review
Once complete, the committee compares your file against the applicant pool.
6
Decision
You receive an email when a decision has been rendered.
Fees & interviews
Application feeCAD $136.08, non-refundable
PaymentCredit card only — Visa, MasterCard, Amex
Second undergrad applicationFree
Interview length~25 minutes
Interview windowMarch–May (April–June for some categories)
Who is interviewedMandatory for CEGEP; possible for Mature, University, Indigenous
Possible outcomes
AdmitAccept or decline by the stated deadline
WaitlistAdmissible, but no seat currently available
InterviewRequested for further assessment
Refuse~85% of all candidates
Dates & Deadlines
Fall 2026 entry
September 1, 2025
Online application opens
November 1, 2025
Application deadline
University, Mature, and Advanced Standing categories
November 8, 2025
Supporting documents due
University and Mature categories
January 15, 2026
Supporting documents due
Advanced Standing
March 1, 2026
Application deadline
CEGEP and QFB candidates
March–May 2026
Interviews
May 1, 2026
Application deadline
Transfer candidates
Through June 2026
Decisions released
Rendered as soon as possible
August 31, 2026
Final waitlist decisions
No exceptions
“Late applications are not accepted. There are no exceptions.” Candidates should apply only if ready to begin on their application date, and international candidates must secure valid study status — student visa, permanent residency, or equivalent — before registration.
