BEng Civil Engineering
Design the infrastructure of the future at one of Canada's top engineering schools. McGill's CEAB-accredited programme covers structures, geotechnics, water, and transportation — in a vibrant bilingual city with a 3-year post-graduation work permit.
- ✓ Study at a QS World Top-30 university — Canada's most internationally recognised engineering school
- ✓ CEAB-accredited — the qualification you need to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in Canada
- ✓ Graduate into a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit — a direct pathway to Canadian permanent residency
McGill's Civil Engineering programme takes you from the fundamentals of mechanics, materials, and calculus through to advanced structural design, environmental engineering, geotechnics, and transportation systems. You'll work on design projects every year, with labs equipped for concrete testing, wind tunnel analysis, and hydraulic modelling.
Montreal is North America's most affordable major city for students, and Canada's immigration system rewards graduates with a work permit and a clear path to permanent residency — making McGill one of the highest-value engineering degrees in the world.
Same field, different universities
See how this programme compares with engineering degrees at other universities we work with.
| University | Country | Level | Duration | Tuition/year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill ★ This programme | 🇨🇦 Canada | Bachelor's | 4 years | CA$63,000 |
| Purdue (EE) QS #89 | 🇺🇸 USA | Bachelor's | 4 years | $31,104 |
| Melbourne (Eng) QS #14 | 🇦🇺 Australia | Master's | 2 years | AU$50,000 |
| RWTH Aachen QS ~90 | 🇩🇪 Germany | Master's | 2 years | €0 |
| Politecnico di Milano QS #111 | 🇮🇹 Italy | Master's | 2 years | €3,900 |
Your counsellor helps you compare and apply to multiple programmes simultaneously — at no cost.
What you'll need
| Academic | High school diploma with strong maths & physics (85%+ average recommended) | |
| Prerequisites | Calculus, physics, chemistry at advanced level | |
| English | IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90 (21 in each section) | |
| SAT / ACT | Not required for Canadian universities | |
| Documents | Transcripts, personal statement, passport | |
Grades not quite there? We offer pathway programmes into Canadian engineering schools — your counsellor will find the right route.
Core courses
Career outcomes
CA$65,000
Median starting salary for civil engineers in Canada
3-year PGWP
Post-Graduation Work Permit — open work permit
95%
Employed or in further study within 6 months
Top employers
SNC-Lavalin, WSP, Stantec, AECOM
Application timeline
Tuition fees & costs
| Tuition (international) | Per annum | CA$63,000 |
| Total degree cost | 4 years × CA$63,000 | CA$252,000 |
| Application fee | One-time | CA$129 |
| Student services & insurance | Per annum (approx.) | CA$2,200 |
Funding you may be eligible for
McGill offers competitive entrance scholarships for international students. Your counsellor matches you with every award you qualify for.
Your counsellor matches you with every scholarship you qualify for — university-based and government — at no cost.
Alternative funding options
Available for international students at top Canadian universities including McGill. No cosigner, collateral, or Canadian credit history required. Covers tuition and living expenses.
Study permit holders may work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks. McGill's Work Study Program offers on-campus positions tailored to your field of study.
Monthly budget in Montreal
Montreal is consistently ranked the most affordable major city in Canada — and one of the best student cities in the world. Rent and food are significantly cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver.
Study permit financial requirement: IRCC requires proof of CA$20,635/year for living expenses (in addition to tuition). A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a designated Canadian bank is the easiest way to satisfy this.
Canadian study permit requirements
| Permit type | Canadian Study Permit (issued on arrival) | |
| Letter of Acceptance | Required from McGill (DLI-listed institution) | |
| Application fee | CA$150 (online via IRCC) | |
| Biometrics | CA$85 (fingerprints & photo) | |
| Financial proof | CA$20,635/year living + first year's tuition (GIC recommended) | |
| Post-graduation (PGWP) | Up to 3 years — open work permit, no job offer needed | |
Your counsellor guides you through the full study permit process — from GIC purchase to biometrics appointment.
Hear from our students
"McGill's engineering programme is world-class, and Montreal is the most affordable student city I could have hoped for. My rent is half of what friends pay in Toronto. The PGWP gives me 3 years to build my career here — my counsellor helped me secure a CA$10,000 entrance scholarship."
"I chose McGill because the CEAB accreditation means I can work as a licensed engineer in Canada. The labs are incredible — we tested real concrete beams in our third year. My counsellor handled everything from the application to the GIC and study permit."
Frequently asked questions
Ready to apply to McGill?
Start your free application with a counsellor who knows Canadian engineering admissions inside out.