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.
4 years
Full-time duration
CA$63,000
Tuition / year (intl.)
Sep 2026
Next intake (Fall)
IELTS 6.5
English requirement
Overview
✓ 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.
Compare options
Same field, different universities
See how this programme compares with engineering degrees at other universities we work with.
Your counsellor helps you compare and apply to multiple programmes simultaneously — at no cost.
Entry requirements
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.
What you'll study
Core courses
01 Structural Analysis & Design
02 Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulics
03 Geotechnical Engineering
04 Transportation Engineering
05 Environmental Engineering
06 Capstone Design Project
After you graduate
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
How to apply
Application timeline
June – December 2025
Prepare your application
Gather transcripts, take IELTS/TOEFL, draft your personal statement. Your counsellor reviews every element free of charge.
January 15, 2026
Submit via McGill's application portal
McGill's application deadline for most engineering programmes is January 15. Your counsellor submits and tracks your application — early applications are encouraged.
March – May 2026
Receive your offer
McGill releases decisions on a rolling basis from March. Your counsellor follows up and helps you compare offers from other Canadian universities.
May – August 2026
Accept, deposit & study permit
Accept your offer, pay the deposit, purchase a GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate), and apply for your Canadian study permit online through IRCC.
September 2026
Welcome week & start
Arrive in Montreal for McGill's Orientation Week and begin your BEng Civil Engineering programme.
Fees & funding
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
Scholarships
Funding you may be eligible for
McGill offers competitive entrance scholarships for international students. Your counsellor matches you with every award you qualify for.
McGill Major Entrance Scholarship
McGill University · Merit-based
CA$3,000–$12,000
Coverage: Renewable annual tuition reduction
Eligibility: Outstanding academic record (top of class)
Duration: Renewable for up to 4 years
Deadline: Automatic consideration on admission
Source: mcgill.ca/studentaid, 2026
McGill One-Year Entrance Scholarship
McGill University · Academic merit
CA$3,000–$5,000
Coverage: First-year tuition reduction
Eligibility: Strong academic record at admission
Duration: First year only
Deadline: Automatic consideration on admission
Source: mcgill.ca/studentaid, 2026
Government Scholarships (home country)
Saudi SACM, Egyptian Mission, etc.
Full award
Coverage: Tuition + living expenses + flights
Eligibility: Varies by country — engineering often prioritised
Duration: Full degree
Deadline: Varies — your counsellor checks eligibility
Source: sacm.org.sa / mohe.gov.eg, 2026
🎓
Your counsellor matches you with every scholarship you qualify for — university-based and government — at no cost.
Loans & financing
Alternative funding options
Prodigy Finance
International student loan · No cosigner required
Varies
Available for international students at top Canadian universities including McGill. No cosigner, collateral, or Canadian credit history required. Covers tuition and living expenses.
On- & off-campus employment
Earn while you study in Canada
Up to 24 hrs/week
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.
Living costs
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.
Rent (shared apartment)CA$700–$1,100
Food & groceriesCA$300–$500
Transport (OPUS student)CA$56
Phone & internetCA$50–$80
Books & suppliesCA$100–$150
Personal & leisureCA$150–$300
Estimated totalCA$1,356–$2,186/month
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.
Study permit
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.
Student stories
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."
OH
Omar H.
BEng Civil Engineering, McGill — Class of 2027 · 🇪🇬 Egypt
"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."
LT
Lina T.
BEng Civil Engineering, McGill — Class of 2026 · 🇱🇧 Lebanon
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the SAT or ACT to apply to McGill?
No. Canadian universities do not require the SAT or ACT. McGill evaluates international applicants based on their high school transcripts, prerequisite courses (maths, physics, chemistry), and English proficiency scores. A strong academic average (85%+) is recommended for engineering.
Can I stay and work in Canada after graduating?
Yes. As a graduate of a 4-year programme at a Designated Learning Institution, you're eligible for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This is an open work permit — no job offer needed. Canadian work experience then earns you points toward permanent residency through Express Entry.
Is Montreal an English-speaking city?
Montreal is officially bilingual. McGill itself is an English-language university — all courses, exams, and administration are in English. In daily life, most Montrealers speak both French and English, and you can live comfortably in English. Learning some French is a bonus for employability in Quebec.
What is a GIC and do I need one?
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is a CA$20,635 deposit at a designated Canadian bank that proves you can support yourself financially. It's the simplest way to meet the study permit's financial requirement — the money is released to you in monthly instalments once you arrive. Your counsellor helps you set this up.
How competitive is McGill Engineering admission?
McGill Engineering is competitive but accessible with the right preparation. The Faculty of Engineering typically looks for a high school average of 85% or above with strong maths and science marks. Your counsellor reviews your profile, helps you meet prerequisites, and strengthens your application to maximise your chances.
