On this page: About IB transfer credit | Number of credits you will be granted | Subjects that qualify | IB math/science subject list | IB language subject list | List of other IB subjects
About IB transfer credit
Students who complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma will be granted up to 30 transfer credits. The actual amount of credit granted is based on the IB Higher Level (HL) subject selection, final HL subject results of '5' or better, and on the entering program at McGill (see faculty and program rules). See the faculty/program-specific table below to view the amount of credit you will receive.
Students NOT completing the full IB Diploma, but who complete individual IB Higher Level (HL) diploma courses (formerly certificates) may be granted credit for final results of '5' or better, equal to the equivalent course at McGill and dependent on the entering faculty and program rules. Note that most non-math/non-science subjects will grant 6 credits per subject. Mathematics and science equivalencies that are eligible for exemption will be granted the credit value of the McGill-equivalent course.
To be eligible for advanced standing, you must arrange for your final IB results to be sent directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization to McGill's Enrolment Services.
If you receive an exemption for a subject, but decide to take the course at McGill, you will not receive credit for the McGill course and it will not be calculated into your McGill GPA.
McGill reserves the right to change the transfer credit recognition policy without notice.
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For students entering in 2021-22: |
The number of credits you will be granted
|
Program/Faculty you are entering at McGill |
IB Diploma (based on minimum three Higher Level (HL) subjects with final results of ‘5’ or better) |
You will be granted: |
Additional comments |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (AES), |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better, including 2 HL from biology, chemistry, math, physics |
30 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better, including 1 HL from biology, chemistry, math, physics, and 2 HL non-math/non-science |
28 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
|
Arts (B.A.) |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better, |
30 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
Architecture (B.Sc.Arch.) |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better Credits are granted for equivalent math and science subjects only |
Dependent on the HL math/science subjects completed |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
Bachelor of Arts & Science |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better |
30 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
Education (B.Ed.) |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better |
30 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
Engineering (B.Eng.) |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better Credits are granted for equivalent math and science subjects, as well as one social science subject as per the chart |
Dependent on the HL math/science completed |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
Kinesiology (B.Sc.Kines.) Note: This program allows a maximum of 24 credits for non-math/non-science |
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At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better, and 2 of the HL subjects are in biology, chemistry, math, or physics |
30 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
|
Other than the above |
24 - 30 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
|
Management (B.Com.) |
If HL Math completed and at least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better |
30 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
If SL Mathematics completed and at least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better |
27 credits |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
|
Nursing (B.Sc.N.) |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better Credits are granted for equivalent math and science subjects, plus a possible 6 elective credits. |
Dependent on the HL math/science completed |
See chart below for specific exemptions |
|
Science (B.Sc.) |
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better, including 2 HL from biology, chemistry, math, physics, psychology, computer science |
30 credits |
See chart below for specific McGill course exemptions |
|
At least 3 accepted HL with '5' or better, including 1 HL from biology, chemistry, math, physics, psychology, computer science |
28 credits |
See chart below for specific McGill course exemptions |
Subjects that qualify
Use the charts below to see if you have passed an IB subject that is equivalent to a McGill course. If so, you may be exempt from that McGill course in accordance with faculty policy and you will be granted transfer credits. Be sure to check all three charts to see if you qualify:
The faculty names have been shortened to fit the chart below — use this legend to interpret the abbreviations:
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IB math/science subject list
| IB Subject |
McGill Course Exemption |
Eligible Faculty/Program |
Entry Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL BIOLOGY | BIOL 111 and BIOL 112 |
AES**, AR, AS, ED, MG, NU, SC BEng (Software): either BIOL 112 OR CHEM 110 (as of July 2021) |
Feb-16 |
| HL CHEMISTRY | CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 |
AES**, AR, ARCH, AS, EN, ED, MG, NU, SC, |
Feb-16 |
|
HL MATHEMATICS |
MATH 140 (B.Com.: exemption from MATH 122) |
AES**, ARCH, AR, AS, SC, EN, ED, MG, NU |
Sep-14 |
| HL Further MATHEMATICS (for first exams in 2014) |
MATH 140 and MATH 133 | ARCH, EN, MG | Sep-14 |
|
HL Further MATHEMATICS |
MATH 140 and MATH 133 and MATH 203 |
AES** AR, AS, ED, NU, SC |
Sep-14 |
| HL MATHEMATICS: Analysis & approaches (for first exams in May 2021) |
MATH 140 | AES**, ARCH, AR, AS, SC, EN, ED, MG, NU | Feb-19 |
| HL MATHEMATICS: Applications & interpretation (for first exams in May 2021) |
MATH 122 | AR, ED, MG | Feb-19 |
| HL MATHEMATICS: Applications & interpretation (for first exams in May 2021) |
MATH 203 | AES**, AR, AS, ED, NU, SC, | Feb-19 |
| HL PHYSICS | PHYS 101 and PHYS 102 * |
AES**, ARCH, AR, AS, ED, EN, MG, NU, SC, |
Feb-16 |
| HL MATHEMATICS (for exams up to & incl. Nov. 2013) |
MATH 140 and MATH 133 (BCom: MATH 122 & 123, exemption only) |
AES*, AR, ARCH, AS, EN, ED, MG, NU, SC |
* Engineering (including B.Sc.Arch) students who receive credit for PHYS 101 & 102 will not be required to complete PHYS 131 or 142
** Students at Macdonald Campus can view equivalent subject and course codes at AES Course Equivalencies
IB language subject list
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Other IB subjects
| IB Subject | McGill Course Exemption | Excluded Faculty/Program | Entry Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL BUSINESS MGT | BUSA 1XX | ARCH, EN | |
|
HL COMPUTER SC. |
COMP 202 (3 cr exemption) |
BENG-CIV | Jun-2020 |
|
HL DANCE |
n/a | all (not accepted for exemption) | |
|
HL DESIGN TECH |
TRNS 1XX |
ARCH, EN |
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| HL DIGITAL SOCIETY (first exams in May 2024; replacing HL ITGS) | TBD | ||
|
HL ECONOMICS |
ECON 1XX |
(Engineering: max of 3 credits) |
Jun-2020 |
| HL FILM | ENGL 1XX | EN | Jun-2020 |
| HL GEOGRAPHY | GEOG 1XX | EN | Jun-2020 |
| HL GLOBAL POLITICS | POLI 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
|
HL HISTORY (Africa & ME) |
HIST 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL HISTORY (Americas) | HIST 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
|
HL HISTORY (Asia & Oceania) |
HIST 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL HISTORY (Europe) | HIST 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL HISTORY (Islamic World) | ISLA 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL ITGS (last exams in 2023; replaced by HL Digital Society) | SOCI 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL MUSIC | MUAR 1XX | EN | Jun-2020 |
| HL PHILOSOPHY | PHIL1 XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL PSYCHOLOGY | PSYC 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL SOC.CUL.ANTH. | ANTH 1XX | (Engineering: max of 3 credits) | Jun-2020 |
| HL SPORTS, EXERCISE, HEALTH SC | EDKP 1XX | ARCH, EN | |
| HL THEATRE ARTS | ENGL 1XX | EN | Jun-2020 |
| HL VISUAL ARTS | EDEA 1XX | ARCH, EN, SC | |
| HL WORLD RELIGIONS | RELG 1XX | EN | Jun-2020 |