Quick answer: McGill publishes these English requirements on its official pages (checked October 27, 2026). Undergraduate (most faculties): band 4.5 or 90 on the old scale. Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (university minimum): band 4.5 or 86 on the old scale. MBA: 100 on the old scale. Where a page states only an old 0 to 120 score, we show "Not stated" for the new band rather than converting it ourselves.
TOEFL requirements at McGill, program by program
| Program | Old scale (0 to 120) | New scale (1 to 6) | Section minimums | IELTS | MyBest | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (most faculties) | 90 | 4.5 | Old 0-120 scale: 21 in each section. New 1-6 scale: Reading 4.5, Listening 4.5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4.0 | 6.5 | Not accepted | Official page |
| Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (university minimum) | 86 | 4.5 | Old 0-120 scale: 20 in each component. New 1-6 scale: Reading 4.5, Listening 4.5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4.0 | 6.5 | Not accepted | Official page |
| MBA | 100 | Not stated | Old 0-120 scale: 20 in each category | 7.0 | Not stated | Official page |
Checked on each official page on October 27, 2026. Old scale: TOEFL iBT tests taken before January 21, 2026. New scale: tests taken from that date.
Undergraduate (most faculties)
“Note that, McGill does not use TOEFL’s MyBest ™ scores. ... Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (incl. Dietetics & Human Nutrition), Architecture, Arts, B.A. & Sc., Education, Engineering, Nursing, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Religious Studies, Science, Social Work 90* 4.5* * Minimum component scores: Reading: 21 Listening: 21 Writing: 21 Speaking: 21 Reading: 4.5 Listening: 4.5 Writing: 4.5 Speaking: 4.0”
Management and Education (TESL) need 100 or 5.0 (same section minimums); Music needs 79-80 or 4.0. The 120-point scale applies to tests up to January 20, 2026 and the 6-point scale to tests from January 21, 2026. IELTS 6.5 with components of 6.0 or better.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (university minimum)
“6-point scale (as of January 2026) Minimum overall score of 4.5 Minimum component scores: Reading 4.5 Listening 4.5 Writing 4.5 Speaking 4.0 120-point scale Minimum overall score of 86 Minimum component scores of 20 The McGill Institution Code is 0935 McGill does not accept TOEFL’s MyBest™ scores.”
These are minimums; departments may require more. Duolingo and PTE are not accepted for graduate admission. Usually not needed with a degree from Canada, the US or an English-medium institution, or four consecutive years in an English-primary country.
MBA
“For international candidates who did not complete a degree from a recognized English-medium university, proof of English proficiency is required. TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) 100 with a minimum score of 20 in each category or IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with no score below 7.0 is required. In order to meet the English requirement, please have the test provider send official results. Only tests taken at Test Centers are accepted for admission, at-home tests are not accepted.”
No 1-6 band score is published. At-home tests (including the TOEFL Home Edition) are not accepted. ETS code 0935, department code 02.
What else McGill says about English tests
- McGill's TOEFL institution code is 0935-00 for undergraduate admission; the Desautels MBA uses code 0935 with department code 02. (source)
- McGill does not use TOEFL MyBest scores, for either undergraduate or graduate admission. (source)
- McGill undergraduate minimums vary by program: 100 / 5.0 for Management and Education (TESL), 90 / 4.5 for most faculties, 79-80 / 4.0 for Music. (source)
- McGill undergraduate also accepts Duolingo (125, or 130 for B.Ed. TESL and B.Com.), IELTS Academic 6.5 (components 6.0+), PTE Academic 65 and CAEL 70. (source)
- McGill graduate admissions does not accept the Duolingo English Test or PTE. (source)
- The Desautels MBA accepts only tests taken at test centers; at-home tests are not accepted. (source)
How the new 1 to 6 scale applies to McGill
Since January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT scores are reported in bands from 1 to 6. Each band covers a range of old scores, so the same old minimum can sit anywhere inside a band.
- For Undergraduate (most faculties), McGill asks for 90 on the old scale. On the ETS comparison, 90 falls in band 4.5 (which starts at 86; CEFR B2). McGill itself publishes band 4.5, which matches.
- For Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (university minimum), McGill asks for 86 on the old scale. On the ETS comparison, 86 falls in band 4.5 (which starts at 86; CEFR B2). McGill itself publishes band 4.5, which matches.
- For MBA, McGill asks for 100 on the old scale. On the ETS comparison, 100 falls in band 5.0 (which starts at 95; CEFR C1). The page we checked does not state its own band, so confirm with the admissions office before relying on a new-scale score.
| Band | Old score (from) | CEFR |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 114 and above | C2 |
| 5.5 | 107 and above | C1 |
| 5.0 | 95 and above | C1 |
| 4.5 | 86 and above | B2 |
| 4.0 | 72 and above | B2 |
| 3.5 | 58 and above | B1 |
Source: ETS score scale update. This is the ETS comparison, not a university requirement. Convert your own scores with our TOEFL score converter.
What score should you aim for?
Our advice (not an official McGill rule): treat the published number as a floor. Aim half a band above the minimum for your program, so for a band 4.5 requirement plan for 5.0 on your practice tests, so one weaker section on test day does not take your overall score under the line. Check section minimums too: an overall band can hide a low Speaking or Writing score.
McGill compared with similar universities
| University | Program | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| U of T | Undergraduate | band 4.5 or 89 on the old scale |
| UBC | Undergraduate (Vancouver) | band 4.5 or 90 on the old scale |
| MIT | Undergraduate (first-year) admissions | band 5.0 or 90 on the old scale |
All universities: TOEFL requirements by university.
Prefer a teacher? Epic Exam Prep, the team behind PrepDrills, has taught TOEFL courses since 2010, one to one or in small groups.
By Jaclyn Caruana, MBA, co-founder of Epic Exam Prep. Requirements change: always confirm on the official pages linked above before you apply.