McGill Physics: Graduate Program Information

Prospective Students:

New Students:

Arrival

Ongoing Students:

Calendar Info:

Please note that the proposed tuition hike by the government of Québec DOES NOT apply to graduate students.

Grad FAQs

Below are some frequently-asked questions about our graduate program. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact the Graduate Program p;oordinator (GPC) Lauren Kay at graduate dot physics at mcgill dot ca, or the Graduate Program Director (GPD) Prof. Nikolas Provatas at nikolaos dot provatas at mcgill dot ca.

Applying to the program: Do I have to find a research supervisor before I apply?; Where can I find out more about the research in the department?; Do I need to speak French?; I put the contact information of my letter writers into my application form, but they told me that they haven't received anything from McGill yet. What should I do?; I don't see the professor I'm interested in working with listed in the application form.; Are the GREs required?; I'm from a country that has a different higher education system. How do I figure out if my undergraduate degree meets the minimum requirements for admissions?; How much does it cost to get an MSc or a PhD?; Can you tell me more about the student community in Physics at McGill?; Are there outreach activities I can get involved in?; I applied some time ago, but my application is still "In Review". When will I hear from you?
New students: I just accepted the offer to come to McGill. What do I do now?; In my offer letter, I have been assigned an advisor. Is that different from my supervisor?; How do I choose which courses to take?; I am an MSc student. Do I have to take all of the required courses in my first year?
Current students: What do I do with the Progress Tracking form once my supervisor and committee members have signed it?; I am in the MSc program. Do I need to complete the progress tracking form?; I started the PhD program in January, when do I take the prelim exam?; I am having problems with my supervisor. What can I do?
COVID-19 Questions: Where can I find the latest information about how COVID-19 is affecting University activities?; I am an international student. How can I find out more about how COVID-19 is affecting immigration and travel to Canada?

Applying to the program

Do I have to find a research supervisor before I apply?

It's not a requirement to get in touch with potential supervisors ahead of time, but it's highly recommended that you do. In our department, individual professors select students to join their research groups. By contacting them before you apply, you can figure out whether they are currently accepting students and to tell them a bit about your background. Let them know you're interested so that they look out for your application when it arrives. On your application, be sure to indicate supervisors that you're interested in working with, both on the web form and in your statement. Professors receive a lot of enquiries, so don't be disheartened if you don't receive a reply, they will still have seen your message and can look out for your application when it arrives.

Where can I find out more about the research in the department?

Our professors are leading researchers across a broad range of subfields in physics, including astrophysics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, high energy physics, nuclear physics, and nonlinear physics. See our department research brochure.

Do I need to speak French?

No, McGill University is an English-speaking institution, and many of our graduate students do not speak French. However, some choose to learn while they're here to take advantage of the rich bilingual opportunities that Montreal offers. Many people in Montreal speak both English and French and service is usually provided in both languages.

I put the contact information of my letter writers into my application form, but they told me that they haven't received anything from McGill yet. What should I do?

Your referees should receive an email request after you pay the application fee and submit your application. Double check that the email addresses have been entered correctly and ask your referees to check their junk email folder if they don't receive anything. They should receive a reminder email from our system every 2 weeks until a letter has been uploaded.

I don't see the professor I'm interested in working with listed in the application form.

Some of our newer faculty members aren't on the web form yet, so if you don't see their names you can simply select the "Other" box, and also make sure to mentioned that you are interested in working with them in your statement.

Are the GREs required?

No, they are optional.

I'm from a country that has a different higher education system. How do I figure out if my undergraduate degree meets the minimum requirements for admissions?

Check out the handy degree equivalency tool here.

How much does it cost to get an MSc or a PhD?

It's free! Our graduate students all receive a standard stipend, and in addition you can be hired as a teaching assistant (see our finance page). Plus, with Montreal's relatively low cost of living (for a major North American city; https://numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Montreal), our graduate students in fact tend to save money. You're being paid to do physics and earn your degree!

Can you tell me more about the student community in Physics at McGill?

We have a thriving graduate student community that is represented by the McGill Graduate Association of Physics Students. Our students come from all over the world. We highly encourage applications from those from under-represented communities. Through our EDI committee and other department efforts, we are constantly striving to build a better, more equitable, and more inclusive environment.

Are there outreach activities I can get involved in?

Yes! We have a thriving outreach program which many of our grad students get involved in and find deeply fulfilling. There are a wide range of activities to get involved in, with as much time as you can spare, and we are always looking for new ideas!

I applied some time ago, but my application is still "In Review". When will I hear from you?

The best thing to do is to contact the Professors that you are interested in working with to see if they are still looking at the applications. We often make offers a few months after the application deadline.

New students

I just accepted the offer to come to McGill. What do I do now?

If you are an international student, you should start the process of applying for your study permit as soon as possible. International Student Services has a step-by-step guide for how to apply for your CAQ here.

GPS has a useful site for newly-admitted students here.

Otherwise look out for announcements from Lauren to apply for TA positions (typically these come out in April for TA positions in the Fall term of the same year), and for the Internal Fellowships competition (late May or early June each year for fellowships for the academic year starting in September).

In my offer letter, I have been assigned an advisor. Is that different from my supervisor?

We assign each incoming student an advisor who is a member of the Physics faculty and will help you settle into the department when you first arrive, and advise you on which courses to take. In most cases, your advisor will become your research supervisor. In cases where you are still deciding between potential supervisors when you arrive, you must make a decision on who your research supervisor will be within one month (by the end of September).

How do I choose which courses to take?

Your advisor or supervisor can help you choose which courses to take. We also have suggestions for courses to take depending on your research area here.

I am an MSc student. Do I have to take all of the required courses in my first year?

No. You can take all the courses in your first year, but you can also spread out the required 5 courses over the two years of your MSc if you prefer.

Current students

What do I do with the Progress Tracking form once my supervisor and committee members have signed it?

The form should be submitted as a PDF to myProgress. Note that even though the form has a place for the GPD to sign, you do not need this signature in the PDF. The GPD will approve and sign the form electronically after it has been submitted to myProgress.