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2025 Admissions

FAQ

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Admissions

1. Are my qualifications and experience enough for admission to the program?

The program welcomes applications from motivated applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for both its MDCM and its PhD components:

  • For the MDCM component, applicants must meet all general and educational requirements detailed here.
  • For the PhD component, it is important to show that you have the capacity and/or experience to conduct research.

We invite interested candidates to verify all of the eligibility criteria and apply at the main Applying Steps page for application guidelines.

Also see the MD-PhD application pageÌýfor application guidelines.

For specific admission enquiries (for example application deadlines, eligibility criteria and pre-requisites) please contact Office of Admissions - admissions.med [at] mcgill.ca.

2. Do I need to have a research supervisor before applying to the MDCM-PhD program?

It is not compulsory to identify a Faculty supervisor for MD-PhD prior to application. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to consult the list of graduate programs in the faculty of Medicine (see and ) and to identify the researchers whose research interests best align with theirs. Applicants should also understand the detailed information that needed for admission and possibly reach out to the graduate program director and coordinator of the department.

3. What kind of PhD research is acceptable for the MDCM/PhD combined program? Is it only laboratory work? What if I am interested in health systems research and health policy?

Any medicine/health related research can be integrated into the MDCM-PhD program –this includes inter-disciplinary topics. The program is actively looking for people wanting to do a PhD not only in basic/clinical sciences, but also:

  • Epidemiology
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Economics
  • Management
  • Computer Science
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • International Public Health

If you have a sense of your research interests please reach out to potential supervisors to gauge interest. Please consult the list ofÌý in Medicine & Health Sciences.

4. What type of degrees are accepted? Are applicants with Bachelor degrees accepted?

Degree requirements for MDCM admission are detailed here. Most of our applicants have only undergraduate degrees and others have MSc’s. Having your Bachelor’s degree in Science is not a prerequisite for MDCM, it can be any undergrad degree (Engineering, Arts, Commerce, etc), although the majority of our applicants do come with a Life Sciences degree.

5. Can I enter this program directly from Cegep?

No. Candidates should have the equivalent of a bachelors degree to be admitted.

6. Are publications required for admission?

For the MD-PhD program, a good research experience is required. See here for the documents to be included. Publications strengthen but are not compulsory for admission. If your publication hasn’t been submitted or is still in preparation you can indicate so by stating (in prep., submitted, or in press) after the title.

7. How does the selection process work for MD-PHD?

First, you must meet the criteria for admission to the , you are then considered for the combined program MDCM & Ph.D. Your application will be assessed simultaneously but separately by both the MDCM and PhD admissions committees. Selected applicants who meet the criteria of both committees will be invited to the MMI and the PhD interviews. Note that applicants whose candidacy is not retained by the PhD committee at any step are still assessed for entry to the MDCM program.

8. Can I start the MD-PhD after I have applied to or started the MDCM program? Should I be accepted to the MDCM program, but NOT the MDCM/PhD program, can I still enroll in the MDCM program?

Students who have already started the MDCM program are not accepted to the MDCM-PhD program.

9. Can I start MD-PhD after I have already started my PhD?

In rare cases, strong applicants who have completed no more than a year of a PhD may be considered. Applicants who are beyond their first year of a PhD program are not accepted.

10. I will be applying to both the MD/PhD program and the MD program. when I submit my workbook, do I need to submit one for each program or would only one be sufficient to be evaluated by both programs

Your one application to the MDCM-PhD program will be evaluated by both the MDCM and PhD review committees. If you are not accepted by the PhD program, you can still be offered a spot in the MDCM program.

11. Can I have supervision from another university?

No. Your supervisor for the programme must be appointed or co-appointed at ÎÛÎÛ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ.

12. Does the program accept international students?

The program accepts applications from international students for the MD-PhD program.Ìý Consult the specific criteria for international applicants. There is a maximum of 2 places per year for international students (either the MD or MD-PhD program). To qualify, it is necessary to have completed a degree that will be the basis of admission.Ìý

13. Is there tuition funding for international students:

There is an admission scholarship for international MDCM students (not guaranteed). International tuition differentials are covered for the years the student is in the PhD portion of the degree. Otherwise, students who have already been in Canada studying may be eligible for need-based financial aid. Newly arrived international students need to prove they are self-sufficient for their first year of study in order to receive a study permit.

14. I'm doing a second bachelor's degree, but I haven't finished yet. Can I apply to the program?

The basis of admission degree is your first bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Please see the degree requirements page for details of the basis of admission degree. Also: See basic science requirement information.

15. How does my residency category affect the MD-PhD admission process?

Applicants in all residency categories have the same selection criteria and admissions process and are eligible for the MD-PhD program; no preference is given to any residency category. However, the Quebec government limits the number of seats in the MD program (inclusive of the MD-PhD). There are 2 seats for International students and 11 seats for Out of Province Canadian students.

16. Will I need to do the MCAT?

The MCAT test is not required for candidates applying to the MD PhD program. Only candidates applying for a U.S. Government Direct Loan (Title IV) are required to submit an MCAT score with their application.

17. After the completion of the seven year program, do students apply to CARMS and attend residency like other MD graduates?

ÌýYes


For enquiries (for example application deadlines, eligibility criteria and pre-requisites) please contact the Undergraduate Medical Admissions Office: admissions.med [at] mcgill.ca.

For more details on the MDCM-PhD program, contact mdphdadmin.med [at] mcgill.ca.

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