Admission requirements

With the exception of the Special Individualized programs, all graduate programs offered by the University are attached to one of the three Faculties of the University or The John Molson School of Business, under the general supervision of the University Council of the School of Graduate Studies and its chair, the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The Dean of Graduate Studies is responsible for ensuring the quality of the admission of students to the doctoral, master's, diploma and certificate programs of the University on the recommendation of the Graduate Program Directors. Admission is based on an assessment of the student's qualifications for the proposed program of study and entails specific credit, course, thesis, and examination requirements, which vary from program to program.

Academic Requirements

Admission requirements are set out in each program description.

Concordia University evaluates international degree equivalencies upon receipt of an application.

GPA Admission Requirement

Doctoral programs require candidates for admission to have completed a master’s/magisteriate (or equivalent) with high standing (e.g., with honours, or a GPA of at least 3.00). Master’s programs require candidates for admission to have completed a bachelor’s/baccalaureate (or equivalent) with high standing (e.g., with honours, or a GPA of at least 3.00). Diploma and graduate certificate programs require candidates for admission to have completed a bachelor’s/ baccalaureate (or equivalent) with high standing.

Language Requirements

TOEFL/IELTS - Applicants whose prior degrees are not from an English or French speaking university may be required to submit English Language Test scores (TOEFL iBT, IELTS). Individual programs may require a higher score. Applicants should check their prospective program’s specific requirements.

The provisional minimum acceptance score for the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) for admission into a graduate program for international students whose first language is not English or French is 80. (Concordia will accept test results for the paper-based TOEFL if they are less than 2 years old). The minimum required score for the paper-based TOEFL is 550. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requires a minimum Band score of 6.5.

Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science

The provisional minimum acceptance score for the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) for admission into a graduate program for students whose first language is not English and/or who have not received a substantial amount of their education in English is 85, with a minimum of 20 in each section. In all cases, Concordia reserves the right to require proof of English proficiency when such proof is deemed necessary. (Concordia will accept test results for the paper-based TOEFL if they are less than 2 years old). The minimum required score for the paper-based TOEFL is 563. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requires a minimum Band score of 6.5. Individual programs may require a higher score. Applicants should check their prospective program’s requirements.

ConCEPT Test - Graduate Program Directors may require applicants to write the Concordia Comprehensive ESL Placement Test (ConCEPT) as a condition of admission. Depending on the result, students may be required to complete English language courses in addition to their program requirements.

EWT - The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science may require applicants to write the Engineering Writing Test (EWT) as a condition of admission to all graduate programs in Engineering and Computer Science. Depending on the result, students may be required to complete remedial English language courses in addition to their program requirements.

Accelerated Admission

Accelerated admission (fast-tracking) describes a process whereby exceptional students are admitted to Ph.D. programs without a master’s/ magisteriate degree in the same discipline. Students who follow this process must show high academic performance or potential evidenced by an outstanding GPA, appropriate research publications in the field of study, a research topic at the master’s/ magisteriate level which is advanced enough for a doctoral thesis proposal, or other similar demonstrations of achievement.

Application Process

Applicants to Graduate programs are strongly encouraged to apply online. Get more information on the Graduate Studies website.

Required Documents

To speed up the application process, the following supporting documents must be submitted with your application:

• Official transcript in sealed envelope (North American institutions only). Students who have studied at institutions outside of North America must arrange to have their school mail an official transcript directly to the Graduate Application Centre.
• Statement of Purpose
• Proof of legal status in Canada: i.e. Canadian citizen, Permanent resident, Canadian First Nations (and Quebec residency, if applicable, for those eligible). International students will be required to submit a Study Permit and CAQ only after they receive an offer of admission.

International Documents

Students who have studied at institutions outside of North America must arrange to have their school mail an official transcript directly to the Graduate Application Centre.

All transcripts should be in the original language. If you submit certificates in a language other than English or French, you must submit a copy translated into either English or French by a certified translator.

If the certificate does not detail the subjects taken and the grades achieved, a certified statement of these from an authorized official of the institution should also be included.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary depending on the program.

Admission files must be complete by the deadline indicated. In most cases, however, international applicants must arrange for all required documentation to be in the appropriate office at least six months before the commencement of classes.

Additional Requirements

Many graduate programs require the completion of additional forms or the submission of additional materials.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine what further documentation may be required.

Please contact the appropriate person within the department housing your program in order to verify if there are any additional program-specific requirements. Find your contact person by visiting the departmental website (see full list of department websites) or use the program contact list from the School of Graduate Studies.