CA · Bachelor's
McGill University
BA Honours History
McGill University
Course Overview
McGill is ranked #30 globally in QS World Rankings and #18 globally for History in QS World Rankings by Subject. The BA Honours History is a 3-year programme covering global, comparative and thematic history — from Medieval Europe and Imperial China to South Asian colonial history, the Atlantic World, environmental history and the history of capitalism. Honours students complete a 30,000-word research thesis under one-on-one supervision in their final year, with faculty whose work appears in the American Historical Review and Past & Present.
Sri Lankan applicants choose McGill History for the combination of academic prestige, Montreal's distinctive bilingual urban environment, and McGill's strong reciprocity with Oxford / Cambridge / Ivy League graduate programmes. The 3-year Honours format (Quebec residents complete in 3 due to CEGEP; international applicants also fit the 3-year frame with advanced-standing credit from A Levels). Graduates qualify for the 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit and a clear pathway to permanent residency via Express Entry.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle A Level: ABB with at least one humanities subject; History at B or above is preferred but not required.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 34 points with 6,5,5 at Higher Level.
- check_circle Strong personal statement linking specific historical interests to McGill faculty research.
- check_circle Senior Matriculation transcripts (A Level / IB plus O Level / IGCSE).
- check_circle Advanced-standing credit available for A-Level / IB results (up to 1 year of credit, allowing 3-year completion).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 in each band).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 180 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your secondary schooling was conducted in English for at least the final 4 years.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (CAD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | CAD 34,000 | Rs. 7,990,000 |
| Quebec Health Insurance (per year) | CAD 1,100 | Rs. 258,500 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Montreal) | CAD 16,000 | Rs. 3,760,000 |
| Study Permit & Biometrics | CAD 250 | Rs. 58,750 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | CAD 51,350 | Rs. 12,067,250 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit. McGill History graduates feed strongly into law school (Osgoode, McGill Law, Toronto), journalism (Globe and Mail, CBC), think tanks (CIGI, Munk School), policy analyst roles in the Canadian Public Service, plus PhD programmes at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Cambridge. Direct PR pathway via Express Entry CEC stream. Montreal offers the lowest cost of living of any major Canadian city.
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