In-course Awards and Honours
In-course scholarships, awards, and prizes are for students who are currently enrolled in—and will be continuing in—a full-time undergraduate degree program at McGill, and who have excelled in their program of study. These scholarships are awarded by the scholarships committees of individual faculties, and the funds are then disbursed by Scholarships and Student Aid on the basis of their recommendations. Scholarships and Student Aid deposits the funds in the students’ fee accounts and ensures that awards are recorded on student transcripts.
Students should consult the In-course Awards section of the Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards Calendar for a complete listing of awards by faculty. Furthermore, every faculty has its own set of criteria for distribution of in-course awards. Students should consult with the Student Affairs Office in their faculty to acquaint themselves with these criteria, and to receive answers to any related questions they may have.
Eligibility
- Students who meet the eligibility criteria are automatically considered for in-course awards, and applications are not required unless specifically indicated in the terms of the award.
- In general terms, all academically outstanding students may be considered by their faculties for in-course awards, subject to that faculty’s budget. GPA standing is of paramount importance and award minima will be determined by each faculty’s scholarships committee at the end of the regular academic year.
- To qualify for in-course award consideration, students must complete at least 27 graded credits in a McGill degree program during the regular academic session (Fall and Winter terms) exclusive of courses completed under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option. Summer courses are not included. Note: Course load exceptions are granted when students are ‘deemed full-time’ due to a documented disability requiring academic accommodation as confirmed by the Student Accessibility & Achievement.
- Students who receive credits for courses obtained while on exchange at other universities do not qualify for McGill in-course awards.
- Students in co-op and internship programs should contact their respective faculty office to clarify regulations specific to these programs.
Additional information and detailed regulations pertaining to these awards can be found on our page outlining Regulations for Recipients.
Activity awards
Activity awards are granted to in-course, undergraduate students to recognize specific community activity. They are not based solely on academic standing, and most require applications or other submissions from students. A summary of these appears in the Activity Awards section of McGill's Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards Calendar.
Interested students should consult their faculty office for award availability, eligibility, requirements and all other detailed information.
Dean's Honour List
Continuing students
A maximum of the top 10% of continuing students in each faculty is named to the Dean's Honour List. This designation is based on the combined GPA for the fall and winter terms. While carrying no monetary reward, it is an official University recognition of academic achievements and is recorded on student transcripts.
Graduating students
If you are graduating with an undergraduate degree, you may be awarded the designation of Dean's Honour List under the following conditions:
- you have completed a minimum of 60 McGill credits towards your degree; and
- you are in the top 10% of your faculty's graduating class of students. This calculation is based on the CGPA.
Note for transfer students: this designation may be withdrawn if your CGPA at another university or in another faculty at McGill is not comparable to the CGPA earned in your graduating faculty.
Distinction
If you are graduating with an undergraduate degree, you may be awarded the designation Distinction under the following conditions:
- you have completed a minimum of 60 McGill credits towards your degree; and
- you are in the top 25% but below the top 10% of your faculty's graduating class of students. This calculation is based on the CGPA.
The Faculties of Education, Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, the Schools of Architecture and Nursing, and the Centre for Continuing Education do not assign the designation of Distinction to graduating students.
Note for transfer students: this designation may be withdrawn if your CGPA at another university or in another faculty at McGill is not comparable to the CGPA earned in your graduating faculty.
A full description of Graduation Honours and their governing rules is available in the Undergraduate Programs, Courses and University Regulations Calendar.
Graduation Awards/Prizes
Students graduating with an undergraduate degree are eligible for Graduation or Convocation Awards and Prizes, which are granted by individual faculties and schools. Descriptions are included in the In-Course Awards sections of the Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards Calendar.
The Governor General’s Silver Medal is awarded to the graduating student who obtains the highest academic standing in a Bachelor degree program (based on cumulative record). It is awarded by the Committee on Enrolment and Student Affairs, and bestowed upon the recipient at the convocation ceremony.
Graduating students who wish to explore funding opportunities to pursue graduate studies should consult the Graduate Fellowships and Awards Calendar or visit the GPS website for more information.