McGill’s Occupational Therapy Qualifying Year is an eight-month entry route to the professional MScA for bachelor’s graduates. Admission requires a McGill-equivalent bachelor’s cGPA of at least 3.0, Casper, a video statement and the applicable language requirements. No courses are prerequisites, but completed courses in five suggested background areas earn selection points.
- Program
- Qualifying Year for the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MScA in OT)
- Credential
- MScA
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- January 14, 2027 (Final eligible French Casper test)
- Interview
- No interview
- Seats
- Approximately 35 OT QY places; approximately 75 students when joined with the U3 cohort
- Length
- The 29-credit QY lasts two semesters, approximately eight months; the subsequent 64-credit MScA-OT lasts five semesters, approximately 1.5 years.
Casper Requirement for McGill University Occupational Therapy
McGill University Occupational Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Canadian Professional Health Sciences Casper (Casper Sciences de la santé niveau 2)
- Languages
- English, French
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
English or French is accepted. Take the test designated for this admission cycle and request score delivery to McGill University, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy - QY for the MScA in Occupational Therapy.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
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McGill University Occupational Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- McGill Slate graduate application portal
- Applications open
- Open for Fall 2027
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Final eligible French Casper test | January 14, 2027upcoming |
| International application payment and submission | January 15, 2027upcoming |
| Final eligible English Casper test | January 21, 2027upcoming |
| Canadian application payment and submission | February 11, 2027upcoming |
| Supporting-document upload, all applicants | February 11, 2027upcoming |
Submit and pay through Slate before the applicable deadline. Upload unofficial transcripts, including available fall-term grades, the Background Courses Form and other required documents by the document deadline. Enter all university education attempted; documents are submitted electronically.
McGill University Occupational Therapy Admissions Statistics
Period: 2027 admissions guide; GPA average for 2026 candidates
- Seats / class size: Approximately 35 OT QY places; approximately 75 students when joined with the U3 cohort
- Average GPA: 3.77, average cGPA of 2026 candidates
Eligibility Requirements for McGill University Occupational Therapy
- Degree / credits
A bachelor’s degree in any subject, completed before the QY begins. Applicants with an OT degree from a university other than McGill use the same QY application process.
- Language proficiency
English proficiency is required unless exempt. Applicants must also demonstrate at least B2 French in speaking, listening, reading and writing, or document an applicable testing exemption.
Admission pathways
- Qualifying Year (QY): Entry point for applicants without an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy; one-year preparatory year before the professional MScA.
- Direct entry: Direct entry post-Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science (OT) at McGill.
QY graduates may apply to the MScA; a place is reserved if they maintain at least a 3.0 cGPA and satisfactory standing.
Other requirements
- Background Courses Form: Upload the form even if no suggested background courses were taken; leave its course entries blank if none apply.
- French proficiency documentation: Upload qualifying French test results or proof of an exemption through Slate.
- International study authorization: International students need a valid Québec CAQ and study permit to study and work in Québec.
Selection Factors McGill University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | recommended A completed three-credit-equivalent university course earns selection points. |
| Human Physiology | recommended A completed three-credit-equivalent university course earns selection points. |
| Psychology | recommended A completed three-credit-equivalent university course earns selection points. |
| Neuroanatomy or Neuroscience | recommended A completed three-credit-equivalent university course earns selection points. |
| Research Methods or Statistics | recommended A completed three-credit-equivalent university course earns selection points. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
McGill-equivalent cGPA from courses taken as part of the bachelor’s degree only; post-degree courses do not change its ranking. A completed master’s adds 0.1 and a completed doctorate adds 0.1 to the application cGPA assessment; graduate grades otherwise do not enter the calculation.
- Minimum
- 3.0/4.0
At least 3.0/4.0 McGill-equivalent bachelor’s cGPA is required for QY admission. The average cGPA of recent candidates was 3.77; this is an average, not a competitive cutoff. QY-to-MScA progression also requires a 3.0 cGPA and satisfactory standing.
Admissions tests
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic (required for some applicants): If proof is required, the OT QY guide lists TOEFL iBT 86 overall, at least 20 per section, or IELTS Academic 6.5. Send official results electronically to McGill, code 0935.
- French proficiency (required for some applicants): Demonstrate B2 oral and written proficiency or document a qualifying testing exemption.
Experience and volunteer hours
Not required.
No minimum volunteer or work hours are specified. Applicants can discuss challenging work, volunteer or life experiences in the required video statement.
Supplementary application
Submit a video statement of no more than 2 minutes in English or French through Slate. Address your understanding of OT, suitability and preparedness. State your name; use one continuous, unedited recording with a visible running phone stopwatch. Videos that do not follow the format instructions are eliminated from evaluation.
How applicants are ranked
Files are checked for minimum requirements and completeness. Evaluators score eligible files on cGPA, Casper, background courses, French and the video statement. Applicants are ranked by file-review score; leading candidates receive offers of nomination to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, which reviews admission eligibility before issuing offers. The waitlist follows file-review rank.
Interview Format at McGill University
Format: No interview
The published selection process describes file review and ranking, with no interview stage listed.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at McGill University Occupational Therapy
- Program length
- The 29-credit QY lasts two semesters, approximately eight months; the subsequent 64-credit MScA-OT lasts five semesters, approximately 1.5 years.
- Structure
QY students join the third-year undergraduate OT cohort. A place in the MScA is reserved after the QY for students maintaining at least a 3.0 cGPA and satisfactory standing.
Curriculum emphasizes anatomy, rehabilitation science, and clinical competencies. The program integrates research opportunities in occupational therapy practice.
Campus and facilities
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (SPOT) in Montreal. Montreal's urban setting offers access to diverse clinical sites.
Tuition and Funding at McGill University
Use McGill Student Accounts’ fee calculator and select Masters Non-Thesis programs. The QY is eligible for Québec student loans and bursaries and other funding schemes; newly admitted QY students may apply for the McCall MacBain Scholarship.
What Applicants Are Saying
Students in the Qualifying Year report a focused environment at McGill SPOT, with emphasis on collaborative learning and clinical readiness. Program culture prioritizes academic excellence, as QY participants must hit GPA benchmarks for reserved MScA spots. Heavy coursework demands strong time management.
Matriculated students describe rigorous anatomy training as essential and highlight anatomy labs and peer study groups as key to success. Those entering via QY report feeling well-prepared if they addressed gaps early. Those with prior low GPAs or limited prerequisites note the need for proactive remediation to thrive.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your McGill University Occupational Therapy Application
- Calculate your McGill-equivalent bachelor’s cGPA; post-degree courses do not change its ranking.
- Review the five suggested background-course areas and complete the Background Courses Form, even if none apply.
- Register for the correct Canadian Professional Health Sciences Casper and request delivery to the OT QY.
- Prepare the required two-minute, unedited video statement using McGill’s format instructions.
- Arrange English testing if required and proof of B2 French or an exemption.
- Upload complete transcripts and documents through Slate by the applicable deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions About McGill University Occupational Therapy
Is Casper required for McGill Qualifying Year MScA in OT admissions?
Yes. Take the Canadian Professional Health Sciences Casper in English or French and request delivery to McGill’s OT QY.
What is the minimum GPA for McGill QY to MScA in OT?
QY admission requires at least a 3.0/4.0 McGill-equivalent bachelor’s cGPA. Progression to the MScA requires a 3.0 QY cGPA and satisfactory standing.
Does McGill Qualifying Year guarantee MScA in OT admission?
A place is reserved for QY students who maintain at least a 3.0 cGPA and satisfactory standing.
What prerequisites are needed for McGill OT Qualifying Year?
None. Five suggested background-course areas earn selection points; upload the Background Courses Form even if you took none.
Are interviews part of McGill QY MScA in OT selection?
The published selection process lists file review, scoring and ranking, but no interview stage.
Can international students apply to McGill Qualifying Year MScA in OT?
Yes. Applicants need an eligible bachelor’s degree and must meet the program’s academic and language requirements.
How long is McGill’s Qualifying Year for MScA in OT?
The QY lasts two semesters, about eight months; the subsequent MScA lasts five semesters, about 1.5 years.
What if my GPA is exactly 3.0 for McGill OT QY?
A 3.0 McGill-equivalent bachelor’s cGPA meets the QY minimum; eligible applications are ranked using all published selection components.
Sources
- McGill 2027 OT QY Applicant Guidebook
- McGill SPOT Professional Programs
- Acuity Insights Test Dates and Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026