McGill's Physical Therapy Qualifying Year is a 30-credit, two-semester pathway for eligible bachelor's-degree holders seeking entry to its MSc(A) in Physical Therapy. Admission requires a 3.2/4.0 bachelor's GPA, anatomy and physiology prerequisites, Casper, and proof of B2 French proficiency or an exemption. Students must meet further academic and professional standards to advance to the MSc(A).
- Program
- Qualifying Year for the Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScA in PT)
- Location
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Casper
- Required · English: CSP-10211; French: CSP-20206F
- Next deadline
- January 14, 2027 (Final French Casper test)
- Interview
- No interview
- Seats
- Approximately 35 students in the Physical Therapy Qualifying Year
- Length
- Two semesters totaling 30 credits
Casper Requirement for McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT
McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Canadian Professional Health Sciences Casper 2 (English) or Sciences de la Santé Niveau 2 (French) · English: CSP-10211; French: CSP-20206F
- Languages
- English, French
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete the designated Casper test for this admission cycle in English or French and request disclosure of the result to McGill's School of Physical and Occupational Therapy. An earlier cycle's result is not valid.
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 Qualifying Year for MScA in PT Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- McGill Slate graduate application
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Final French Casper test | January 14, 2027upcoming |
| International application payment and submission | January 15, 2027upcoming |
| Final English Casper test | January 21, 2027upcoming |
| Canadian application payment and submission | February 11, 2027upcoming |
| Document upload and applicable language proof | February 11, 2027upcoming |
Submit and pay for the application in Slate, then upload supporting documents there. Select Qualifying for MScA, Physical Therapy, Qualifying concentration, and Fall entry. McGill accepts no mailed application materials.
McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT Admissions Statistics
Period: Undated McGill admissions FAQ
- Seats / class size: Approximately 35 students in the Physical Therapy Qualifying Year
Eligibility Requirements for McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT
- Degree / credits
A bachelor's degree in any discipline, completed before the Qualifying Year starts; graduates of McGill's BSc Rehabilitation Science (PT) cannot apply to this pathway.
- Citizenship
International students may apply with a recognized Bachelor's and the minimum GPA.
- Language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate at least B2 French in spoken and written communication or qualify for a documented testing exemption. Proof of English proficiency is required where applicable.
Admission pathways
- Physical Therapy Qualifying Year: A 30-credit, two-semester entry route for eligible bachelor's-degree holders. Qualified students may apply to the MSc(A) in PT; places are reserved for those who meet its GPA and other entry requirements.
Strategic applicants verify degree equivalency through McGill's admissions portal early, as international credentials may require evaluation. The Qualifying Year begins in the Fall semester.
Other requirements
- Physical Therapy Prerequisite Courses Form: List relevant university anatomy and physiology courses and upload the form to Slate.
- Complete university education history: Disclose all university education attempted and upload unofficial transcripts, including updated grades for in-progress studies.
Selection Factors McGill University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy | At least 3 university credits with a McGill-equivalent grade of B or higher May be in progress when applying; complete before the Qualifying Year. |
| Human or Mammalian Physiology | At least 3 university credits with a McGill-equivalent grade of B or higher May be in progress when applying; complete before the Qualifying Year. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
McGill calculates the cumulative GPA from courses credited toward the bachelor's degree on its 4.0 scale. Upgrading, graduate and out-of-program courses are excluded. An already-completed master's adds 0.1 to the assessed GPA; an already-completed doctorate adds 0.1.
- Minimum
- At least 3.2/4.0 McGill-equivalent cumulative GPA in the bachelor's degree.
The 3.2/4.0 minimum applies to admission to the Qualifying Year. Students must subsequently maintain at least 3.0/4.0, along with ethics and professionalism standards, to qualify for the MSc(A) pathway.
Admissions tests
- English proficiency (required for some applicants): If required, submit official TOEFL iBT 86, with no section below 20, or IELTS 7.0; results go directly to McGill (code 0935).
- French proficiency (required for some applicants): Demonstrate B2 oral and written French through accepted proof or document a testing exemption in Slate.
Experience and volunteer hours
Not required.
No physical-therapy shadowing or minimum work or volunteer hours are specified for admission. Describe relevant experience in the required résumé where applicable.
Supplementary application
Upload the PT Qualifying Year prerequisite-courses form, a résumé in McGill's required template, and a video statement of interest of 2 minutes or less to Slate. Letters of reference are not accepted. Applicants seeking consideration of mitigating circumstances may request a Slate upload slot by email after submitting.
How applicants are ranked
After eligibility review and GPA calculation, applicants are ranked by undergraduate GPA and Casper, with GPA weighted more heavily. The top 100 files receive file review. Remaining applicants are ranked using GPA, Casper and file-review score for nomination to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies or the waitlist.
Interview Format at McGill University
Format: No interview
The published selection process describes GPA/Casper ranking and file review; it does not describe an interview stage.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT
- Program length
- Two semesters totaling 30 credits
- Structure
The campus-based Qualifying Year runs from Fall through Winter. Students who complete it with at least 3.0/4.0 and meet the other standards may enter the reserved-place, five-semester MSc(A) PT pathway.
- Campuses
- main campus
The Qualifying Year follows the third-year undergraduate PT curriculum; the subsequent 63-credit MSc(A) includes four clinical practica totaling 1,050 hours.
Campus and facilities
Located in downtown Montreal, Quebec. The School of Physical and Occupational Therapy occupies the historic Reddy Memorial Building on the main campus. Facilities include state-of-the-art simulation labs, motion analysis centers, and anatomy wet labs. Campus life blends urban energy with academic focus; students access over 100 student organizations, including the Physiotherapy Interest Group. Montreal's bilingual environment supports French immersion if pursuing the French Casper track. Affiliations with McGill University Health Centre provide rotation sites at top hospitals such as the Montreal General, offering diverse clinical exposure from orthopedics to neurology.
Tuition and Funding at McGill University
Consult McGill's fee calculator under Masters Non-Thesis programs for tuition. The Qualifying Year is eligible for Quebec Student Loans and Bursaries and other applicable student funding programs.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the Qualifying Year as a seamless bridge into McGill's rigorous PT curriculum, merging with undergraduate physio classes after completing 30 credits over two semesters. Students report a natural transition post-Qualifying Year.
Prospective applicants note the program's accessibility for non-PT backgrounds, though forums highlight its competitiveness and variable wait times for decisions. Forums indicate decisions arrive variably.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT Application
- Check your bachelor's GPA against McGill's 3.2/4.0 minimum and its degree-course calculation rules.
- Plan 3 credits each of Human Anatomy and Human or Mammalian Physiology, earning at least B.
- Prepare proof of B2 French or a testing exemption, plus English test results if required.
- Book the accepted Casper test and send results to SPOT.
- Prepare the required PT résumé, prerequisite form and two-minute video; upload them to Slate.
More About McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT
- Housing near campus
Affordable housing options near campus averaging CAD 800-1200 monthly for shared units.
Frequently Asked Questions About McGill University Qualifying Year for MScA in PT
Is Casper required for McGill Qualifying Year MScA in PT?
Yes. Take the accepted Canadian Professional Health Sciences Casper test in English or French and request that your result be sent to SPOT.
What is the minimum GPA for McGill Qualifying Year PT admissions?
At least 3.2/4.0 McGill-equivalent cumulative GPA in the bachelor's degree.
How competitive is McGill's Qualifying Year for MScA in PT?
McGill initially ranks applicants by GPA and Casper; the top 100 files proceed to file review.
What is the structure of McGill Qualifying Year PT program?
The Fall-start Qualifying Year is 30 credits over two semesters. Eligible completers may apply to the five-semester MSc(A) PT program, where places are reserved subject to entry requirements.
Does McGill Qualifying Year require French proficiency?
Yes. Applicants need proof of B2 spoken and written French or a documented testing exemption, regardless of Casper language.
Are interviews part of McGill PT Qualifying Year admissions?
McGill's published process describes ranking and file review, not an interview stage.
Can international students apply to McGill Qualifying Year MScA in PT?
Yes. International applicants must meet the same academic, prerequisite and language requirements and submit and pay for the application by January 15.
What are the Casper test dates for McGill PT?
McGill lists January 14 as the final French test and January 21 as the final English test for Fall entry; consult Acuity Insights for available sittings and times.
Sources
- McGill 2027 PT Qualifying Year Applicant Guidebook
- McGill Professional Programs
- McGill SPOT Casper QY FAQ
- McGill SPOT Admissions FAQ
- McGill SPOT Tuition and Financial Aid
Last updated: September 26, 2026