ºÚÁÏÍø

Independent Study-Away

Study Away refers to an academic activity where students independently pursue courses at a host institution and receive credits from the home university. Students apply to the host institution directly, paying their fees and following theirÌýdeadlines.

To be eligible, a student must:

  • Be a registered BCom student in the current academic year
  • Have a CGPA of at least:
    • 2.70 for study in the fall or winter terms
    • 2.00 for study in the summer term

An application in Minerva to be approved for a Study away is required for any students taking courses away from ºÚÁÏÍø on their own. The BCom Student Affairs Office reserves the right to not award credits for courses done away from ºÚÁÏÍø without permission. See Step 3 for more details.Ìý

Note that the course(s) must be completed by August 31. Courses taken online must also be completed by August 31 and cannot be extended into the Fall term, otherwise the study away request will be cancelled.


Please note the following important updates for Independent Study Away effective Summer 2025:

  • Courses and short-term programs taught through Continuing Studies at the host institution will not be approved.
  • No short-term summer programs will be approved with the exception of those offered by our exchange partners. These will be considered only if they meet our criteria such as having academic content .
  • Summer courses at non-partner universities will be restricted and only courses that are part of the institution’s regular course offerings and part of their undergraduate degree will be considered.
  • A reminder that a maximum of 6 credits of courses taught through online education may be used towards your degree at ºÚÁÏÍø.

If you are in doubt about whether your summer course plans meet our requirements, please book an academic advising appointment in Insight in the BCom Hub before filling out your Study Away Request or making any plans with the other university.


Step 1: Select host institutionÌý

Find a host institution and verify their admission requirements and application deadlines.Ìýµþ±ð´Ú´Ç°ù±ðÌýsubmitting a Minerva Independent Study Away application, ensure that the host university is currently accepting students to studyÌýon campusÌýas non-degree, fee-paying Visiting Student and that you meet the host university's eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Course equivalency and transfer credits

All courses taken outside of ºÚÁÏÍø, including electives, must be actively equivalent in the . Get your course assessed for equivalency and verify course requirements.Ìý

A minimum of two-thirds of all program requirements must normally be completed at ºÚÁÏÍø. Therefore, a maximum of one-third of all program requirements may be completed at another university. The maximum number of credits includes pre-admission transfer credits, courses taken on exchange, via the independent study away, or via the Quebec Inter-University Transfer Agreement (IUT).

A maximum of 12 credits for your major, 6 credits for your concentration or minor and 9 credits for management core from any institution other than ºÚÁÏÍø.

Consult theÌýCourse equivalency and transfer creditsÌýpage for full details.

Step 3: Apply for Study Away

After the courses have been assessed as equivalent:

  • Apply for Study Away in MinervaÌýbefore the deadline (Student -> Student Records Menu -> Exchange/Study Away Menu):
    • Summer: opens on February 15 - deadline is August 15
    • Fall: opens on March 1 - deadline is AugustÌý15
    • Winter: opens on March 1 - deadline is December 15
      • Statements of Purpose are required for Study Away in the Fall and Winter terms only.
  • Fill out the Transfer Credit Assessment Form on Minerva.
  • bcom.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Study%20Away%20application%20submitted) (E-mail the BCom Office) at bcom.mgmt [at] mcgill.caÌýthat a form has been completed. Please include your student ID number and the country where you plan to study in your email.
  • After the BCom Office has been notified, a BCom Adviser will review/approve the application for Study Away and review/approve the courses.
  • Once all approvals are completed, a letter of permission will be generated on Minerva. Please retain this letter since the information it contains may be required by the host institution.

An application in Minerva to be approved for a Study away is required for any students taking courses away from ºÚÁÏÍø on their own.ÌýThe BCom Student Affairs Office reserves the right to not award credits for courses done away from ºÚÁÏÍø without permission.Ìý

Step 4: Arrange to have your transcript sent to ºÚÁÏÍø

You are responsible to have the host institution provide your home university with a copy of your Official Transcript of grades from your Study Away. The preferred method is for the host university to directly email the Official Transcript to officialschooldocs [at] mcgill.caÌý. Please arrange for a transcript to be sent to ºÚÁÏÍø as soon as your term is finished. You may be charged a fee for any changes that need to be made to your student record after government reporting deadlines have passed.

Important RemindersÌý

  • Approval does NOT guarantee you will be able to get into your chosen course(s).
  • A maximum of 6 credits ofÌýcourses taught through online education may be used towards your degree at ºÚÁÏÍø.
    • Students on US aidÌýenrolled in any online course are NOT eligible for U.S. Direct Loans as per government regulations. (this includes Blended courses).ÌýLearn more
  • The maximum number of credits that can be transferred includes pre-admission transfer credits, Exchange, Independent Study AwayÌýand IUT courses.Ìý
    • A maximum of 12 credits for your major, 6 credits for your concentration or minor and 9 credits for management core from any institution other than ºÚÁÏÍø.
  • Courses cannot be taken pass/fail. You mustÌýreceive a grade from the host school which will transfer as credits on your ºÚÁÏÍø transcript. Grades will not be calculated into your ºÚÁÏÍø GPA.
    • Course withdrawn after deadlines, failed, or excluded courses will also appear on your ºÚÁÏÍø transcript at the time of transfer credit assessment, but they will not reflect in your credit and GPA calculations.
  • If you decide not to do your Study Away, you must inform the BCom Office in writing. Failing to do so may delay graduation.
  • Please ensure that minor courses are approved by the minor adviser
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the ºÚÁÏÍø BCom requirements for all courses taken.

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