What courses can you take during the summer?
Course offerings depend on the institution, faculty and session. To get an idea of the formats to compare, here are two courses listed in McGill’s 2026 schedule:
| Course | Credits and dates in 2026 | Particulars |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 201, Introduction to Archaeology | 3 credits, May 4 to June 4 | A course spread over about one month |
| BIOL 331 | 3 credits, June 1 to 12 | An intensive field course, with access requirements and additional fees |
These examples do not guarantee that the courses will be offered or that a place will be available in a future summer. For BIOL 331, the department’s description specifies that prerequisites or instructor permission apply. It places the fieldwork at the Gault Nature Reserve, while the schedule lists the Downtown Campus.
McGill’s general calendar for summer 2026 listed three session start dates: May 1, June 5 and July 10. Management and law had separate information. These dates are reference points: those for a particular course may differ, as BIOL 331 shows. Do not assume they apply at another university or in 2027.
For each course you are considering, look up the detailed schedule, assessments and expected independent work. Two courses worth the same number of credits are not necessarily organized in the same way: a field stay and a course spread over a month do not have the same day-to-day schedule.
Getting ahead on a course does not always mean graduating sooner
Start with your program requirements, not the summer schedule. A course may fulfil a program requirement, count as an elective or not fit into the degree you are planning to pursue. Its usefulness also depends on what comes next: if another required course can only be taken later, getting ahead during the summer may mainly lighten a future session.
Compare two personal timelines:
| Question | Without a summer course | With a summer course |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement concerned | When would it normally be fulfilled? | Does the course you have chosen actually fulfil it? |
| Sequence | Which prerequisites remain to be completed? | Does the course make it possible to move on to a later step sooner? |
| Program completion | When would the other requirements be completed? | Does the possible completion date change, or is the workload simply distributed more evenly? |
Review this comparison with someone responsible for your program. If you plan to take the course at another university, ask your home institution for written confirmation of the anticipated credit recognition before you register. Check the number of credits and how they would count toward your degree: acceptance as an elective does not necessarily mean that the course replaces a specific requirement.
Calculate the full cost, not just tuition
The price of a course depends, among other things, on the rate that applies to your situation. At McGill, for summer 2026, undergraduate tuition was CAD 100.89 per credit for someone who had demonstrated eligibility for the Quebec rate. For 3 credits, that amounted to CAD 302.67 in tuition, before ancillary fees and any course-specific fees. This rate did not automatically apply to every Canadian or to international students, and it is not confirmed for 2027.
Some courses also involve specific expenses. For BIOL 331, the description consulted listed CAD 885 in additional fees covering accommodation, meals and course materials provided. This amount is separate from tuition and other applicable fees; it is not an individual invoice for a future session.
To compare your summer with a pathway that does not include a summer course, budget for:
- tuition based on your status and the number of credits;
- mandatory fees and course-specific fees, as well as materials;
- accommodation, meals and transportation during the period;
- income you might give up if the course reduces your availability to work;
- any expenses your new schedule might help you avoid.
Ask for the fee schedule that applies to your session and category. A course that helps you get ahead may also change how expenses are distributed without necessarily reducing the total cost of your degree.
Application, registration and withdrawal dates
First, identify your status with the institution: a student already registered, a visiting student or another applicable category. At McGill, access to summer courses depends, among other things, on the faculty, prerequisites and restrictions. Being admitted as a visiting student therefore does not mean that all courses are open to you. Also check availability and any permissions required for the specific section.
Next, note the application or registration, payment, course-change and withdrawal dates. They do not all answer the same question: being able to withdraw from a course does not necessarily mean you will receive a refund.
Before paying, check with the institution for the deadline and refund conditions that apply to your course. In a condensed format, an important deadline may arrive early.
International students: check study and work separately
A short summer session is not automatically a standalone program. According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) tool consulted on November 7, 2026, a person may be exempt from a study permit for studies of 6 months or less if they are not part of a longer program and can be completed during the authorized stay. A short session that is part of a longer course of study must therefore be considered in context.
Check separately whether you need a study permit, which travel document applies and, for Quebec, which requirements are relevant. This is general information and does not replace an assessment of your situation.
If you plan to work during the summer, do not assume that the entire period is a scheduled break. For people eligible to work off campus, IRCC distinguishes between periods of study and breaks officially scheduled by the institution. Check your eligibility, the conditions of your status and whether the period qualifies as a break before including income in your budget.
Choose a summer that genuinely supports your plans
Before deciding, get answers to four questions:
- Usefulness: Which requirement does the course fulfil, and has this been confirmed?
- Schedule: Does your possible completion date change, or do you mainly gain a less demanding future session?
- Budget: Which fees, lost income or avoided expenses differ between the two scenarios?
- Pace: Will there still be enough time for courses, independent work, your other commitments and rest?
Even if the course does not shorten your degree, it may still meet your goal of lightening a later period. Conversely, if the benefit is uncertain or your budget is too tight, waiting for another session may be a reasonable choice. The important thing is to compare the two complete pathways rather than counting summer credits in isolation.