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Study away

Thinking of studying abroad and want to transfer credits for French as a Second Language (FRSL) courses? Make sure you're fully prepared by following all the steps and requirements—both before you leave and once you return. This page will guide you through the process.

If you have questions about how to apply for a study-away, contact your program advisor.

The French Language Centre (FLC) is here to help only with the pre-approval of your FRSL course(s) before you go, and to recommend a credit transfer once you return.

Before you leave

What are the documents needed :

For Host Universities outside Quebec

Obtain a "Letter of Permission Authorizing Study Away in the Summer Session" (from Student Affairs Office).


For Quebec Host Universities

Obtain an "Authorization to Transfer Credits (IUT)" form (from Student Affairs Office).

  1. Submit the appropriate form indicating your French academic background, provide copies of your completed transcripts from McGill, any other University, CEGEP attended and from your High School, including any advanced credit exams.
  2. Have Centre form and other appropriate forms signed at the Centre.
  3. Submit all documents (signed) to Student affairs Office to obtain faculty approval for STUDY AWAY.

What you need before taking a course

Once you have chosen your host university and the French as a Second Language course(s) you wish to take during your study-away, please follow these two steps:

Step 1: Verify if the FLS course(s) is already assessed

Search McGill’s to see if the FSL course(s) you wish to take has (have) been already assessed. Make sure to include expired decisions while conducting the search.

There are 3 possible scenarios:

  1. If a course has previously been approved on the Course Equivalency System and the decision is not expired, it means you could receive FRSL credits for it. Go to step 2.
  2. If a course is not on the Course Equivalency System, submit a new request. To do so, enter the relevant information about the course and upload the course syllabus to the database (make sure to use the course syllabus checklist).
  3. If a course has previously been approved but the decision is expired, request a reassessment by clicking the “Request Reassessment” button.

For options 2 and 3 only:

Once all the necessary information has been entered correctly, the assessor at the FLC will determine if the course in question is equivalent to an FRSL course at McGill. If that is the case, the assessor will process your request based on the course content, the number of hours of instruction and the methods of evaluation. To be approved, a course must be taken at an approved host university (). This process usually takes 5-10 business days to complete. Please allow extra time during busy periods.

If your request is approved, the course will now appear as equivalent to “FRSL XXX” in the database. Note that a specific course equivalency will only be granted after the completion of the written and oral post-test, once you have returned.

If you need assistance on how to navigate the McGill’s Course Equivalency System, please refer to the FAQ or contact a program advisor directly.

Step 2 : Enter Your FSL Course(s) in Minerva

Add the FRSL course(s) you intend to take during your study-away to the Minerva Transfer Credit Assessment Form, or MTCAF (see tutorial). The MTCAF must accurately reflect the courses you are registered for at the host university.

A program advisor and/or IT Services (but not the FLC) can help you navigate Minerva Transfer Credit Assessment Form, if need be. For deadlines, please contact your faculty or program advisor directly.

If needed, consult for Arts students.

Once you returned

Post-test (Transfer of credits)

In order to receive FRSL credits for a French as a Second Language course course taken during your study-away, please follow the procedure below. But first, make sure you have completed all the necessary steps prior to your study-away.

Step 1: Send Your Official Transcript to McGill

Please use the opportunity to order an official transcript for your own record.

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Enrolment Services
Management of Academic Records
3415 McTavish Street
Montreal, Quebec
Canada, H3A 0C8
ATT: Arts Study Away

Step 2: Take the Post-Testfor French Course Credit Transfer

If you took a French as a Second Language course at another university and wish to receive FRSL credits for it, you must take a post-test at the FLC as soon as you have returned.

Transfer of credits is not automatic but pending on the post-test results. Failure to complete the post-test may delay your graduation.

The post-test is made up of two parts: an online written test followed by an oral interview with an assessor (natallia.liakina [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Natallia Liakina)) from the FLC. Here is how you should proceed:

  1. Complete the at home. The password is 5432. Please, do not use any dictionary to complete this test. Note thatthe results for the online test will not be sent to your faculty; to finalize your transfer of credits, you mustmeet with the FLC assessor.
  2. Prepare for the oral interview:
  • Download, fill out this form: File form_student.docxand email it together with thecourse syllabus of the course(s) you tookto natallia.liakina [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Natallia Liakina).
  • Then, contact Prof. Natallia Liakina again in order to schedule the oral interview.

Once Prof. Liakina has received these 2 documents, she will send you a link for an online post-test interview on , based on the time slot you selected.

Once both your written and oral skills have been assessed, the assessor will issue a recommendation for a transfer of credit (with a more specific FRSL course code) and send it to your Faculty.

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