Does McGill University accept Economics HL?

💡Expert's Take

“McGill grants 6 credits for Economics HL, and while they count toward your degree, they are essentially 'Ghost Credits' for the Economics Department.

The Reality: These credits cover the prerequisites (Intro Micro/Macro), but they count for zero credits toward the actual Major (0/36) or Minor (0/18). You cannot use them to skip any of the required theory courses.

The 'D' Course Trap: Because you are skipping the intro, you land directly in ECON 230D (Microeconomic Theory).

The Danger: The 'D' stands for 'Double Term' (Sept–April). It is a full-year commitment. If you struggle and drop it in January, you lose the entire year. There is no 'Winter restart.'

The Skill Gap: IB Economics was about graphs and concepts; ECON 230D is about Calculus and Proofs. You need to be fluent in derivatives (Calculus 1) on Day 1. If you aren't comfortable with math, this course will crush you.

Verdict: Enjoy the 6 elective credits—they help you graduate faster. But do not mistake them for progress in your major. You are starting from the same starting line as everyone else, just with a harder first course.”