Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Master’s in Machine Learning
Research Master’s
Is there an admission process at Mila?
No, Mila is not a university and does not grant diplomas.
Supervision requests at Mila and university admission applications are separate processes that must be completed in parallel. You must be sure to register with the professor's department and affiliated university, even if you have not received confirmation of supervision from him or her.
All research students at Mila are affiliated with one of our partner universities or academic institutions that manage the formal admission process to the research master’s program. Mila facilitates the matching of students with potential supervisors through the Mila Supervision Request Form available online from October 15 to December 1. Visit the Supervision Requests page to learn more.
Please note that the Mila supervision request is one of the steps to be advised by a Mila-affiliated professor. Some professors do not participate in the Supervision Request process. If you would like to be supervised by a professor who is not listed in the Supervision Request form, you can contact that person directly by email.
Keep an eye on each university's admission deadlines to make sure you apply on time:
When can I submit my supervision request to Mila?
You must fill out the Mila Supervision Request Form between October 15 and December 1. For more information, visit the Supervision Requests page.
When will I get an answer from Mila about my supervision request?
In February or March, though the delay can sometimes extend into April.
For which semesters can I be admitted?
What is the duration of the master’s degree?
Will I be eligible for a scholarship during my studies?
Typically, when students receive a stipend it is paid from their supervisor's research funds in the form of an award or a scholarship. While the details and components may vary by individuals, academic departments, and universities the student stipends average between the following:
- MSc Research: $20K - $27K per year
- PhD: $25K - $31K per year
However, many students receive significantly more than the average. It is therefore recommended that you inquire about the amount your potential supervisor can offer you before accepting any supervision offer.
Furthermore, Mila also offers an annual EDI Scholarships Program to ensure the strong participation of women in the AI ecosystem and to encourage diversity as a lever for innovation in research:
- Category 1 — Excellence Scholarships - Women in AI
- Category 2 — Excellence Scholarships - EDI in Research
- Category 3 — Emergency Scholarships
To learn more about Mila’s EDI Scholarships Program, click here.
Am I allowed to apply for additional scholarships?
Yes! In fact, we encourage all students to do so. You should discuss with your potential/current supervisor how external scholarships are combined with other awards/stipends.
Example of scholarships students have applied for:
Will I have to pay university tuition fees?
Whether your supervisor covers your tuition fees depends on their university’s affiliation, labs and departmental policies as well as various other factors. You should discuss this topic with your potential/current supervisor.
What is the difference between being supervised by a core member or an associate member of Mila?
The type of membership (core or associate) determines the level of contribution and involvement expected within Mila as well as the privileges associated with each category of members and the students they supervise.
For example, students supervised by core academic members have access to the following Mila resources:
- Access Mila's computing infrastructure
- A Mila email account (@mila.quebec)
- Several accesses to Mila's digital tools and resources
- Access to a desk space (assigned, or reservation-based) in the Mila academic space
- A magnetic key card to access Mila's physical spaces
Students supervised by associate academic members have access to the following Mila resources:
- A Mila email account (@mila.quebec) with activity restricted to the mila.quebec domain
- Access to most of Mila's digital tools and resources
- Access to a shared desk space in the Mila co-working zone
- A magnetic key card to access Mila's physical spaces
*Students supervised by associate academic members do not have access to Mila's computing infrastructure.
Is it possible to get a teaching assistant position?
Yes, if you meet the required qualifications.
Do I need to pass a French exam to be eligible to study at Université de Montréal?
The Quebec government requires all international students to speak French in some capacity if they are to attend a French university, which is why they ask for TEF or TOEFL results when you apply for a CAQ or study permit. However, the DIRO department of Université de Montréal is an exception. No French exam is required.
Please note that if you wish to stay in Quebec and enter the job market, learning French would be an asset for you.
Is the program offered to international students?
Yes, we encourage international students to apply.
