Mission

(adopted in 1991)
"The mission of McGill University is the advancement of learning through teaching, scholarship and service to society by offering to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the best education available, by carrying out scholarly activities judged to be excellent when measured against the highest international standards, and by providing service to society in those ways for which we are well suited by virtue of our academic strengths."

Motto

Grandescunt Aucta Labore
("By work, all things increase and grow.")

Coat of arms

The McGill coat of arms (that is, the shield along with the scroll beneath) is derived from an armorial device assumed during his lifetime by the founder of the University, James McGill. The University's patent of arms was granted by England's Garter-King-at-Arms in 1922 and registered in 1956 with Lord Lyon King of Arms in Edinburgh and in 1992 with the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada. In heraldic terms, the coat of arms is described as follows: "Argent three Martlets Gules, on a chief dancette of the second, an open book proper garnished or bearing the legend In Domino Confido in letters Sable between two crowns of the first. Motto: Grandescunt Aucta Labore." The coat of arms consists of two parts, the shield and the scroll.

The coat of arms and other McGill symbols are a source of pride and identification for the University and are protected by trademark.

McGill's Secretariat is the headquarters for matters ceremonial, convocations, special events, the McGill coat of arms and "signature," letters of credence, the University seal, permission to use the University coat of arms and signature.