Bulk metallic glass formations in Mg-Ni-Y alloy systems are investigated using cluster line approach in combination, and the cluster formulae stability, glass-forming ability (GFA), corrosion resistance properties of sample were investigated by Δ, RDAC, σ, 砢, τ, φ and icorr. The results are shown: Mg32.3Ni21.5Y46.2、Mg30.9Ni40.6Y28.5 and Mg27.2Ni47.8Y25.0 bulk metallic glasses using cluster line criterion have a high Δ, RDAC, σ, 砢, τ, φ, which are advantageous of the cluster formulae stability and the increase of glass-forming ability (GFA). All the sample have a low icorr, which indicate that the Mg-Ni-Y alloys designed show good corrosion resistance in NaOH solution.