Enrolment

Prior-learning recognition is a process that aims to award incoming undergraduate students credits for learning experiences gained outside of educational institutions: in professional experience, self-teaching, non-credited courses or microprograms, workplace training, Indigenous community engagement, community involvement and in other situations. Prior-learning Recognition (PLR) allows students who have acquired knowledge and developed skills in a non-traditional manner and in a variety of contexts to receive advanced standing for a course (specific course code) offered at the University or, in certain instances, to be granted an exemption.

Advanced-standing units appear on your official transcript, but do not count toward University of Ottawa residency requirements (that is, courses students must follow at the University of Ottawa itself to graduate from it).

Units obtained for prior learning might not be recognized by the discipline's licensing body or professional association.

Academic Regulation B-6: Prior-Learning Recognition

Advanced standing means recognition of a course you’ve passed in another education institution as counting for units as part of a program of studies at the University of Ottawa.

Several conditions must be met so that you can be granted prior-learning recognition, notably:

1. that you submit a request as soon as possible after you have accepted your offer of admission, or during your first study term as a University of Ottawa student. (The assessment period may be lengthy.)
2. that the courses for which you want to obtain advanced standing via prior-learning recognition are courses offered in the following Faculties and School: Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, and Social Sciences, and the Telfer School of Management
3. that the courses for which you want to obtain advanced standing via prior-learning recognition are part of your program of studies (compulsory or optional)
4. that the courses for which you want to obtain advanced standing via prior-learning recognition were scheduled (i.e. offered) at the University of Ottawa within the last 36 months
5. that the knowledge gained is judged equal to the one the students taking the uOttawa corresponding course will gain.

A maximum of 30 units can be granted for prior learning recognition.

Academic Regulation B-6: Prior-Learning Recognition

The University will consider granting advanced standing for courses taken at other postsecondary institutions in undergraduate studies, provided that:

1. the learning outcomes of these courses correspond to the required and/or optional courses in the program for which you are applying
2. the units for these courses were earned while you were taking units in a comparable program at a recognized university or college
3. you have earned a passing grade in these courses
4. the number of units you claim for the course is not greater than the number of credits corresponding to the course offered at the University of Ottawa.

You must complete at least 50% of the units required for your degree at the University of Ottawa, regardless of any advanced standing granted, except in the case of formal Senate-approved agreements between the University of Ottawa and other institution. For the Faculty of Education undergraduate programs, 50% of the practicum requirements must be completed at the University.

Academic Regulation B-3.2.

You may obtain advanced standing in your graduate studies depending on various conditions:

If you have completed graduate-level courses at the University of Ottawa as a non-degree student and are then admitted to a graduate diploma or graduate program at the University, you may be granted equivalencies for a maximum of up to 50% of the program’s requirements - unless otherwise stated in the regulations for your program.

If you have completed graduate-level courses at another university andare then admitted to a graduate diploma or graduate program at the University, admissions committees may grant equivalencies for up to 50% of the program’s requirements. In the case of transfers at the doctoral level, the comprehensive examination, the thesis project and the thesis must be completed while enrolled in the program at the University of Ottawa or at Saint Paul University.

If you already hold a graduate diploma or a graduate degree (master’s or doctorate), you may, upon being admitted to another master’s or doctoral program, be granted equivalencies for courses completed during your previous graduate degree. To be eligible, courses must:

• be deemed relevant by the program admissions committee;
• have been successfully completed with a grade of at least 70% (B);
• have been completed within eight years of admission to the latest graduate program; and
• be at the same level (master’s or doctoral) as the program to which the student seeks admission.

Unless otherwise stated in the regulations for a specific program, the number of course units that can be transferred may not exceed 25% of the course units required by the program to which you seek admission. The comprehensive examination, the thesis project and the thesis may not count as equivalencies.

Academic Regulation C-2: Admission to Graduate Programs

An exemption is not advanced standing, but rather a permission granted to replace a course that is normally required in a program of study with another course. Exemptions are granted when the University recognizes that, as a group, all the courses passed at another institution or the skills and knowledge acquired in another setting meet the educational objectives of a course required for a University of Ottawa program, but that advanced standing cannot be granted. For example, second and foreign language skills acquired outside the university may qualify for exemptions, but not for advanced standing. You don’t have to take the course you’re exempted from, but you must replace the units with units from another course (in the same discipline or an elective).

To take courses, or to take part in activities such as discussion groups, labs or internships, you must enroll by the deadline indicated on the Important academic dates and deadlines page. You will not receive the units or a grade for a course or an activity if you are not enrolled, nor can you enroll or change your enrolment after the deadlines indicated.

The Fall term runs from September to December, the Winter term runs from January to April and the Spring/Summer term runs from May to August. See the Important academic dates and deadlines page for the start and end dates for the current year.

Professors must start courses at the time indicated on the course timetable and finish at the time indicated. See the Course Timetable.

Your professors will give you a syllabus or course outline during the first class of each course. The terms "course outline" and "syllabus" are interchangeable.

A syllabus includes, among other things:

• a course description
• the learning outcomes
• the teaching methods
• how you will be assessed and how your grade will be calculated
• a list of required and suggested readings
• the dates of course activities and evaluations (tests, exams)
• the course attendance requirements
• the professor's contact information and office hours
• mention of the University's regulation on  academic integrity and academic misconduct
• The following paragraph from Academic Regulation A-1 on Bilingualism:

“Except in programs and courses for which language is a requirement, all students have the right to produce their written work and to answer examination questions in the official language of their choice, regardless of the course’s language of instruction.”

Academic Regulation A-2: Courses

If you want to change your undergraduate program, we recommend that you first consult the list of undergraduate programs and courses. Also, make sure that you meet the particular admission requirements for the program you are interested in.

You should then fill out the appropriate form  on uoZone (under Applications, click on Program Change Request Form). Details concerning the steps to follow are on the Make changes to your undergraduate program page.

All your courses are retained to calculate your average, whether your program change takes place within the same Faculty or at another Faculty.

Note: This process does not apply to the Faculties of Law (Common Law and Civil Law sections), Education, or Medicine, except for the Honours Bachelor of Science in Translational and Molecular Medicine.

Academic Regulation B-4.2

If you’re an undergraduate student in a direct-entry Faculty (Arts, Engineering, Health Sciences, Science, Social Sciences or the Telfer School of Management), you can simultaneously enroll in a maximum of 15 units per term unless your program requires more.

Generally, a course that lasts for one term is worth three units. If you want to enroll in more units than the maximum number allowed by your Faculty, you must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 6.0 or higher and have permission from your Faculty.

Academic regulation B-4.3

The maximum number of units allowed during a term could vary depending on your program. Please refer to yourprogram requirements and your academic unit or Faculty to help you build your timetable.

If you want to improve your grade (or simply strengthen your knowledge), you can repeat a course (whether you passed it or failed it), if you are enrolled in an undergraduate program (except for the Common Law Section of the Faculty of Law, the undergraduate medical education program or the Faculty of Education).

You can even repeat a successfully completed course that is a prerequisite for a course you have already taken and passed, with the exception of courses offered by the Telfer School of Management and language courses offered by the Faculty of Arts.

The following conditions apply:

1. All courses taken and repeated appear on your transcript.

2. All courses, whether passed or failed, can be repeated up to three times. For the third attempt, you must consult the Undergraduate Studies Office of your Faculty. Only the last grade obtained is used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average (CGPA). A failing grade can replace a passing grade. The final grade from the last attempt will be included in the CGPA calculation when the result is considered official.

Academic Regulation B-4.5.

Yes. To meet your program’s requirements, you may have to take a certain number of electives (courses that you choose among all courses the University offers). To see what’s available, see the Courses offered at the University of Ottawa or the Electives without prerequisites. Keep in mind that for certain courses, you must have met the prerequisites and that there are limited places in certain courses for students from outside the faculty.

Academic regulation B-4.4.

Yes, it’s possible to do so.

If you’re an undergraduate student:

The University of Ottawa has agreements with Carleton University and Saint Paul University allowing students to take courses at these institutions without having to pay additional tuition fees. However, if the course you want to take at one of these institutions is also offered at uOttawa during the same term, your request will generally not be approved. An exception can however be made if the course is full, if the course is absolutely required to complete your program, or

for other valid reasons. Other rules may also apply; please contact your Faculty for more information.

If you wish to take a course at a university for which no such agreement is in place, you must obtain a letter of permission from your Faculty by filling out the appropriate form. If your request is approved, you will receive a letter of permission that allows you to register for a course at the other institution (this institution could also ask for other documents). You will have to pay administrative fees to the University of Ottawa, as well as tuition fees to the other institution.

If you're a graduate student:

If the university is in Ontario, first check whether it is part of the Ontario Visiting Graduate Students (OVGS) Program. If so, please complete and submit the student application form found on the OVGS website.

If the institution is not part of the OVGS program or is outside Ontario, you must obtain a letter of permission from your Faculty by filling out the appropriate form. If your request is approved, you will receive a letter of permission that allows you to register for a course at the other institution (this institution could also ask for other documents). You will have to pay administrative fees to the University of Ottawa, as well as tuition fees to the other institution.

A letter of permission allows you to make a request to take courses at a university with which the University of Ottawa doesn’t have an agreement.

When there is an agreement between the University of Ottawa and another institution, you don’t need a letter of permission to take courses. You just need to have your request approved by your faculty and by the institution where you will be taking courses. The procedure is different for each institution.

To take courses at Carleton University, you must:

1. Complete the Exchange Program University of Ottawa-Carleton University form.
2. Have the form approved by your Faculty.
3. Have the form approved by the Carleton University Registrar’s Office and meet the Carleton enrolment requirements.
4. Bring the approved form to your Faculty to complete your enrolment and to pay the fees for your courses at both universities.

It is important that you complete this process before the enrolment deadlines. Please refer to the Exchange Program University of Ottawa-Carleton University page for more details.

To enroll for courses at Saint Paul University, contact your Faculty.

You can only take courses that meet your program requirements.

To get a letter of permission, you must first meet your Faculty’s academic standing requirements. Your faculty must receive your request for a letter of permission before the following dates:

• April 15 for the Spring-Summer term
• August 15 for the Fall term
• December 15 for the Winter term.

Once your Faculty or School has made a decision (usually within 20 business days), they will contact you by sending an email to your @uOttawa.ca account. If your application is approved, a copy of the letter of permission will be included.

If you take a course at another university without receiving a letter of permission, the course will not be recognized, except in exceptional circumstances.

Please be aware that grades you receive from Carleton University and Saint Paul University, , and courses taken in partnership with the Ontario Visiting Graduate Students (OVGS) program are included in your University of Ottawa cumulative grade point average.

Grades you receive from other universities aren’t included in your grade point average. You receive a CR (credited course) or NC (no credit) grade on your transcript. Furthermore, in order for these courses to be credited, you must obtain a minimum grade of 60% (note: all courses in Nursing and Nutrition Sciences require 65%). At the graduate level, the minimum grade required is 65% or more, depending on the program. If the required minimum grade is not obtained, an NC grade will appear on your transcript.

You must ensure an official transcript is sent to your[ÉD1]  University of Ottawa faculty at the end of the term. Otherwise, you will receive an NC grade on your transcript. This does not apply if you are taking courses at Carleton University or Saint Paul University.

Your official transcript of the results obtained in courses for which a letter of permission was issued must be received by your faculty before May 15 if you are registered for spring convocation and before September 15 if you are registered for fall convocation[ÉD2] .

If you drop the course(s) for which you obtained a letter of permission, or decide not to enroll in one or more of them, you must inform your University of Ottawa Faculty or School by sending them an email from your @uOttawa.ca account or by completing a new letter of permission application and choosing ‘’Withdrawal – Course(s) to be dropped” option by the deadline indicated on the Important academic dates and deadlines website.

Courses you take at another university with a letter of permission don’t count towards the University of Ottawa residency requirements, that is, the number of units you’ve received for courses taken at the University of Ottawa.

Academic regulation B-5.4.

You can do an internship or a term of studies abroad as part of an international exchange program approved by the University of Ottawa.

The content and hours of instruction of the courses you want to take abroad must meet University of Ottawa requirements and you must get them approved before your departure.

You have to enrol in the equivalent of a normal full-time University of Ottawa course load. As well, the number of units you’re taking must be fully applicable towards your program. Therefore, you must be sure that you have a sufficient number of units left to complete before you start the administrative procedures necessary to go on an exchange.

If you receive a passing grade for one or more courses you’ve taken at a university abroad, you automatically receive units for the course(s) in question.

For more information on international exchanges, visit the uOInternational website.

Academic regulation B-5.5.

If you’re enrolled full time and you’ve passed all your courses at a foreign partner institution, the University will renew your scholarship or bursary, including if it is one that is renewed only if you maintain a specific grade point average.

Academic regulation B-5.5.