6. Understanding Degrees, Programs and Courses

6.1 General Information

Note that, as UTSC is a distinct Faculty (Division) of the University of Toronto, regulations governing students registered at UTSC may differ from those in the other arts and science Divisions, including the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) and University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). UTSC students contemplating transfers to other Divisions are urged to consult Enrolment Services to understand how they may be affected by differences in regulations.

Degree and Program Completion

Students are wholly and ultimately responsible for ensuring their academic programs meet UTSC’s regulations in all respects, including: completeness and correctness of course selection, compliance with prerequisite and corequisite requirements, completion of program requirements, completion of degree requirements and observance of all academic regulations and deadlines. When in doubt, seek guidance only from a responsible officer, such as Program Supervisors/Directors, departmental program advisors, academic advisors from the Academic Advising & Career Centre, and the Office of the Registrar. Misunderstanding, or advice received from another student will not be accepted as cause for dispensation from any regulation, deadline, course, program or degree requirement.

Enrolment Limits

UTSC makes every reasonable effort to plan and control enrolment to ensure students are prepared to complete the programs to which they are admitted and to strike a practicable balance between enrolment and available instructional resources. Towards this end, UTSC reserves the right to limit enrolment in programs, courses, or sections, and to withdraw courses or sections for which enrolment or resources are insufficient. UTSC and the wider University will not be liable for any loss, damages, or other expenses that such limitations or withdrawals might cause.

Changes in Programs and/or Courses

The programs and courses described in this Calendar are active as of the Fall term, and available for the academic year to which this Calendar applies: they may not necessarily be available in later years. For each active program offered by UTSC, the courses necessary to complete its minimum requirements will be made available annually.

If UTSC must change the content of courses, instructors and instructional assignments, enrolment limits, prerequisites and corequisites, grading policies, requirements for promotion or timetables, all reasonable possible advance notice and alternative instruction will be given; however, UTSC reserves the right to make such changes without prior notice. UTSC and the wider University will not be liable for any loss, damages, or other expenses that such changes might cause.

6A. Completing Your Degree

6A.1 General Information

UTSC offers the following degrees:

  • Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA)
  • Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc)
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Students earn their degrees only after they complete all of the requirements described below. While doing so, students must adhere to the academic rules, regulations and policies outlined in the Calendar, on the Office of the Registrar website, and on the University’s Governing Council website. Degrees are conferred at university convocations, held twice annually: in June (Spring Convocation) and November (Fall Convocation). Students in their graduating year who intend to graduate and take part in the next Convocation must notify the Office of the Registrar of their intention through ACORN by the deadline listed on the "Academic Dates" page on the Office of the Registrar website.

Prospective graduands should expect assessment emails from the Office of the Registrar or the relevant academic units, before the end of March (for June graduation), or by late September (for November graduation) regarding the status of their program(s) and their degree requirements. This email will notify them if each program(s) and overall degree requirements are pending, complete, or incomplete. They can also check Degree Explorer for confirmation of their eligibility for graduation. For detailed information on graduation and convocation, please refer to the Office of the Registrar website.

Non-Degree Students:

Non-degree students are students registered in degree courses at UTSC:

  • Who are not proceeding towards a University of Toronto degree or Certificate; or
  • Who have been admitted on an interim basis and who must meet certain conditions before admission as regular degree students.

Except for regulations concerning degree requirements and regulations where non-degree students are specifically exempted, all regulations apply equally to non-degree students and degree students. Where students have been admitted on an interim basis as non-degree students, the conditions of their admission supersede the normal regulations governing academic status. Students admitted as non-degree students are not permitted to enroll in UTSC programs.

Non-Degree Previous Degree Students:

A Non-Degree Previous Degree Student is an undergraduate alumnus of the University of Toronto (including UTSC) who has been approved to take credit courses in an academic session following graduation.

  1. To become registered as a Non-Degree Previous Degree Student, an application is required by the deadlines set by the UTSC Office of the Registrar, before the beginning of each academic year. Registration is at the discretion of the Office of the Registrar and students will be subject to an application fee. Degree-seeking students will normally take priority in allocating space in classes and other resources.
  2. Non-Degree Previous Degree Students are not associated with a Subject POSt (e.g., Specialist Program in Chemistry, Major Program in English), or degree program of study (e.g., Honours Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration), and are not permitted to enroll in programs after graduation. Any remaining uncompleted Subject POSts at the time of graduation will be purged during the degree conferral process.
  3. Academic activities taken as a Non-Degree Previous Degree Student do not count towards Subject POSt or degree requirements; however, they do count towards the GPA.
  4. Non-Degree Previous Degree Students pay tuition and incidental fees, as per the UTSC fee schedule.
  5. Non-Degree Previous Degree Students are subject to the University of Toronto’s Code of Student Conduct.
  6. Except for regulations concerning degree requirements and regulations where non-degree students are specifically exempted, all regulations apply equally to Non-Degree Previous Degree Students and degree students.

Students Transferring to UTSC from Another Institution:

Students who transfer from another institution to UTSC are required to complete at least half of their program requirements, and half of their course credits, at UTSC. Where all UTSC degrees require students to complete a total of 20.0 credits, students who transfer from another institution, may transfer a maximum of 10.0 credits towards their degree. However, the maximum number of transfer credits students can use towards a program will be determined by the program; for example, for a program that requires a total of 12.0 credits students may use a maximum of 6.0 credits, but for a program that requires a total of 8.0 credits students may use a maximum of 4.0 credits.

Students Transferring to UTSC from the Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) or University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM):

Where all UTSC degrees require students to complete a total of 20.0 credits, students transferring from another Arts and Science division or Faculty of the University of Toronto are required to complete at least half of their course credits at UTSC. Upon transferring, a maximum of 10.0 credits will be retained as part of their UTSC degree. If students have more than 10.0 credits but these include UTSC courses, the UTSC courses will be retained over and above the 10.0 credits. Students transferring from another Arts and Science division or faculty of the University of Toronto are exempt from the program's maximum requirement.

6A.2 Degree Requirements

Students must complete the degree requirements outlined in the UTSC Calendar which is in effect during their first, or any subsequent, session of registration at UTSC, up to degree completion.

Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA) and Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc):

To qualify for the degree, students must:

  1. Pass a minimum of 20.0 credits:
    • Of the 20.0 credits, at least 6.0 credits must be at the C- and/or D-level, with at least 1.0 credit at the D-level:
    • Of the 20.0 credits, at least 0.5 credit must come from each of the following five breadth categories (breadth categories are identified in course descriptions):
      • Arts, Literature & Language
      • History, Philosophy & Cultural Studies
      • Social & Behavioural Sciences
      • Natural Sciences
      • Quantitative Reasoning
  2. Complete a program or programs as below (only programs offered by UTSC may be used to fulfill degree requirements, and students are permitted to graduate with a maximum of three certified programs):
    • At least one Specialist program; or
    • At least two Major programs; or
    • At least one Major program and two Minor offerings.
  3. Ensure the combinations of programs used to meet the degree requirement include a minimum of 12.0 distinct credits.
  4. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.85. A student whose cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is at least 1.60, but less than 1.85, may request to graduate with a BA or BSc.

Notes:

  • Some combinations of programs are not possible due to the similarity in course requirements. Students with questions or concerns are advised to consult the Academic Advising & Career Centre to ensure they complete a minimum of 12.0 different credits. In the event that a student completes two certified Major programs and an additional certified Minor, the 12.0 distinct credits may be taken from any of these certified programs.
  • The CGPA requirement to complete certain programs is higher than 1.85. For details see the individual program descriptions.

The type of degree students receive, whether HBA or HBSc, will be determined by the Specialist or Major program completed. For example:

  • Students completing a Specialist BA program will receive an HBA degree;
  • Students completing a Specialist BSc program will receive an HBSc degree;
  • Students completing a Major BA program, in conjunction with any combination of two Minor programs, will receive an HBA degree;
  • Students completing a Major BSc program, in conjunction with any combination of two Minor programs, will receive an HBSc degree;
  • Students completing a Major BA program and a Major BSc program may choose either the HBA or HBSc degree.

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA):

To qualify for the degree, students must:

  1. Pass a minimum of 20.0 credits.
    • Of the 20.0 credits, at least 6.0 credits must be at the C- and/or D-level, with at least 1.0 credit at the D-level
    • Of the 20.0 credits, at least 0.5 credit must come from each of the following five breadth categories (breadth categories are identified in course descriptions):
      • Arts, Literature & Language
      • History, Philosophy & Cultural Studies
      • Social & Behavioural Sciences
      • Natural Sciences
      • Quantitative Reasoning
    • Of the 20.0 credits, at least 0.5 credit must come from courses designated as work-integrated-learning (work-integrated-learning, or WIL, courses are identified in course descriptions).
  2. Programs: complete one of the Specialist programs in Management, or the Specialist in Economics for Management Studies
    • Note: only programs offered by UTSC may be used to fulfill degree requirements.
  3. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
    • Note: the CGPA requirement to complete certain programs is higher than 2.0. For details see the individual program descriptions.

6A.3 Other Degrees

Double Degree Programs:

The Double Degree programs create an accelerated pathway for students who would otherwise have to complete two separate Specialist programs. Students are required to complete a total of 25.0 credits, and can complete both undergraduate programs and degrees within five years. For more information please visit the Double Degree Programs section of this Calendar.

  1. The Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, in partnership with the Department of Management, offers the following Double Degrees programs:
    • Double Degree: BBA, Specialist program in Management and Finance/Honours BSc, Specialist program in Statistics, Quantitative Finance Stream
    • Double Degree: BBA, Specialist (Co-operative) program in Management and Finance/Honours BSc, Specialist (Co-operative) program in Statistics, Quantitative Finance Stream
  2. The Department of English, in partnership with the Department of Psychology, offers the following Double Degree program:
    • Double Degree: Honours BA, Specialist program in English/Honours BSc, Specialist program in Psychology

Combined Degree Programs:

UTSC offers a diverse array of Combined Degree Programs (CDPs). A CDP allows a student to be registered in two-degree programs at the same time, creating one approved program combination and pathway. Students complete the requirements for both degrees in a manner that provides a benefit that would not be available to students completing each degree program separately. For more information, see the Combined Degree Programs section of this Calendar.

  1. Combined Degree Programs, Bachelor of Business Administration/ Master of Accounting and Finance
  2. Combined Degree Programs, Honours Bachelor of Science/Master of Environmental Science
  3. Combined Degree Programs, Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Engineering
  4. Combined Degree Programs, Honours Bachelor of Science/ Master of Social Work
  5. Combined Degree Programs, Honours Bachelor of Science or Honours Bachelor of Arts/ Master of Teaching

Second Degrees:

Students who have graduated with a degree from the University of Toronto, or another accredited university, may apply in accordance with posted deadlines to begin a second degree. Application for admission to a second degree is made through the Office of Admissions & Student Recruitment at UTSC. Before applying, students are urged to consider if a second degree is actually required for their purposes; for example, a make-up year as a non-degree student may satisfy admission requirements for graduate school. Students are advised to check with the graduate schools to confirm that non-degree courses or second degrees will be considered. Students are governed by the rules in place at UTSC at the time they commence their second degree.

Students who successfully apply for a second degree may pursue either an Honours Bachelor of Arts (HBA) or an Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc) degree. A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) may not be pursued as a second degree; however, students who have completed a BBA as a first degree may pursue an HBA or HBSc as a second degree. The second degree may not include a program(s) in any of the same discipline(s) as the first degree (e.g., a student awarded a first HBA including a program in English may not pursue a second HBA including a program in English, or a student awarded a first HBSc including a program in Psychology may not pursue a second HBSc including a program in Psychology).

Students wanting to pursue a second degree in a limited enrolment program may need to complete prerequisite courses as a non-degree student before entering the second degree. These students should consult with the Office of the Registrar for limited enrolment program requirements.

Students beginning a second degree are granted 5.0 credits towards the completion of the degree (4.0 credits at the A-level and 1.0 credits at the B-level), regardless of the number of previous degrees held; to earn the second degree, students must complete a minimum further 15.0 credits as UTSC students. Second-degree candidates may not repeat courses taken in a previous degree; however, they may count such courses towards satisfying prerequisite and program requirements with the approval of the department offering the program. Candidacy in a new degree program of study will be established, and a new grade point average will commence with the second-degree courses.

Students completing a Double Degree program should consult the Double Degree Programs section of the Calendar since the requirements for Double Degree programs are different from the requirements for a Second Degree.

Discontinued Degrees and Upgrading:

UTSC has discontinued the 15.0 full credits (three-year) BA and BSc degrees; however, students who began their three-year degree program at UTSC before the 2004 Summer session may still choose a 15.0 full credits (three-year) degree; these students should consult the Office of the Registrar.

Students with a BA or BSc who return to upgrade their degree to an Honours BA or Honours BSc must exchange the BA or BSc for the same Honours degree; for example, a BA can only be upgraded to an Honours BA; a BA cannot be upgraded to an Honours BSc. Similarly, a BSc cannot be upgraded to an Honours BA. Students who upgrade to an Honours degree are not eligible to attend the convocation ceremony for the upgrade.

6B. Selecting your Program(s)

6B.1 General Information

Programs, commonly referred to as Subject POSt(s), and sometimes as programs of study, are groupings of courses in one or more disciplines. Students are reminded that completion of a program (or programs) will fulfill only one component of the requirements necessary to earn their degree (see section 6A: Completing Your Degree).

Students are strongly urged to consult frequently with their Program Supervisor/Director or departmental program advisors as they progress through the program requirements; they are identified in the Discipline sections of the Calendar.

Program Supervisors/Directors and departmental program advisors have the authority to deal with special circumstances concerning program requirements. They may:

  • Accredit to program requirements, courses are taken on other campuses of this University or at other Universities; and
  • Permit course substitutions or other modifications of program requirements where they deem them appropriate.

When special arrangements are made, students must ask their Program Supervisor, or departmental program advisor, to record them in Degree Explorer.

6B.2 Registration for Subject POSt(s)

  1. Degree students must select their Subject POSt(s) when they have passed 4.0 credits, including transfer credits. The first period to select and/or apply to programs begins in March for students who expect to complete their fourth credit by the end of the Winter session; the second period begins in June for students who expect to complete their fourth credit by the end of the Summer session.
  2. Students may only select Subject POSt(s) offered by UTSC; instructions can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.
  3. Program admission and course requirements can change from year to year through the curriculum change process; students must complete the requirements that are in place for the academic session in which they were first registered in the program(s) they have selected as a Subject POSt, or any subsequent year.
  4. The Calendar is published once annually, normally by mid-May and comes into effect as of the Fall session. Consult Program Supervisors, instructors in A-level courses and academic advisors from the Academic Advising & Career Centre for assistance regarding changes to program or course requirements.
  5. Students in first year (e.g. with fewer than 4.0 credits) are not required to select a program, however, course selection may be guided by the admission and program requirements of any programs they may choose to register in. Consult Program Supervisors/Directors, instructors in A-level courses and academic advisors from the Academic Advising & Career Centre for assistance with course selection.

Notes:

  • Students who have registered in a program(s) should consult at least once each year with their program supervisor to ensure their course selection will meet program requirements.
  • Students are responsible for ensuring their course selection will enable them to complete the requirements of their program(s) by the time they complete their other degree requirements. In certain programs, approval by the supervisor of some or all courses is necessary. In all programs, the supervisor is available for advice concerning program requirements and course selection.

6B.3 Types of Programs

Specialist

Specialist programs are designed to provide depth and intensity of study within a limited area defined as a discipline, a group of disciplines, or a particular theme or area of study. They will normally require students to complete 12.0 to 16.0 credits, including at least 4.0 credits at the C- and/or D-level, of which 1.0 credit must be at the D-level.

Major

Major programs are designed to provide a concentration in an area of study defined as a discipline, a group of disciplines or a particular theme or area of study. They will normally consist of 7.0 to 9.0 credits, including at least 2.0 credits at the C- and/or D-level.

Minor

Minor offerings are designed to provide study in a specific area for students desiring wide-ranging but coherent programs in different areas of the curriculum.  They will normally consist of 4.0 to 5.0 credits, including at least 1.0 credit at the C- and/or D-level.

6B.4 Changing Programs

  1. Students wanting to change their UTSC program(s) must do so through ACORN.
  2. Students should be mindful that admission and course requirement can change from year to year; students must meet the program admission requirements and complete the course requirements that are in place for the academic session in which first they begin the program(s) they have selected as a Subject POSt, or any subsequent year. It is therefore in the student's best interest to declare the change in Subject POSt as early as possible.
  3. As all Specialist programs in Management (BBA) share a common core of course requirements, students who have already been admitted to a Specialist Management Subject POSt, but who wish to move from one Specialist Management program to another Specialist Management program are permitted to follow the program requirements in place when they were originally admitted to a Management program.
  4. Students who are enrolled in a Co-operative program Subject POSt who want to move from the Co-op program to the non Co-op version of the same program may follow the program requirements that are in place for the year the student was admitted to the Co-op program, or any subsequent year.
  5. Students who have started, or completed, the course requirements of a program, and subsequently decide to move to a different program in the same subject area (e.g., moving from a Minor in Global Asia Studies to a Major or Specialist in Global Asia Studies, or from a Specialist in Human Biology to a Major in Human Biology) may use the courses already completed towards the new program. Students must meet the program admission requirements and complete the course requirements that are in place for the academic session in which they first begin the program(s) they have selected as a Subject POSt, or any subsequent year. It is therefore in the student's best interest to declare the change in Subject POSt as early as possible.
  6. Students are cautioned that some programs of study are subject to higher tuition fees. These fees will be retroactively applied, and students should consult with the Office of the Registrar in advance of making any changes.

6B.5 About Co-operative Programs

For more information about Co-op Programs, refer to Section 2. Understanding the Academic Calendar.

Fees:

Every student in a Co-op program is required to pay Co-op fees as established by the University. The Co-op fees relate to costs associated with the administration of the Co-op program including, but not limited to, the facilitation of work-term preparation courses, the development of work term opportunities, and staffing support for students throughout the competitive job search process. These fees are calculated in accordance with Ministry of Education and University of Toronto policies. Tuition fees do not apply, and are not charged, when a student is registered in a work-term and not taking other courses, nor are there any additional tuition fees associated with the required Co-op work-term preparation courses. If a student leaves the Co-op program for any reason, Co-op fees paid in earlier sessions are not refundable.

Program of Study Requirements:

Co-op programs require completion of all program and degree requirements (normally within eight four-month terms of full-time study), as well as successful completion of work-terms, as specified by the particular program. Work-terms are evaluated by the Program Supervisor, the Co-op Office, and the employer. Upon completion, a grade of CR (Credit)/NCR (No Credit) is recorded on the transcript. The credits earned for successful work-term completion are in addition to the 20.0 credits required for the degree.
 
To receive certification for completion of the Co-op program on graduation, a student must:

  • Meet all of the normal requirements for the selected degree;
  • Complete the course requirements for the specific program;
  • Complete the co-op work-term preparation course(s) and any other prerequisites for the work-term as required by the specific program;
  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.5 (note that this is higher than the CGPA of 1.6 required for good standing in most non-Co-op programs);
  • Receive a satisfactory evaluation for all work-term performance and work-term assignments;
  • Register as a full-time student during study terms (i.e., a course load in each study term of at least 1.5 credits and normally 2.5 credits). Students with accommodations approved by UTSC AccessAbility Services will be granted an exception. Students should consult with their program supervisor/coordinator to develop a work term and study term plan that factors in these accommodations;
  • Return to studies after each work-term; and
  • Pay Co-op fees as assessed by the University.

For additional information about any requirements specific to a particular program, see the description of the individual program in this Calendar.

6B.6 Regulations Concerning Subject POSt(s)

  1. Students may register in no more than three programs at any one time, and may receive a certification of completion of no more than three programs (including no more than two Majors and no more than one Specialist)
  2. Students may register in no more than one Specialist program at any one time. Students enrolling in a Double Degree program are exempted.
  3. Students may register in no more than one Co-operative program at any one time. Students enrolling in a Double Degree (Co-op) program are exempted.
  4. Students are reminded that, although some programs may allow them to take courses on the St. George campus, only UTSC programs can be used to meet degree requirements.
  5. Students intending to enroll in any course on another campus which they intend to count towards their program(s) should consult with their Program Supervisor/Director first.
  6. Students who transfer from another institution to UTSC are required to complete at least half of their program requirements, and half of their course credits, at UTSC. The maximum number of transfer credits students can use towards a program will be determined by the program; for example, for a program that requires a total of 12.0 credits, students may use a maximum of 6.0 credits, but for a program that requires a total of 8.0 credits, students may use a maximum of 4.0 credits. Students transferring from other divisions or faculties of the University of Toronto are exempt from this program maximum requirement.

6B.7 Certification of Completion of Programs

Completion of programs is certified when the degree (or degrees, in the case of the Double Degree programs) is conferred. Certification is given only for UTSC programs. Students in their final year who have confirmed their intention to graduate at the next Convocation, or who have confirmed that they are about to complete an upgraded degree, do not have to request certification of completion of their programs.

Courses taken as Non-Degree/Second Degree may not be applied towards programs certified with previous degrees. No changes may be made to programs following certification at the time of graduation.

6C. Regulations Regarding Courses

6C.1 Regulations Concerning Course Load

  1. A standard course load for a full-time undergraduate student in any session is 2.5 credits.
  2. Students who register in at least 1.5 credits in a session are considered to be full-time. Students who enroll in fewer than 1.5 credits in a session are considered to be part-time. Students who are restricted to part-time studies may have a course load of no more than 1.25 credits in any session until they have completed at least 3.0 credits and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00.
  3. Undergraduate students at UTSC are not permitted to enroll in more than 3.0 credits per term without permission from the Office of the Registrar. Limited exceptions are made for students working towards a BBA degree; for more information consult the Management section of this Calendar.
  4. Students writing deferred exams are encouraged to enrol in a balanced and manageable course load in order to support success.  Students writing multiple deferred exams should consult with an Academic Advisor and/or their Disability Consultant to discuss course load considerations and an individualized plan for academic progress.
  5. Students placed on probation may not exceed a course load of 2.0 credits per session.
    • Upon notification of probation, students enrolled in future sessions must drop all courses above the 2.0 credits maximum. Failure to do so within 7 days of notification of standing on ACORN will result in removal from the most recently added course(s) above 2.0 credits. 
    • Students who are allowed to continue on probation because they have achieved a sessional grade point average of at least 1.60 may take a normal course load.
    • While on probation, students must meet with an academic advisor to discuss the reasons leading to being placed on probation and to plan strategies to improve academic performance. Staff in the Academic Advising & Career Centre are available to provide guidance.
    • For more information about academic probation go to the Office of the Registrar website.

6C.2 Courses in Other Divisions or Faculties

Students registered at UTSC should choose courses offered at UTSC; however, UTSC students may enroll in courses offered by any of the Undergraduate Divisions of the University of Toronto, provided that they meet the enrolment controls and prerequisites established by the host Divisions. While still considered an earned credit, any course from other undergraduate Divisions of the University taken in excess of 10.0 credits will not count toward the 20.0 credits required for a UTSC degree; however, the course will be included in the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculation. These courses may also count towards UTSC program requirements provided they are approved by the UTSC academic unit offering the program; students are advised to seek departmental approval before enrolling in courses offered at other Divisions of the University of Toronto. UTSC students enrolling in courses in other Undergraduate Divisions should also note that, although academic and course refund deadlines may be different at these Divisions, as a UTSC student they must adhere to all UTSC deadlines (e.g., enrolment, cancellation, CR/NCR, refund, etc.), with the exception of the start and end of classes.

  • If a student takes a course offered by another Undergraduate Division and fails it the course will not be counted towards the 10.0 credits.
  • Courses taken at another Undergraduate Division that are designated as "extra" (EXT) will not be counted towards the 10.0 credits.
  • Courses taken at another Undergraduate Division that are designated as CR/NCR are counted towards the 10.0 credits if the student achieves a grade of CR, but are not counted towards the 10.0 credits if they are assessed as NCR.

In some circumstances, other than those specifically provided for within UTSC Combined Degree Programs, UTSC undergraduate students may be permitted to enroll in graduate courses offered by UTSC or another Division of the University of Toronto. Students seeking to do so must meet the enrolment controls and prerequisites of the host Division. They are also advised to consult with both the UTSC Office of the Registrar to confirm that the proposed course can carry UTSC undergraduate degree credit and with the relevant UTSC academic unit regarding program credit.

Non-degree students at UTSC may enroll in courses offered by any of the Undergraduate Divisions of the University of Toronto, provided that they meet the enrolment controls and prerequisites established by those Divisions.

Note: Other Divisions’ Calendars do not usually list UTSC courses as exclusions. Students taking such courses must check the UTSC Calendar for possible exclusions. Students who are in any doubt about whether or not an exclusion exists, whether a course can be used to meet a prerequisite for another course, or can be applied to a program requirement should consult with their Program Supervisor/Director.

6C.3 Courses at Other Universities (Letters of Permission and Transfer Credit)

Degree students in good standing may take a maximum of 5.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCE) elsewhere for transfer credit. Students admitted with transfer credit may be limited in the number of courses that they may transfer after admission.

Prior to taking courses at a Canadian university, students should request a Letter of Permission to confirm the acceptability of those courses for transfer credit. For other universities, students may submit a request for transfer after completing courses elsewhere (Post-Admission Transfer Credit); students are cautioned that there is no guarantee transfer credit will be awarded.

Students should confirm they are eligible to request transfer credit before applying by referring to the Letter of Permission and Post-Admission Transfer Credit Guidelines on the Admissions & Student Recruitment website. Students must apply and submit payment online for transfer credit assessment using the form available at the Transfer Credit, Letter of Permission and Visiting Student Payment Processes website. Assessment of transfer credit may take several weeks to process depending on the time of year and the nature of the request. Applicants are responsible for submitting requests well in advance of any deadlines they must meet, and for obtaining the appropriate advising concerning the Letter of Permission and Transfer Credit processes.

6C.4 Regulations Concerning Course Selection

  1. Students whose registration contravenes the regulations may be withdrawn from courses, regardless of when the contravention comes to light.
  2. Prerequisites: students must have passed any prerequisites identified in the course description before they enroll in the described course unless they have explicitly been waived by the instructor.
    • Instructors are empowered to waive prerequisites if they feel that there are adequate grounds for so doing.
    • If a student registers in a course without meeting its prerequisite and without obtaining a specific waiver, the student may be withdrawn from the course at any time without warning. Students remain in such courses at their own risk since not having passed the prerequisite will not be accepted as grounds for special consideration or petition.
    • If the prerequisite being waived is listed as a program requirement, students should discuss the matter in advance with their Program Supervisor/Director – the Program Supervisor/Director may need to record an exception in Degree Explorer.
    • The Office of the Registrar does NOT require notification of a prerequisite waiver.
  3. Corequisites: students must either already have passed the corequisite course or must enroll in it at the same time as they take the course being described.
    • Instructors are permitted to waive corequisites if they feel that there are adequate grounds for doing so.
    • If students register in a course without meeting its corequisite, or if they withdraw from the corequisite course without obtaining a specific waiver, the student may be withdrawn from the described course at any time without warning. Students remain in such courses at their own risk since not having passed the corequisite will not be accepted as grounds for special consideration or petition.
  4. Exclusions: students may not register for credit in any course which lists as an exclusion a course they are currently taking or have already passed (this includes credit awarded for work at other institutions, and courses that have been closed/deleted).
    • Students are cautioned that courses are not always mutually exclusive, so it is important to check the Calendar entries for both courses to ensure each lists the other as an exclusion.
    • Where students enroll in an excluded course, the second course will be marked as an extra (EXT) course and, although it will appear on the transcript and can be used to satisfy program requirements, it will not count towards degree requirements or CGPA.
    • ACORN does not automatically check for exclusions, but courses will be identified as extra courses in the student's academic record as soon as the exclusion is discovered. Students are cautioned this could happen without warning at any time during the student's studies at UTSC. Students can consult Degree Explorer to identify exclusions.
    • It is every student's responsibility to ensure s/he does not duplicate his/her studies, whether inadvertently or otherwise. Some FAS and UTM courses that have not been identified in this Calendar may be exclusions of UTSC courses and vice versa; for this reason, it is always good practice to consult the Program Supervisor/Director or an academic advisor from the Academic Advising & Career Centre before taking courses on other campuses. Similarly, some UTSC courses, including some that have been retired, may not appear in this Calendar as exclusions. If UTSC, FAS and/or UTM courses have similar titles or content, the onus is on the student to contact the academic unit offering the course(s) to determine if the content is so similar the courses should be considered as exclusions.
  5. Repeating Failed Courses: A student may re-register for a course which they have failed. Both registrations are shown on the student's record and both grades count in the student’s CGPA.
  6. Repeating Passed Courses
    • (a) Second Attempt for Credit (SAC): Students may repeat up to 1.0 credit of passed courses for which a credit has already been awarded. In these cases, the first attempt will be designated as extra (EXT) and will not be included in CGPA calculations or in the degree credit count. The second attempt will count toward credit totals and CGPA. Academic standing from prior sessions will not be reassessed. Second Attempt for Credit is not available for non-degree students. The second attempt must be taken in September 2023 or later; this policy does not apply to courses taken as a second attempt prior to September 2023. 
    • (b) Repeating courses as “Extra” (EXT): Extra courses are those for which students will not receive credit. The course and its grade will appear on the student's transcript (designated as an extra course) but the grade is not included in the student's grade point averages nor does the course count towards the degree. However, if appropriate, it may be used to satisfy program requirements. Students who repeat passed courses in excess of the 1.0 credit of Second Attempt for Credit policy (or who opt to not use the SAC option for a repeated passed course), will have the retake indicated as an extra (EXT) course. In such cases, the course and the final grade are shown on the record, but the grade is not included in the CGPA and the credit is not counted.
    • Repeating passed courses either through Second Attempt for Credit (SAC) policy or as an extra (EXT) course does not guarantee admission or re-admission into limited enrolment programs and these decisions are made at the discretion of the academic department. Students requesting to retake passed courses are not guaranteed enrolment in the requested course and will not be given priority in enrolment over other students. Students are encouraged to seek advising from their program advisor and/or the Academic Advising & Career Centre before deciding to retake a passed course or use the SAC policy. Retaking passed courses and the Second Attempt for Credit option are requested through the Office of the Registrar.
  7. Students must register for their courses in accordance with instructions issued each session by the Office of the Registrar. Students who wish to change their registrationmay do so only until the deadlines for adding and dropping courses, described under Academic Dates on the Office of the Registrar website; and may do so only through ACORN.
  8. Students are cautioned that they are responsible for ensuring their course schedule is conflict-free. Students who knowingly remain in courses that conflict with one another will not receive special consideration should they encounter problems related to the conflict.
  9. Where multi-sectioned courses have a common examination, students enrolled in an evening section of the course may be required to sit an examination during the day and vice versa. Students may also be required to write Saturday or Sunday term tests or examinations.

6C.5 Voluntary Leave of Absence

UTSC students who have completed at least one course may take a voluntary leave from studies without formal authorization. No specific documentation or approval is required by UTSC.

To take a voluntary leave from studies, students have the option to: a) choose not to complete registration in a given academic period (e.g., Fall/Winter session, Fall or Winter Term) or b) cancel their current registration in a given academic period. 

While on a voluntary leave, students will not pay any tuition, incidental, or ancillary fees; are not considered for scholarships or awards; cannot normally access University services (with the exception of their Registrar’s Office) including health services; cannot participate in student internships; and cannot undertake undergraduate research. A student who chooses to take a voluntary leave from their studies is not exempt from academic deadlines, financial responsibilities, current or future policies, and fees schedules. Students who cancel their registration part-way through a term are responsible for any outstanding balance owed to the University. Students on leave may contact their Registrar’s Office for information about their status and returning to studies.

All students considering a voluntary leave of absence should make themselves aware of financial implications for programs such as OSAP, out of province aid, UTAPS, or loan programs; the impact for internal and external award payments; and how tuition and refunds will apply. Co-op students considering a voluntary leave of absence should consult with their Program Coordinator in the Co-op Office. Students who plan to cancel their courses and registration part-way through a term should refer to their divisional refund schedule.

Policy for International Students on an Approved Voluntary Leave of Absence

An approved leave of absence will be considered for international students who wish to have their leave intentions documented by the University.  International students should consult with the International Student Centre (ISC) before considering a leave of absence and may only request and be approved for a maximum of two calendar years. An extension beyond two calendar years will not be approved; students may choose to continue a leave but it will not be considered an approved leave of absence.

6C.6 Regulations Concerning Course Changes 

Students may add courses or drop courses without academic penalty through ACORN up to the dates stated in the Academic Dates. The deadlines for adding or dropping courses are strictly applied. 

  • Students who make changes through ACORN should end their transactions by listing their courses to ensure the change has been processed properly. They will not receive written confirmation of the change but it will be recorded in the Activity log kept by the University, which can be accessed through ACORN. 

  • At the time students add a course to their record they are accepting responsibility for fee payment for it. Students who drop courses by the appropriate deadline may be entitled to a fee adjustment. (See the fees refund schedule and information published each session by Student Accounts

Note: exceptions to the University's fees refund schedule are made only in the case of an error on the University's part. 

Changing Meeting Sections in a Course: 

Students may change meeting sections in a course at any time provided that, if the change takes place after the deadline for adding the course, they have the written approval of the instructor of the new meeting section or the administrative staff person responsible for student academic advising in the academic unit offering the course. The department must send the approval to the Office of the Registrar to have the change recorded in ACORN.  
 
Note: For some course sections, changes are not permitted on ACORN. These are listed in the Course Timetable

Dropping a Course: 

  1. Students wanting to drop a course should pay attention to two deadlines in the Academic Dates
  2. If students withdraw from a course by the last date to drop courses without academic penalty, no record of registration is shown on the student's transcript. 

  3. If students withdraw from a course by the late withdrawal date, the course remains on the student's record with a grade of LWD indicating late withdrawal. Students are permitted to withdraw late from a maximum of 3.0 credits during their studies within UTSC, FAS or UTM. 

  4. If students cease to complete course requirements but do not withdraw officially by the later deadline, a grade based on the marks awarded (including a zero for any incomplete work) will be recorded. 
  5. Students are not permitted to cancel or withdraw from a course in which an allegation of academic misconduct is pending, from the time of the alleged offence until the final disposition of the accusation. Such courses are designated GWR until the allegation is resolved. 

Students who drop all their current courses and do not intend to enroll in any other course in that session (whether Summer, Fall or Winter) are deemed as having withdrawn from the session and must cancel their registration through ACORN. Students dropping all their courses in a session may wish to speak to an academic advisor from the Academic Advising & Career Centre or Office of the Registrar staff about the academic and financial consequences of withdrawal. 

6C.7 Return from Absence (Voluntary Leave or Withdrawal)

Students previously registered at UTSC who have completed at least one course and wish to return after suspension or absence of three or more consecutive sessions (at least 12 months), and UTSC alumni wishing to return to studies as a non-degree student, can submit a "Re-enrolment Request Form" to the Office of the Registrar. Students should apply to re-enroll well before the final deadline to ensure there is sufficient time to process any requested post-admission transfer credit.

Degree students in good standing who studied at a recognized degree-granting institution during their absence from UTSC may be eligible to receive transfer credit for courses completed with at least a 60% (C-), where the minimum passing grade is 50%. Students should apply for post-admission transfer credit online and make payments. Official final transcripts are required and should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions & Student Recruitment at UTSC.

Enrolment in most courses is on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to have the application processed in time to take advantage of the wider availability of courses, students are strongly advised to submit the application to re-enroll by the dates listed below:

  • Mid-March for the Summer Session
  • Mid-June for both the Fall and Winter Sessions
  • Early October for the Winter Session

Late applications to re-enroll will be considered ONLY if received before classes begin in the session. Late fees may apply. For further information on re-enrolment, visit the Office of the Registrar website.