Transfer Universities in Canada: Requirements and Procedure

We all make adjustments in life and it is reflected in the decisions we take. It is common for students to opt for their second or third university preferences if they fail to get admission to their dream university. But what if you get to know that there is a spot available at your desired university? Transferring universities is quite common among students. If you want to know more about how to transfer universities in Canada, then we have got the answer for you!

What is a University Transfer Program?

• Students who do not match the admissions requirements for universities straight after high school can apply for the University Transfer Program.
• Some students, for example, do not have the required GPA or English requirements for institutions in Canada.
• In certain situations, the University Transfer Program can help you get into a Bachelor’s degree program in the future.
• This is also an option for students who have not yet made up their minds about their career choices.
• Students will have the option to pursue their academic interests while in college through the program’s first and second-year courses.

International Students Transfer Requirements 

• You must have completed a particular amount of credits at the university you are now attending to be deemed a transfer student.
• The minimal number of credits required for transfer admission varies from university to university and program to program. Only if you meet the minimum GPA standards will you be considered for transfer admission.
• To be considered for transfer admission, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.3 to 2.8. You must apply as a freshman if you do not meet these requirements.

 General University Norms

• To be considered for major, minor, or pre-requisite credit toward a degree program, Computer Science, Information Technology, Kinesiology, and Bachelor of Commerce courses must have been taken within the last 5 years. Transfer credit for courses taken more than 5 years ago can only be used as elective credit.

• The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) has strict standards for determining how much transfer credit is available for Engineering degree programmes. The curriculum of engineering science and engineering design must be completed at a CEAB-accredited Canadian degree-granting school. There is a maximum of thirty credits that can be awarded.
• For a course to apply toward a major/minor or to complete a prerequisite, several programs demand a grade of ‘C’ or above.

Also Read: What are the Requirements to Study in Canada?

Basic Admissions Requirements for Transfer Universities in Canada 

• Completion of at least 4 full courses OR one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university.
• Minimum overall average of 2.0 on a 4-point scale (C/60% or equivalent).
• If you’re applying to Honours-level programs: A minimum overall average of 2.3 on a 4-point scale (C+/65% or equivalent).
• Your cumulative grade point average will be calculated using all of your attempted university courses.
• Courses that are repeated will only count once towards the accumulation of transfer credit.
• Although not all professional accredited courses completed at other post-secondary institutions are eligible for a course credit exclusion toward a major, minor, or pre-requisite credit in a degree programme, the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) courses are recognised towards certification in many professional programmes. Optional credits may be used for courses for which a course credit exclusion has not been issued.

How to Meet University English Admissions Requirements?

• You have to complete the university-level English courses required by the universities as a University Transfer Program student.
• You will not be required to show a proficiency exam result, such as IELTS or TOEFL, to your new university when you transfer as a result of this.
• IELTS and TOEFL are standardized English exams that assess your level of language competence.
• Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking are the four skills that test takers are assessed in.
• Depending on the curriculum, different schools and universities require a specific score.

What is the Procedure for Transferring Universities in Canada?

The office of Admissions will begin evaluating your past postsecondary studies for transfer credit eligibility as soon as you are given admission to a university. The length of time it takes to complete a transfer assessment varies depending on the season. You will receive your transfer credit statement sooner if you accept your offer sooner. The transfer procedure is separated into stages:

Credit Assessment

The amount of transfer credit you are eligible for is determined by the Office of Admissions based on the following factors:

• The type of institution you’re transferring from Ontario College, Canadian University, International Institution, and Advanced Secondary Institution are all examples of advanced secondary institutions.
•  Whether or not the courses you have taken are transferable
•  The number of courses you have completed
•  How does your previous post-secondary studies fit into the program?
• Students must furnish an Official Transcript(s) copy addressed directly to the Office of Admissions to complete the credit assessment.

Also Read: Eligibility for MBA in Canada

Course Assessment

Following the completion of the credit assessment, the office of Admissions carefully examines past course(s) for content that overlaps with your current program’s degree requirements. When there is a lot of overlap between courses, the studies are given course credit exclusions and/or course waivers. Students must provide course outline(s) for assessment of academic content, difficulty, and materials covered to promote course revision.

Acceptable Course Outlines

The timeframe in which you took the course must be represented in the course descriptions, syllabi, and course outlines. The best option is to have copies of detailed course outlines/syllabi. These can be faxed or mailed directly from your old school and uploaded.

Transfer Credit Statement

• This evaluation specifies the amount of transfer credit from your previous studies that are transferable to the academic program at the university to which you have been accepted. All evaluations are contingent on receiving a final official transcript from each previous post-secondary institution attended. If you are nearing the end of your studies and have not yet received a final transcript, you may submit your official final transcript once your previous studies are completed.
• Your academic average will not be affected by grades earned in postsecondary courses authorized by the university for transfer credit. If you repeat course exclusions granted during earlier studies, your transfer credit will be reduced.
• The Office of the Registrar provides current students with access to their transfer credit statements.

Credit Re-Evaluation

• You have the option of requesting a re-evaluation. Credit re-evaluation will only take place if/when new information becomes available that was not available at the time of your initial assessment.
• A thorough course description, updated transcript(s), or a change in your university’s academic program are all examples of new information.

Request a Transfer Credit Reassessment

• You have one academic term from the date of admission or re-admission to the University to submit documentation (including detailed course outlines) for re-evaluation of transfer credit, according to the Eligibility for Transfer Credit guidelines outlined in the University Calendar.

What are the Best Ways for Students to Adjust to the Canadian University System?

Everything will be new to you if you are an overseas student! But Canadian universities provide many facilities to students 

• Universities offer free one-on-one tutoring sessions. Tutors assist students in improving their math, economics, science, English, humanities, social sciences, and academic writing skills.
• Student Services departments at universities also provide academic and emotional support. Up to ten free on-site health and wellness counselling sessions are available to all students each year.
• A mentorship program is also available. This program allows students with strong academic records and active participation in university activities to assist first-year students in adjusting to the Canadian educational system.

Top Canadian Universities That Accept Transfer Students

• University Of Toronto
• University Of British Columbia 
• McGill University
• McMaster University
• University Of Montreal (Université De Montréal)
• University Of Alberta
• University Of Ottawa
• University Of Waterloo
• Western University

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FAQs

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