Transfer of Universities in Canada: Procedure & Eligibility Criteria

Transfer of Universities in Canada is quite common among students. There can be several reasons to transfer from one university to another. Transfer programmes offer special growth opportunities regardless of the motivation behind a student’s decision. We have all the answers to your queries related to how to transfer from one university or college to another in Canada. 

What is a University Transfer Program?

The University Transfer program is an option for students:

• who do not meet the admission requirements for universities right after completing their high school. 
• who haven’t chosen a career path yet.
• to take first- and second-year college courses that will allow them to pursue their academic interests through this programme.

In general, a university transfer programme is when a student starts at one college and completes their studies at another.

Reasons to Transfer University

There are various to choose from the transfer program:

Community College Transfer

While some students use community college as an inexpensive way to obtain degree credits, others use it as a way to enhance their academic performance and increase their chances of being admitted to four-year institutions and universities.

Switching Majors

Some students move to another school that provides a superior programme for their new major after initially selecting their first choice based just on their intended major.

Financial Reasons

The cost of attending a four-year university might be high. Tuition rate increases, unanticipated costs and changes in finances can all make students reconsider attending their preferred school.

Poor Academic Results

Poor academic performance is another reason why students think about moving to colleges. This is based on the idea that changing environments, including classes and professors, can improve grades, yet this isn’t always the case.

Acknowledgement and Prestige of the School

Without a doubt, resumes from some colleges and universities seem better than those from others because they have greater prestige. Some students enroll in college to improve their GPA for a year or two before applying to transfer to a more esteemed university.

Eligibility Criteria for Transfer Universities in Canada

A student needs to fulfil below mentioned basic requirements for transfer universities in Canada:

• At least four full courses completed OR a year of full-time degree work at a university with accreditation
• On a 4-point scale, a minimum overall average of 2.0 (C/60% or equivalent)
• When applying to programmes at the honours level: a minimum 4-point average of 2.3 (C+/65% or equivalent) for the entire set.
• All of the university courses you have attempted will be used to compute your cumulative GPA.
• Repeated courses only count once towards the total amount of transfer credit that can be earned.
• While not all professional accredited courses taken at other post-secondary educational establishments qualify for a course credit exclusion towards a major, minor, or prerequisite credit in a degree programme, the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) courses are accepted towards certification in numerous professional programmes. If a course credit exclusion has not been granted, optional credits may be applied.

International Students Transfer Requirements  

• To be considered a transfer student, you have to have completed a specific number of credits at the university you are currently attending.
• The lowest amount of credits needed to be admitted for transfer depends on the university and the programme. Your application for transfer admission will only be reviewed if your GPA meets the required minimum.
• To be eligible for transfer admission, students’ GPAs need to be between 2.3 and 2.8. If you don’t fit these standards, you have to apply as a freshman.

General University Norms

• A student must have completed Computer Science, Information Technology, Kinesiology, and Bachelor of Commerce courses within the last five years to be eligible for major, minor, or pre-requisite credit towards a degree programme. Only optional credit may be applied to transfer credits for courses completed more than five years ago.
• The amount of transfer credit that is available for engineering degree programmes is determined by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) under tight guidelines. Engineering science and engineering design coursework must be finished in a Canadian degree-granting institution approved by CEAB. The most credits that can be given out are thirty.
• To fulfil prerequisite requirements or apply towards a major or minor, several programmes require a grade of “C” or higher.

Program Level Transfer and Specific Requirements

College – University Programs

Starting in a college and completing their studies at a university is a wise decision for many overseas students, as most Canadian colleges provide:

• reduced fees
• more accommodating start dates
• lower class groups
• more lenient admission standards.

Colleges also emphasise “hands-on” learning, which enables students to obtain real-world experience and supplements the academic programme that universities often offer. This might be a sensible option for people who want several degrees, certifications, or diplomas.

Important: To be eligible for a degree, students must finish the final two years of the programme on the campuses of the majority of receiving universities.

University – University Programs

Students may occasionally need to move between universities or decide to do so. These include relocating, searching for a better programme, or doing so because it was previously not possible to gain straight admission into a competitive programme at the first-year level. In any event, there are differences in the policies surrounding transfers across universities, so it’s critical to confirm the specifics.

Important: To be eligible for a degree, students must finish the final two years of the programme on the campuses of the majority of receiving universities.

Specific Provincial Pro

Students can readily transfer between schools thanks to the highly developed and cooperative transfer mechanisms established by some provinces. The transfer system in British Columbia, for instance, has forty participating schools. The system consists of smaller schools, the majority of private degree-granting establishments, and all of the major research universities. Other provinces, including Alberta and Ontario, that already have programmes in place, are attempting to set up comparable protocols.

2+2 Model

The typical format entails two years of full-time study at a college, followed by two years at a university. It was made popular by American and Canadian institutions in the 1960s. The maximum amount of credit that receiving schools will accept for transfer is two years.

1+3 Model

According to this plan, students study full-time at a college for a year before spending three years at a university. Transferring less than a year’s worth of credit will not be accepted by receiving schools.

Procedure for Transferring Universities in Canada

As soon as you are admitted to an institution, the office of admissions will start assessing your previous post secondary coursework to see whether you are eligible for transfer credits. Depending on the season, completing a transfer examination takes different amounts of time. Accepting your offer sooner will get you your transfer credit statement sooner. The transfer process is broken down into phases:

Credit Assessment

The Office of Admissions uses the following criteria to calculate how much transfer credit you are eligible for:

• Advanced secondary institutions include the Ontario College, Canadian University, International Institution, and the institution from which you are transferring.
• The transferability of the courses you have taken
• How many courses you have finished
• What role does your prior postsecondary education have in this programme?
• To finish the credit evaluation, students must provide a copy of their official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions.

Course Evaluation

The office of admissions carefully reviews previous course(s) to look for content that aligns with the requirements of your current programme for credit after the credit assessment is completed. Course credit exclusions and/or exemptions are granted to the studies where there is significant overlap between courses. To support course revision, students must submit the course outline(s) for evaluation of the academic content, level of difficulty, and materials covered.

Appropriate Course Details

The course descriptions, syllabi, and course outlines need to reflect the period that you completed the course. Having copies of comprehensive course outlines and syllabus is the best option. You can upload these or fax them straight from your previous school.

Transfer Credit Statement

• Based on this evaluation, you will know how much of your prior coursework can be applied towards the degree at the university you were accepted to. All assessments are subject to the receipt of a final official transcript from each previously attended post-secondary educational institution. As your prior studies conclude, you can submit your official final transcript if you are almost done with your studies and haven’t received one yet.
• Grades received in postsecondary courses that the university has approved for transfer credit will not have an impact on your overall academic standing. You will lose transfer credit if you repeat courses that were excluded from your previous studies.
• Students who are enrolled now can view their transfer credit statements through the Office of the Registrar.

Credit Re-Evaluation

• Re-evaluation is an option available to you. Reevaluating your credit will only happen if and when new information becomes available that was unavailable when you were first assessed.
• Novel information can include a comprehensive course description, revised transcript(s), or an alteration to your university’s curriculum.

Request a Transfer Credit Reassessment

As per the requirements established in the University Calendar for Eligibility for Transfer Credit, you have one academic term from the date of entrance or re-admission to the University to submit documentation (including complete course outlines) for a re-evaluation of transfer credit.

Top Canadian Universities that Accept Transfer Students

Listed below are the 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

How to Find the Right Transfer School?

You want to be sure that your future school will be a good fit, regardless of the reason behind your transfer. Transferring is a time-consuming operation that, if done incorrectly, can cost money. The more times you attempt to transfer, the more likely you are to encounter difficulties.

Investigate thoroughly to reduce the necessity for a transfer. Ensure that your new college:

• Has a mission statement that is consistent with your beliefs
• Has the degree programme you’re searching for
• Have extracurricular activities you find interesting
• Has a campus atmosphere where you can envision yourself participating in

These are just a few of the things you ought to be aware of before making the move. Consider that you only have one chance, and the institution you choose to attend will be your last choice. Have you made the right decision? What kind of compromises are you ready to make?

How to Meet the University Transfer Requirements?

Colleges evaluate transfer students based on similar, though more stringent, standards as those for high school graduates.

• One of the most crucial things admissions officers look for in transfer applications is good grades. Maintain good grades during your college.
• Must have solid college transcripts.
• International students must complete their paperwork including work and student visas, is up to date and accurate.