D.1.1 Annual Registration

All graduate students must maintain continuous annual registration and pay the appropriate fees until all degree requirements have been completed. Students must initialize their registration annually, at the time of the anniversary of their first registration, and before the deadline for that term. All graduate students register for a twelve-month period and general fees are assessed in each term, with the exception of students in programs that have a scheduled break in the Spring and Summer terms.

A student will not participate in University activities towards a degree, such as attendance in a course, conducting research in a laboratory, teaching, and receiving paid support, unless their annual registration is active.

Registration in courses is independent of annual registration. Course-based graduate students are required to maintain continuous annual registration even when they are not enrolled in any courses.

A student who does not initialize their annual registration by the fee payment deadline will be required to withdraw from their program for failure to register. This will be recorded on the student record as a required withdrawal.

D.1.2 Course Selection and Registration

A complete guide to course registration is available online.

Students should always consult with their graduate program and supervisor, if applicable, concerning course selection. Refer to the deadlines in the Academic Schedule.

Following registration, it is the student's responsibility to verify course registration and fee assessment using the Student Centre.

For information on Block Week and Non-Standard courses, see the University Calendar.

Course-based students are not normally permitted to register in more than 15 units per term in the Fall and Winter Terms or more than 6 units per term in the Spring and Summer Terms.

Students currently registered in a graduate degree program at the University may receive credit for one or more courses taken at other recognized institutions, if approved by the graduate program and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Program and Faculty of Graduate Studies’ approval of these arrangements must be obtained before the courses begins.

Course-based programs: Transfer credit and any advanced credit received upon entrance to the program may not exceed one third of the program or 12 units, whichever is less.

In order to receive transfer credit, students must arrange for official transcripts showing the courses taken and grades achieved to be sent from the other institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Courses for which transfer credit is being sought must be from a recognized institution and not have been used for any degree or diploma accreditation. They must be graded, graduate-level courses, and the graded level of performance must be equivalent to a "B" grade or higher standing at the University. Transfer credit is not granted for courses for which the graded level of performance is equivalent to "B-" or lower.

D.1.3 Course Drops & Withdrawals

A graduate student may drop a course in which they are registered via the Student Centre, any time up to and including the last day to drop a class as outlined in the Academic Schedule section of this Calendar. Tuition fees will be refunded and the course will be removed from the student's academic record.

After the drop deadline has passed, a graduate student may withdraw from a course in which they are registered via the Student Centre, any time up to and including the last day to withdraw from a course as outlined in the Academic Schedule section of this Calendar. No tuition fees will be refunded and a 'W' will be recorded for the course on the student's transcript. A withdraw ('W') has no impact on a student's GPA. Graduate students are not permitted to withdraw more than once from the same course. A second withdrawal requires the permission of the teaching faculty.

After the withdrawal deadline has passed, the course grade will be entered as earned. Block Week and non-standard courses may have different drop and withdrawal deadlines than what is listed in the Academic Schedule. Students can find drop and withdrawal deadlines for any course in which they are registered via the Student Centre.

Students who are unable to complete a course due to an unexpected, uncontrollable circumstance may apply for an Extenuating Circumstances Withdrawal (EW), as described in section  B.14.3 of the University Calendar.

D.1.4 Auditing Courses

Audit fees are outlined in website. Audit fees are non-refundable.

Because there are no grade implications, students are not able to withdraw from courses they are auditing.

D.1.5 Courses Taken Extra-to-Program

A student in a thesis-based or a course-based program may request to take a course that is extra to their certificate, diploma or degree program(s). Extra-to-program courses will not count toward the current graduate degree, but students should be aware that they will be included in all grade point average calculations on the transcript.

Registration in any course is subject to departmental approval. For information on fees, see Tuition and General Fees.

D2. Transfer Credit

Students currently registered in a graduate degree program at the University of Calgary may receive credit for one or more courses taken at other recognized institutions, if approved by the graduate program and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Program and Faculty of Graduate Studies’ approval of these arrangements must be obtained before the courses begins.

Course-based programs: Transfer credit and any advanced credit received upon entrance to the program may not exceed one third of the program or 12 units, whichever is less.

In order to receive transfer credit, students must arrange for official transcripts showing the courses taken and grades achieved to be sent from the other institution to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Courses for which transfer credit is being sought must be from a recognized institution and not have been used for any degree or diploma accreditation. They must be graded, graduate-level courses, and the graded level of performance must be equivalent to a "B" grade or higher standing at the University of Calgary. Transfer credit is not granted for courses for which the graded level of performance is equivalent to "B-" or lower.