Happy Holidays! The Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies will be closed for in-person and phone services from December 20 to January 5 at 8:30 a.m. During this time, please contact us by email.
The University will be closed from December 24, reopening on Friday, January 2 at 8:30 a.m..
Upgrading
In order to be admissible for a graduate program, applicants must meet University admissions requirements as well as any program specific requirements stated by the department (check department website for details).
The following provides information about upgrading at Guelph. Please review the information that best reflects your personal academic situation.
Applicants to a Master's program who,
Every such applicant (who has not completed any additional undergraduate courses above the 30 required for a three-year general degree) will be required to complete one full year (ten semester courses) of senior level (3000 or 4000) undergraduate courses (5.0 course credits) and maintain a minimum average of 70%.
These courses will be evaluated independent of their previously completed coursework. If the student does not achieve the required minimum average of 70% on these courses, s/he should then complete an additional 2 senior level (3000 or 4000) undergraduate courses (1.0 course credits) and the evaluation will be repeated on the full 6.0 course credits.
In cases where the student has completed additional undergraduate courses, these will be deducted from the number of courses required. For example, if the student has completed 32 semester courses, s/he will only be required to complete an additional eight semester courses or 4.0 course credits. Please note that courses taken as upgrading will NOT subsequently be considered for advanced credit toward a Master's degree at the University of Guelph.
Students are encouraged to contact Undergraduate Admission Services for information about applying as a non- degree student in order to upgrade. The applicant is also directed to the department of interest for assistance with the selection of courses and for information about departmental admission requirements. The department requirements may be higher than those listed here, but must be consistent across all applicants. For example, if a department has established an admission requirement of 75% instead of the University’s 70% minimum, they must apply that standard to all entering and upgrading students.
When determining your average, University of Guelph considers your last two years of study. This may include 20 credits valued at 0.5, 10 credits valued at 1.0 or a combination of both totally the equivalent of two years of study.
Every such applicant will normally be required to complete three senior level (3000 or 4000) undergraduate courses (1.5 course credits) in the same semester and maintain a minimum average of 70%. These courses will be evaluated independent of their previously completed coursework. If the student does not achieve the required minimum average of 70% on these courses, s/he should then complete an additional two senior level (3000 or 4000) undergraduate courses (1.0 course credits) in the same semester and the evaluation will be repeated on the full 2.5 credits. Please note that courses taken as upgrading will NOT subsequently be considered for advanced credit toward a Master's degree at this university.
Students are encouraged to contact Undergraduate Admission Services for information about applying as a non- degree student in order to upgrade. The applicant is also directed to the department of interest for assistance with the selection of courses and for information about departmental admission requirements. The department requirements may be higher than those listed here, but must be consistent across all applicants. For example, if a department has established an admission requirement of 75% instead of the University’s 70% minimum, they must apply that standard to all entering and upgrading students.
Applicants to a Doctoral Program who,
Applicant will be required to complete a minimum of three semester courses (1.5 course credits) at the graduate level. They must maintain a solid B average with no individual grade below 70%.
The applicant is directed to the department of interest for assistance with the selection of courses and for information about departmental admission requirements. The department requirements may be higher than those listed here, but must be consistent across all applicants. For example, if a department has an established admission requirement of 75% (instead of the University’s 70% minimum), the department must apply that standard to all applicants.
Students are encouraged to contact Undergraduate Admission Services for information about applying as a non- degree student in order to upgrade. The applicant is also directed to the department of interest for assistance with the selection of courses and for information about departmental admission requirements.
International students who do not fall into any of these categories are asked to review our International Credential Guide for information about their academic equivalency at the University of Guelph. If further assistance is required please contact the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.
Please note: Upgrading courses does not guarantee admission into a graduate program.