Post-Degree Admission

Non-Degree Studies

University graduates who wish to enrol in degree-credit courses to upgrade their degree or to gain credit for admission to a graduate or other academic program should apply to Non-Degree Studies. Applicants must hold a degree which is recognized as equivalent to a Canadian university's undergraduate or graduate degree.

A Non-Degree Studies applicant who has not previously registered at the University of Guelph, should apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre OUAC application using code GND. An applicant who has previously registered at the University of Guelph should apply using the Application for Internal Transfer or Readmission. All post-degree applicants must submit the Supplementary Information Form for Degree Holders.

Students who register in Non-Degree Studies and who subsequently want to apply to a degree program will be required to meet admission requirements for that program. Credit granted for courses taken while enrolled in Non-Degree Studies will be subject to the regulations pertaining to that program. Students should consult with their Program Counsellor for details.

Honours Equivalent

Students from the University of Guelph or another university may upgrade a degree from the general program to the honours program to obtain an Honours Equivalent recognition. Current University of Guelph degree holders may also augment a degree from the honours program by completing an additional specialization (e,g, additional major or minor). All interested students must apply for admission to the Honours Equivalent program per the application procedures outlined in this Chapter (IV - Application Procedures). All previous University of Guelph credits may be utilized toward the equivalent degree from the honours program.

To be granted an Honours Equivalent, students must satisfy the University of Guelph residence requirements. In addition, students must satisfy the conditions for graduation for the specified honours program using the Calendar that is in effect for the semester to which they have been admitted.

Students who are granted the Honours Equivalent designation do not receive a second degree parchment and do not participate in a convocation program, but have the designation shown on their transcript. Graduation standing is not assigned for the Honours Equivalent designation.

Honours Equivalent applicants who have not previously registered at the University of Guelph, should apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre OUAC application. An applicant who has previously registered at the University of Guelph should apply using the Application for Internal Transfer or Readmission. All post-degree applicants must submit the Supplementary Information Form for Degree Holders.

Second Degrees

Students from the University of Guelph or from another university may be admitted to and graduate with a second undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph, under the following conditions:

  1. Students who have graduated with their first degree must apply to the University of Guelph for admission to the second degree program. A maximum of 10.00 credits may be transferred from the initial degree program.
  2. In-course University of Guelph students may apply to graduate with two degrees at the same convocation. A maximum of 10.00 credits may be transferred from the declared program to the undeclared program.

In a) and b), the course content of the second degree program must be substantially different from that of the first. A second degree is judged to be substantially different if:

  • The specializations are in different subject areas as listed in Chapter XII--Course Descriptions; or
  • The schedule of studies requirements are substantially different (no more than 25% overlap).

This rule is also applicable to different subject areas within the same degree program, allowing, for example, a second B.A. or B.Sc. degree to be awarded as long as the criteria are met.