Policies and Guidelines

Western Deans' Agreement

This agreement was established in 1974 as an expression of co-operation and mutual support among universities offering Graduate programs in Western Canada. Its primary purpose is the reciprocal enrichment of graduate programs throughout Western Canada. Under the terms of this agreement, graduate students of the member institutions may take courses at another member institution, which are not available at their home university.

1. The Western Deans' Agreement provides an automatic tuition fee waiver for visiting students. Graduate students paying normal required tuition fees to their home institution will not pay tuition fees to the host institution.
2. Students may be required to pay student, activity, application, or other ancillary fees to the host institution, according to general policies in effect at the host institution. Wherever possible, these fees will also be waived.
3. Students will qualify for the fee waiver if they:
   1. present the "Authorization Form: Western Deans' Agreement" signed by the Dean or designate and Department Head or Graduate Advisor of a participating Western institution specifying the courses to be taken for credit toward a graduate degree program at their home institution.
   2. are in good standing in a graduate program at the home institution;
   3. have paid all current and back fees at the home institution.
4. Students must meet all requirements as prescribed by the host university's regulations, departmental deadlines, class capacities, and course prerequisites.
5. Registration is possible in courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and in credit courses offered through distance education or other means. To be eligible, courses must be an integral part of the applicant's graduate degree program. Fee waiver is not permitted for Audit or non-credit courses.
6. Students must have the Authorization Form approved by the relevant Department Head and the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the host institution at least four weeks prior to the commencement of the course(s) requested. The fee waiver is not available retroactively.
7. Students are subject to regulations of the home institution governing credit for the courses to be undertaken. As a condition of registration at the host institution, students will arrange for official transcripts from the host institution to be sent to the home institution confirming successful completion of courses selected.
8. Students must send confirmation of registration and notice of any change to the Graduate Records Office of the home institution at the time registration or course change is completed.
9. Students may not claim fee waivers under the terms of this Agreement for a period of more 12 months total.
10. Each institution has its own regulations regarding the maximum number of transfer credits permitted in a given degree program. Students should ensure that their requests are within these limits.

    Participating Universities

    Athabasca University
    University of Alberta Brandon University
    University of British Columbia *
    University of Calgary *
    University of Lethbridge
    University of Manitoba
    University of Northern British Columbia
    University of Regina
    University of Saskatchewan
    Simon Fraser University
    University of Victoria *
    

    ** Please note: Tuition fees are not waived for distance courses taken through University of Victoria and the University of Calgary. In addition, students registered at another university are required to pay tuition for UBC distance courses.

    Transfer Credits: Other Universities

    A student registered in a graduate program may be permitted to take up to 12 credits in eligible courses at another university to be counted toward a University of British Columbia graduate degree. These transfer credits cannot have been counted towards any other program. Only courses in which at least a B standing (UBC 74%) is obtained will be considered for transfer.

    The 12 credit restriction does not apply to students in UBC approved Exchange Agreements established by the UBC Exchange Programs Office.

    To obtain permission the student must submit a letter from the department in support of the transfer credits to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The departmental letter must provide an academic justification for allowing the course or courses for transfer credit.

    (More Information)