students sitting in the stairs of the university centre

Course enrolment for non-degree students

A non-degree (special student) is someone who can enrol in undergraduate courses to receive university units, but who is not seeking an undergraduate degree, certificate or diploma.Special students don’t have to apply for admission.

Eligibility

  • Hold an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), with at least six 4U or 4M courses and an overall average of 70%, or the equivalent (this does not apply to the “personal interest” category — see below)
  • Qualify as a mature student by meeting the following conditions:
    • have not been engaged in full-time studies for at least two consecutive years
    • are considered to hold promise of academic success
    • meet the requirements of the faculty you have applied to

To find out more about the these subcategories and to see all definitions, visit Academic Regulation 1.1.

  • Personal interest: For students wishing to take courses for personal interest or for students who have not been granted admission. Students can take a maximum of six units (two courses) per term and the total cannot exceed 30 units.
  • Improving academic standing: For students who have been required to withdraw from the faculty. Students can take a maximum of 12 units per term (four courses) and the total cannot exceed 30 units.
  • Professional certification
  • Transfer of units
  • Upgrading
  • Gifted student (see the enrolment process for the Head Start program)
  • Visiting Research Student (for more information, follow the Procedure for Visiting Research Students)

We reserve the right to verify your eligibility, cancel your enrolment or prohibit further enrolment if necessary. In addition, depending on your category, you must provide certain documents and meet certain conditions.

Enrolment steps

Notice – New non-degree students: If you are enrolling for the first time at the University of Ottawa, you will need to provide us with a transcript covering your most recent period of full-time studies.

If you would like to enrol as a non-degree student (special student) in the Improving academic standing category, you need to contact InfoService before Monday, August 21, 2023 to create a non-degree student (special student) file so you can enrol online as soon as enrolment opens.

New non-degree students (special students) (those who have never been enrolled at uOttawa or Saint Paul University) must fill out the personal identification form for Non-degree students (undergraduate) before Monday, August 21, 2023 in order to be able to enrol online as soon as enrolment starts. Once you’ve submitted this form, we’ll email you instructions on how to enrol.

Payment

An estimate of university fees for non-degree students (special students) can be found on the Tuition fees for non-degree students web page.

Check the Financial Resources website for more information about paying university fees, reimbursements and methods of payment.

Please note that non-degree students (special students) do not have access to OSAP or other provincial government financial aid programs. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid and Awards office.

Restrictions

  • If you’ve been expelled by the University, you can’t enrol as a non-degree student (special student).
  • If you’ve been asked to withdraw by a faculty, the faculty may or may not allow you to take its courses as a non-degree student (special student) during the period you’re withdrawn.
  • If your application for admission has been turned down by a faculty, the faculty may or may not allow you to take its courses as a non-degree student (special student).
  • If you’re a full-time high school student, you can’t enrol as a non-degree student (special student) unless you’re participating in the Head Start program.
  • Some faculties, schools or departments may have specific restrictions that apply to non-degree students (special students).