- Special Students
- Apply to study as a special student
- Special Student Information brochure
- Special Student Checklist
- Fee Payment for Special Students
- Non-Degree Students
- University of Ottawa Exchange
- FAQs
- Downloads
Special Students
Special Students are those who have not been admitted to a degree program but are taking degree-credit courses to qualify for admission, to improve professional qualifications, for transfer credit, or for personal interest.
Apply to study as a special student
Anyone is eligible to apply as a Special Student subject to course availability and course prerequisites. To do this, you must complete the Online Special Student Application and pay a non-refundable processing fee of $62.00 (effective May 1, 2023). The fee can be paid by Visa, Mastercard or online Debit.
You will also need to provide a copy of a transcript showing the most recent education you have completed. Proof of English Language Proficiency may also be required (refer to section 4 of the General Admissions Requirements section of the undergraduate calendar). Your application will not be processed until all of these requirements have been submitted.
The processing time is normally 3-5 working days. An email will be sent once your application is approved with your student identification number and registration information.
You can apply any time throughout the year, but please allow sufficient processing time prior to registration dates.
Special Student Information brochure
More information is available in our Special Student Information brochure (see the downloads section of this page).
Special Student Checklist
We have prepared a registration checklist specifically for special students. This checklist will help you get ready.
Fee Payment for Special Students
Don’t forget that fee payment is due in full once you register. You will be withdrawn from all your courses if you do not settle your account by the published deadlines. Information on fee payment deadlines can be found on the Student Accounts website.
Non-Degree Students
Carleton University offers a number of options for studying, even if you aren’t interested in doing a degree! Visit the FAQs below and the following pages for more information on what is required to study at Carleton:
University of Ottawa Exchange
If you are a Carleton University student looking to study at the University of Ottawa, please visit the University of Ottawa Exchange page on the Registrar’s Office website.
If you are a University of Ottawa student looking to study at Carleton University, please see the checklist and personal information form in the “Downloads” section below.
FAQs
The following are frequently asked questions for Non-Degree and Special students.
- How many courses can I take as a special student?
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- Special students may normally enrol in up to 2.0 credits per academic session (e.g. Fall and Winter together) and no more than 1.0 credit per term (e.g. two half-credit courses). Special students may enrol in up to 1.0 credit during the Summer session.
- Special students who have completed one or more full credits with an overall CGPA of 7.0 in all credits taken at Carleton (including failures) may register in up to 1.5 credits in each term of the Fall/Winter session.
- Special students who provide proof of the following may request up to 2.5 credits per term in Fall/Winter session and 2.0 credits in the summer session:
- The student is enrolled full time in a degree program at another institution and can present a Letter of Permission authorized by that institution.
- The student holds an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution and wishes to pursue further study for professional development or in preparation for graduate study.
- Credit limit increases are not automatically renewed and must be requested each term.
- Audited courses are included in calculating the course load.
- Special students who have been admitted with an English as a Second Language Requirement (ESLR) are governed by additional regulations. Please consult the ESLR registration webpage for further details on registration limits.
- What courses are available to me?
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Special students may normally enrol in up to 2.0 credits per academic session (e.g. Fall and Winter together) and no more than 1.0 credit per term (e.g. two half-credit courses). Special students may enrol in up to 1.0 credit during the Summer session.
- Special students who have completed one or more full credits with an overall CGPA of 7.0 in all credits taken at Carleton (including failures) may register in up to 1.5 credits in each term of the Fall/Winter session.
- Special students who provide proof of the following may request up to 2.5 credits per term in Fall/Winter session and 2.0 credits in the summer session:
- The student is enrolled full time in a degree program at another institution and can present a Letter of Permission authorized by that institution
- The student holds an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution and wishes to pursue further study for professional development or in preparation for graduate study.
- Credit limit increases are not automatically renewed and must be requested each term.
- Audited courses are included in calculating the course load.
- Special students who have been admitted with an English as a Second Language Requirement (ESLR) are governed by additional regulations. Please consult the ESLR registration webpage for further details on registration limits.
- Can I take a course for interest without being graded?
An auditing student is a student who attends a course for interest and not credit. With the permission of the instructor, students may audit courses which are not designated as having limited enrolment. Auditors receive no grade and no credit for courses audited. Formal registration is required.
Downloads
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