Special Student Application

• Complete an online application.
• Transcripts and/or proof of English Language Proficiency must be submitted with the application. (refer to section 4 of the General Admissions Requirements section of the undergraduate calendar).
• A processing fee of $64.25 must be paid when the application is submitted.
  • This fee includes HST and is effective May 1, 2024.
  • Payment can be made via certified cheque (payable to Carleton University), Interact, Visa, or MasterCard (HST #11883 8937 RT0001).
• Processing time is 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.

• Registrar’s Office – for information on applying, registration, and course availability.
• Academic Advising Centre – for current special students with a student identification number looking to create an academic plan.
• Graduate Studies – for students interested in applying for graduate degree programs.
• Special Student Checklist – a quick guide to ensure you are on the right path to begin your studies at Carleton.

Current employees of Carleton University are able to apply as a special student via our online application. Staff should select the option to apply as a returning special student and enter the staff ID number in lieu of a student number. Staff are not required to provide transcripts in support of their application.

• 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.

• If you wish to eventually take a degree program note the specific Faculty requirements for Special and Mature entrants in the undergraduate Calendar.
• Those who have not completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent may need to update their qualifications by enrolling in courses at the Qualifying-University year level.
• Please contact the Admissions Office for any questions on admission to degree or certificate programs.

• Applicants are encouraged to view the course offerings on the Public Class Schedule.
• Degree students are given priority within the course registration system.
• Some courses are restricted to degree students only, such as:
  • First-year seminars
  • Journalism, Engineering, Architecture, Business, Industrial Design
• These restrictions will be indicated in the course description.
• Some undergraduate and all graduate courses require the permission of the department or individual instructor.

Course withdrawal must be done via Carleton Central within the published deadlines. Non-attendance or failure to pay fees does not constitute as a withdrawal. Failure to pay your tuition fees by the published fee payment deadlines may result in deregistration from all courses.

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.