Applicants from International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum

Admission to the University of Alberta for high school students enrolled in the IB program is based on IB grades or, if a second curriculum is studied in conjunction with IB (i.e., Alberta Education Diploma), the higher of either the IB or high school grade will be used. An official IB transcript of final results is required in all cases.

If a combination of second curriculum and IB courses are used in the calculation of the admission average, the grade conversion scale used to determine admission is as follows:

For full IB Diploma students, admission may be offered based on the presentation of IB Organization approved predicted points with a total of 30 or higher (including additional points, no single grade less than 4). Required subjects and competitive averages vary by program.

IB Transfer Credit Policy

Students who are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program must submit official IB transcripts by the document deadline (see Admission and Readmission Deadlines ). Advanced Standing (credit or placement) in approved courses is awarded for an IB grade of 6 or 7 only (see Advanced Placement  and Credit by Special Assessment ). Students who are awarded the IB Diploma are granted ★3 (credits) in an open elective course at the 100-level. For a list of eligible IB courses approved for advanced standing, refer to Admission Chart 4.

Applicants qualifying for transfer credit based on IB coursework will have the option of declining the credit on a course-by-course basis. The decision to decline credit is final and cannot be reversed. All grades earned in subsequent coursework, including failing grades, will be permanently recorded on students’ transcripts and computed into GPA calculations in accordance with the policies of the students’ Faculties. Applicants wishing to decline credit must contact IBstudent@ualberta.ca prior to the Fall Term course registration deadline (see the Academic Schedule ).

Admissions Chart 4: IB Courses Approved for Advanced Standing

International Baccalaureate Course Equivalents

Notes

1. Students who are eligible for Advanced Placement may register in a senior course. In the case of Language other than English courses students with Advanced Placement will be permitted to register in a senior level course after determination of their background qualifications for that course (interview, placement test, etc.). Students may also challenge a junior or senior course for credit via the Credit by Special Assessment route if they have appropriate qualifications and are eligible within the regulations.
2. Credit will be awarded for all five regional options offered at the higher level (HL), including Africa; Americas; East and South East Asia and Oceania; Europe (including Russia); and South Asia and the Middle East (including North Africa).
3. For students entering the Faculty of Engineering, transfer credit for the first (qualifying) year courses does not reduce the minimum load requirement of 37.0 units.
4. Students wishing to pursue credit by special assessment, please refer to Credit by Special Assessment  for information.
5. When students are instructed ‘not to take’ a specific course and a generic 100-level credit is granted, this credit may be used to meet the prerequisite for any higher level course requiring the specific course in question.