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A student whose academic background entitles him or her to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies but who is considered to be inadequately prepared to enter a graduate program in the specific discipline (e.g., three-year degree holders from other Canadian universities, a student changing from one field of study to another, or a student upgrading academic standing) may be admitted as a qualifying student. Qualifying students are not considered graduate students.

If, at the end of a qualifying term or year, the graduate program and the Faculty of Graduate Studies are satisfied with the calibre of the student's work, the student may apply for admission to a graduate degree program.

Courses taken during a qualifying year or term that are necessary in order to meet the requirements for full admission to Graduate Studies cannot be transferred to a subsequent graduate program. However, other courses may be transferred upon the recommendation of the department and with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Qualifying student status is available only to applicants who do not require a study permit to enter Canada.

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Qualifying students are assessed fees on a per-credit basis for all courses taken (section 4.4.1). Fees paid under these circumstances will not subsequently be credited in a graduate degree program. International students see section 6.4 for details.

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Applicants to a Qualifying year:

have academic grade point averages that are lower than the requirements of the graduate program and/or the Faculty of Graduate Studies, but could feasibly be brought up to the required level given high marks in a year of additional work at the senior undergraduate level

or

are lacking specific prerequisite courses for admission, but only to the extent that could be remedied within one year of qualifying study

or

hold a three-year Canadian undergraduate degree (except for graduates from Quebec universities who have completed the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales).

A Qualifying year is typically composed of an additional 21-30 undergraduate credits. (Qualifying students may not register in graduate courses without specific permission in advance from the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.)

Qualifying status is granted only to those students who are recommended for such status by the graduate program in which they wish to pursue graduate studies. If the department recommendation is approved, the Faculty of Graduate Studies will send a letter to the student explaining that she or he is not admissible to the graduate program, but is accepted to a year of qualifying studies.

The University will not admit students requiring Study Permits to a qualifying year.