Academic Policies and Regulations

These policies are governed by Western University’s Senate Academic Policies. For full details, please refer to the official Senate policy:

Academic Accommodation of Students in the Reserve Forces	Academic Policy (pdf)
Accommodation for Religious Holidays	Academic Policy (pdf)
Political Candidacy of Students	Academic Policy (pdf)
Western University Policy on Academic Accommodation for Students with Disabilities	Academic Policy (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Academic Calendar	Academic Policy (pdf)
Certificates, Diplomas and Micro-credentials	Academic Policy (pdf)
Cotutelle Agreements with Universities in France	Academic Policy (pdf)
International Dual-Credential Degree Programs	Academic Policy (pdf)
Official Student Record Information Privacy Policy	Academic Policy (pdf)
Policy on Establishing Senate Academic Policies and Procedures	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)
Structure of the Academic Year	Academic Policy (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Academic Integrity	Academic Policy (pdf)
Graduate Degree Admissions	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)

 

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Academic Records and Student Transcripts	Academic Policy (pdf)
Access to and Retention of Exam Papers and Other Work	Academic Policy (pdf)
English Language Proficiency for Assignment of Grades	Academic Policy (pdf)
Grading Scale for Graduate Students	Academic Policy (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Academic Integrity	Academic Policy (pdf)
Graduate Degree Admissions	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Graduation	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)
Application for Graduation and Notification of Eligibility to Graduate	Academic Policy (pdf)
Convocation; Graduation Diplomas and Certificates	Academic Policy (pdf)
Dean's Honour List and Graduation "With Distinction"	Academic Policy (pdf)

These policies are governed by Western University’s Senate Academic Policies. For full details, please refer to the official Senate policy:

Academic Accommodation of Students in the Reserve Forces

Academic Policy (pdf)

 

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Course Outlines	Academic Policy (pdf)
Course Numbering Policy, Essay Courses, and Hours of Instruction	Academic Policy (pdf)
Experiential Learning	Academic Policy (pdf)
Interdisciplinary Combined PhD Option	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)
Program Design - Course Registration	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)
Program Design - Courses and Milestones	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Assessing Student Progress in Multi-Year Research-Based Programs	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)
Registration in Graduate Programs	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Requests for Relief from Academic Decisions	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)
Senate Review Board Academic Appeals	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Scholastic Offences	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)
SRBA Academic Appeals	Academic Policy (pdf)	Procedures (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

General Policy on Scholarship, Awards, Prizes	Academic Policy (pdf)
Gold Medals	Academic Policy (pdf)

These are Senate Academic Policies. For more information, please visit the University Secretariat website.

Thesis

Academic Policy (pdf)

Procedures - Format and Content (pdf) Procedures - Exam & Submission

Effective Date: June 20, 2023, superceding previous regulation
Approval Authority: Graduate Education Council; Senate (for information)

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At Western, supporting our student researchers is a top priority.  By offering funding packages to help offset the expenses associated with full-time graduate study, we help our full-time students in PhD programs and in many research-based Master’s programs to devote more time to their studies and research. Based on recommendations by the admitting graduate program, students in research-based programs are offered competitive funding support packages.

1. Funding For Students in Research-Based Programs

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies distinguishes between research-based programs and professionally-oriented programs to determine eligibility for student support.

Eligible students in the Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance program (DMA), all PhD programs and some research-based Master’s programs will be offered a financial support package which may include funds from the Faculty or graduate program, such as internal or external scholarship support, or part-time employment.

The funding support package can come from a variety of sources and can differ from student to student. The sources include: supervisor research grant support (e.g. Graduate Fellowship); external scholarships and fellowships from the federal Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) and from the Province of Ontario (OGS/QEII-GSST); Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA); internal support (e.g. WGRS, awards from donations and endowments); and employment other than GTA. The support package can change, for example when a student receives an external scholarship, or in response to a student’s change in residency; such as, becoming a permanent resident under the Immigration Act of Canada.

Band funding received by Indigenous students must not reduce the funding package.  Programs must not enquire about band funding.  OSAP is excluded in the calculation of the funding package.

The components of a student’s funding package must normally be communicated to them via a Funding Plan (i.e., an annual funding support document) in advance of the first term of study. This Funding Plan must be updated each year hereafter, during the student's fundable period. The Funding Plan outlines the projected sources, amounts and payment schedule of the student’s annual funding.

The Funding Plan document must be available as an on-going and annual reference for the student and for those responsible for addressing student enquiries. Additionally, the annual Funding Plans provides a tool for checking a student’s support against the cohort-specific support commitment.

It is expected that programs will use the Mercury funding portal to catalog program/faculty funding models and to communicate funding expectations, amounts and sources to students registered in funding-eligible programs. The Mercury system maintains this detailed funding information over a student’s period of study and records any updates and changes throughout this time.

The student may decline all or part of the funding package. Where the student declines all or part of the package, the program must submit a written statement to SGPS, signed by the student and grad chair/director, waiving the graduate program’s responsibility to provide the declined funding during the student’s program.

2. Academic Requirements and Eligibility For a Student Funding Support Package

To be eligible for funding support package a student must:

• be registered full-time
• meet program progression requirements

3. Program Duration and Eligibility For Financial Support

Students in funding-eligible programs receive financial support for the normal duration of their program. Note that there are three terms in one year:

• The normal duration for Master's programs varies from three terms to six terms , depending on the program. Consult the program's regulations for details.
• The normal duration for Doctoral programs is twelve terms.
• Students who transfer from a Master's program to a Doctoral program are eligible for financial support for fifteen consecutive full-time terms of registration. This includes both programs.
• Students who enter the Doctoral program directly from the Bachelor’s are eligible for financial support for up to fifteen terms of full-time registration.
• During their fundable period, graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply for external awards for which they are eligible, such as, federal Tri-Agency (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR) and Ontario government awards (OGS/QEII-GSST).

4. Minimum Annual Funding Package for Doctoral Students

Incoming Doctoral students and continuing Doctoral students who meet the usual eligibility criteria (see Sections 5.02 and 5.03 above), must be offered an annual financial package (i.e., three terms commencing with the initial term of admission) of at least the annual cost of full-time tuition (Office of the Registrar - Fees & Refunds) plus $17,000, with the following caveats:

• The financial support package can come from a variety of sources and can differ from student to student. The sources include: supervisor research grant support (e.g. Graduate Fellowship); external scholarships and fellowships from the federal Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) and from the Province of Ontario (OGS/QEII-GSST); Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA); internal support (e.g. WGRS, awards from donations and endowments); and employment other than GTA. The support package can change, for example when a student receives an external scholarship, or in response to a student’s change in residency; such as, becoming a permanent resident under the Immigration Act of Canada.
• OSAP is excluded in the calculation of the financial package.
• The student may decline all or part of the funding package. Where the student declines all or part of the package, the program must submit a written statement to SGPS, signed by the student and grad chair/director, waiving the graduate program’s responsibility to provide the declined funding during the student’s program.

5. Completion of the Student’s Program

When a student completes the program or withdraws without completing while receiving financial support, the support may be subject to repayment or pro-rating for the remainder of the term. It is important for a student to consult with the graduate program and/or the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for details.

The University of Western Ontario and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies reserves the right to modify and/or discontinue the financial support packages.

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website provides complete information on Financial Support available at The University of Western Ontario.

Effective Date: April 3, 2023, superceding previous regulation
Approval Authority: Graduate Education Council; Senate (for information)

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Masters and doctoral degree programs are approved by Western’s Institutional Quality Assurance Process and the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance and must meet Graduate Degree Level Expectations as outlined by the Quality Council and Western.

1. Research Degree Programs at Western: focus on research, scholarship, and creative activity and prepare students for a wide variety of potential careers, including those directly related to academia. They are offered at both the masters and doctoral levels.

Western research degree programs are required to:

• Offer a significant research, scholarship, and creative activity requirement, typically in the form of a thesis or a major research project (or equivalent)
• Deliver curriculum supporting learning outcomes focused on the development of research, scholarship, and creative activity
• Consider offering experiential learning opportunities, which can include work‑integrated learning opportunities

Students in masters‑level research programs:

• Are eligible for external scholarship funding
• May be eligible for Graduate Student Funding Support Packages

Students in doctoral‑level research programs:

• Are eligible for external scholarship funding
• Are guaranteed Graduate Student Funding Support Packages

2. Professional Degree Programs at Western: are intentionally designed to prepare students to apply their knowledge and evidence‑based training and skills in professional or career settings. In most cases they prepare students for specific professions. They are offered at both the masters and doctoral levels and may be subject to external accreditation.

Western professional degree programs are required to:

• Offer a significant experiential element, ideally a work‑integrated learning opportunity
• Deliver curriculum supporting learning outcomes focused on professional or career‑related, evidence‑based knowledge, skills, and competencies
• Offer a course‑based curriculum that may include a project

Students in professional programs:

• Are typically ineligible for external scholarship funding
• Are ineligible for a Graduate Student Funding Support Package

Effective Date: September 16, 2022, superceding previous regulation
Approval Authority: Graduate Education Council; Senate (for information)

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Graduate students are encouraged to participate in professional development and career-related courses, workshops, talks and events as outlined in this policy.

1. Own Your Future Programming

Doctoral students have the right to and are strongly encouraged to participate in Own Your Future programming.

Graduate students do not need the approval of their supervisors or their programs to participate in these Faculty, program and university-wide events.

Participation in Own Your Future and other professional development offerings are outside of TA duties, time-critical research duties, and shall not interfere with required current Graduate program courses, meetings and responsibilities.

Effective Date: June 20, 2023, superceding previous regulation
Approval Authority: Graduate Education Council; Senate (for information)

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In accordance with The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies’ Composition and Rules of Procedure, only members of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) may be involved in graduate student education, supervision and formal teaching. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee that membership will be granted.

1. Categories of Membership

The categories of membership are:

• Teaching/Advisory
• Associate
• Master’s
• Doctoral
  
  

2. Duration

Master's and Doctoral memberships are permanent in the home department.  Master’s or Doctoral memberships held outside of the home department are not permanent and may be subject to audit and inactivation at each Institutional Quality Assurance Process review or at other timelines specified by the program. Consideration will be given to the potential for conflict of interest or bias in situations that may arise in the context of membership.

Teaching/Advisory Membership (TAM) is temporary up to a maximum of three years, renewable.  

Associate Membership is temporary, up to a maximum of five years, renewable.
 

3. Privileges, Criteria and Qualifications

Summary of Privileges by Membership Level

Summary of Criteria and Qualifications Required by Membership Level

Complete criteria for, and privileges associated with each category are listed below:

4. Retirement

Upon retirement:

• Faculty members with continuing students and masters or doctoral membership, who hold an adjunct appointment and emeritus status can supervise their continuing students for a maximum of two years while the student(s) complete their degree without changing their membership status of doctoral or masters.
• Faculty members without continuing students will have their current membership converted to TAM membership, which would need to be renewed every three years.

To supervise students for more than two years after retirement, the following must be in place:

• an adjunct appointment, and
• emeritus status, and
• nomination from the program for Associate Membership or higher*, and
• an additional supervisor holding the appropriate membership.

*Two years after retirement, with program nomination, emeritus faculty can only hold Associate Membership.

To be a supervisory committee member, emeritus faculty must have TAM membership or higher. TAM membership does not require an adjunct appointment.

5. Faculty Members Who Leave Western for Reasons Other Than Retirement

Membership status is automatically terminated for faculty members who leave Western. To continue to
supervise continuing or new students, the following must be in place:

• an adjunct appointment
• nomination from the program for Associate membership
• an additional supervisor holding the appropriate membership

Updated: September 16, 2022, superseding previous regulation
Approval Authority: Graduate Education Council; Senate (for information)

For further supervision information and guidance, please visit https://grad.uwo.ca/academics/supervision.html.

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One of the most important aspects of graduate training is the timely, clear identification of a Supervisory Committee for each graduate student participating in a research program. Although there are wide variations in the pattern of finding a Supervisory Committee, it is this group who plays a key role in the direction of the graduate student's research. Although reasonable effort will be made to accommodate individual student research preferences, the graduate program cannot guarantee to provide a particular supervisor or particular committee members, nor can the program accommodate every topic of research proposed by a graduate student. As one illustration, some programs may only accept students to work on specific projects that are funded by a faculty member's research grant or contract-based funding.

1. General

Although reasonable effort will be made to accommodate individual student research preferences, the graduate program cannot guarantee to provide a particular supervisor or particular committee members, nor can the program accommodate every topic of research proposed by a graduate student.

As one illustration, some programs may only accept students to work on specific projects that are funded by a faculty member's research grant or contract-based funding.

A supervisor is required for all research-degree students. At admission, students are given an offer letter that outlines the contractual obligations between the student and the program.

Each program will ensure that students receive appropriate supervision.

When the supervisor is determined (either at admission or some later point) the supervisor commits to assuming the roles and responsibilities specified by the School for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the program.

2. Supervisory Roles

A Supervisory Committee consists of at least one Supervisor and at least one Committee Member (who is not also one of the supervisors).

The Supervisory Committee may:

• assist in the development of the candidate's research plan and thesis proposal
• provide advice and constructive feedback on the planning and writing of the thesis
• evaluate progress

All members of the committee must hold the appropriate level of SGPS Membership as outlined herein.

Supervisor

• This designation indicates that the faculty member(s) have primary responsibility for overseeing the Master’s or Doctoral thesis research program.
• Up to two Supervisors can participate in a Supervisory Committee.
• Supervisors must meet the following SGPS membership requirements:
  • For doctoral students, a Supervisor must have Doctoral Membership in the student’s program.
    • An additional Supervisor could have Doctoral, Master’s, or Associate membership in any program.
  • For Master’s students, a Supervisor must have Doctoral or Master’s Membership in the student’s program.
    • An additional Supervisor could have Doctoral, Master’s, or Associate membership in any program.

Committee Member

• All supervisory committees must contain at least one Committee Member (in addition to Supervisor(s)).
• This designation indicates that the Committee Member has a secondary responsibility for the Master’s or Doctoral thesis research program.
• Up to three Committee Members can participate in a Supervisory Committee.
• Committee Members must have any level of SGPS membership in any program.

3. Expectations and Requirements of Supervisors

3.1 All supervisors are expected to:

• adhere to standards of ethical behaviour, academic integrity, and professionalism
• commit the time, energy, and focus reasonably necessary to enable students to achieve the progress expected in their program
• demonstrate effective management and leadership skills
• demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills
• respect diversity and demonstrate intercultural competency
• endeavor to develop insights into their strengths and weaknesses as a supervisor and to pursue opportunities to build further strength, particularly in areas of weakness
• recognize the supervisor–student power differential and demonstrate respect for the student’s rights and goals
• respect and provide support for the student’s academic and career goals
• respect the student’s personal circumstances (e.g., the need to fulfill personal obligations such as childcare)
• differentiate between their own and their students’ needs
• explicitly discuss with the student expectations regarding authorship on publications and ownership of intellectual property

3.2 All supervisors are required to:

• provide continuous supervision through the duration of the student’s studies. This includes ensuring that supervision continues through periods of supervisor absence from campus (e.g., maintaining full supervision during sabbatical; securing co‑supervision if needed/appropriate)
• adhere to the academic requirements of the program and SGPS regulations
• contribute to the program’s evaluation of the student’s progress as required by the program and SGPS
• ensure regular meetings of the student with the full Thesis Supervisory Committee as per the program's and/or SGPS's regulations
• actively involve the Thesis Supervisory Committee in the process of guiding the student
• meet with their graduate student no later than one month after assignment of supervision, or initial registration as a student at Western, to discuss and clarify expectations for the supervisor–student relationship
• provide timely feedback on documents, reports, materials, or scholarship applications — normally two weeks is reasonable for a thesis chapter or equivalent
• provide timely responses (acknowledgment or substantial reply) when contacted by students; for example, responding to emails within 72 hours
• in collaboration with the student, set and adhere to reasonable timelines for all aspects of the student’s academic work, consistent with program milestones
• respect interpersonal boundaries and demonstrate professional behaviour with the student
• respect appropriate times and means for communication with the student
• as logistics permit, allow and respect the student’s right to set their own daily schedule
• make good‑faith efforts to provide the resources needed for the student’s work
• allow and not undermine the student’s engagement in professional development
• adhere to all health and safety policies (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section3/mapp31.pdf)
• adhere to all policies related to research ethics (mapp712 and mapp714)
• adhere to the Non‑Discrimination/Harassment policy (mapp135)
• adhere to the University policy on Academic Integrity in Research Activities (mapp70)
• adhere to the University policy on Accessibility (mapp147)
• adhere to SGPS Policy (http://grad.uwo.ca/postdoctoral_scholars/current/policies_procedures.html)

3.2 All supervisors are required to:

• provide continuous supervision through the duration of the student’s studies. This includes ensuring that supervision continues through periods of supervisor absence from campus (e.g., maintaining full supervision during sabbatical; securing co‑supervision if needed/appropriate)
• adhere to the academic requirements of the program and SGPS regulations
• contribute to the program’s evaluation of the student’s progress as required by the program and SGPS
• ensure regular meetings of the student with the full Thesis Supervisory Committee as per the program's and/or SGPS's regulations
• actively involve the Thesis Supervisory Committee in the process of guiding the student
• meet with their graduate student no later than one month after assignment of supervision, or initial registration as a student at Western, to discuss and clarify expectations for the supervisor–student relationship
• provide timely feedback on documents, reports, materials, or scholarship applications — normally two weeks is reasonable for a thesis chapter or equivalent
• provide timely responses (acknowledgment or substantial reply) when contacted by students; for example, responding to emails within 72 hours
• in collaboration with the student, set and adhere to reasonable timelines for all aspects of the student’s academic work, consistent with program milestones
• respect interpersonal boundaries and demonstrate professional behaviour with the student
• respect appropriate times and means for communication with the student
• as logistics permit, allow and respect the student’s right to set their own daily schedule
• make good‑faith efforts to provide the resources needed for the student’s work
• allow and not undermine the student’s engagement in professional development
• adhere to all health and safety policies (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section3/mapp31.pdf)
• adhere to all policies related to research ethics (mapp712 and mapp714)
• adhere to the Non‑Discrimination/Harassment policy (mapp135)
• adhere to the University policy on Academic Integrity in Research Activities (mapp70)
• adhere to the University policy on Accessibility (mapp147)
• adhere to SGPS Policy (http://grad.uwo.ca/postdoctoral_scholars/current/policies_procedures.html)

4.2 All students are required to:

• adhere to the program's progression requirements
• be aware of the requirements and timelines of their program
• adhere to all program and SGPS regulations
• communicate regularly with the supervisor and the Thesis Supervisory Committee with respect to progress in the thesis
• give serious consideration and response to comments and advice from the supervisor and/or Thesis Supervisory Committee
• know who else to go to for advice and guidance, in addition to the supervisor, when needed (for example, Thesis Supervisory Committee members, the Graduate Program Chair, the Department Chair, the Associate Dean‑Graduate Studies in the Faculty, an Associate Vice‑Provost or the Vice‑Provost in SGPS, the Ombudsperson, and Equity and Human Rights Services)
• set their own daily schedule within the logistics of the research setting, which includes working reasonable hours and informing their supervisors of any change in their schedule that could affect the work of others
• explore and articulate academic and career objectives and goals
• notify the program of any request for accommodation
• adhere to all health and safety policies (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section3/mapp31.pdf)
• adhere to all policies related to research ethics (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section7/mapp712.pdf and http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section7/mapp714.pdf)
• adhere to the Non‑Discrimination/Harassment policy (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section1/mapp135.pdf)
• adhere to the University policy on Academic Integrity in Research Activities (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section7/mapp70.pdf)
• adhere to the University policy on Accessibility (https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/policies_procedures/section1/mapp147.pdf)
• adhere to SGPS Policy (http://grad.uwo.ca/postdoctoral_scholars/current/policies_procedures.html)

5. Changing a Supervisor

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is committed to resolving any conflicts between students and supervisors as early as possible. When the process breaks down, the following apply:

• Students have the right to request a change of supervisor. If the student requests a change, they should contact their Graduate Chair.
• Supervisors cannot unilaterally terminate the thesis supervisory relationship. If a supervisor initiates this change, then the appropriate processes must be followed. Questions about the process should be directed to the Graduate Chair or the Associate Dean (Graduate) of the Faculty.
• Student and faculty member requests for changing supervisors will be reviewed by the Graduate program. If the supervisor and student agree that a change to the supervisory relationship is needed, normally the Graduate Chair will work with the student and supervisor to find a solution as early as possible.
• The new supervisor, normally from the student’s program, will assume the roles and responsibilities specified by SGPS and the program.
• Normally, the normal duration of the degree program for the student will not be increased.

Effective Date: September 16, 2022, superceding previous regulation

Approval Authority: Graduate Education Council; Senate (for information)

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1. Commitment to Barrier-Free Accessibility

Western is committed to achieving barrier-free accessibility for all its members (including graduate students) who have ongoing or temporary conditions that may include but are not limited to:

• Chronic illnesses (for example, fibromyalgia, migraines);
• Chronic pain;
• Attention deficit disorders;
• Learning disabilities;
• Mental health conditions (for example, anxiety, depression);
• Acquired brain injuries and concussions;
• Vision and hearing impairments;
• Mobility impairments; and
• Injury related to an accident.

This applies to all persons with disabilities studying, visiting, and working at Western.

As part of this commitment, there are a variety of services on campus devoted to promoting accessibility and to ensuring that individuals have equitable access to meet graduate and undergraduate program requirements and to access services and facilities.

2. Accessible Education

Accessible Education (AE) is a confidential service to support graduate and undergraduate students through their academic program.

AE plays a central role in Western’s efforts to ensure that its graduate and undergraduate academic programs are accessible. AE works with graduate students and their programs—normally their graduate chair—to ensure that appropriate academic accommodations to program requirements are arranged.

AE services include individual counselling, alternative formatted literature, accessible campus transportation, learning strategy instruction, and assistive technology instruction.

AE can also assist students in identifying services that may be of assistance. For more information, please visit Academic Support & Engagement – Accessible Education.

Effective Date: September 16, 2022, superceding previous regulation
Approval Authority: Graduate Education Council; Senate (for information)

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Graduate Study at Other Universities for Western Students

This section outlines and describes the situations in which a graduate student at Western may study at other institutions.

1. Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Program

With the approval of their program and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, students registered at Western may take courses at other Ontario universities under the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student program, without additional tuition.

Courses taken under this agreement must be required for the student's degree program and must be taken for credit.

For students in course‑based programs, no more than two half‑courses can be taken at another institution.

To apply to take a course under the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student program, students must complete the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Program Application Form:

Application Form

2. Exchange Agreement with Canadian and International Universities

Western has exchange agreements with many Canadian and international universities.

With the approval of their Western program and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, students may take courses for Western credit at a partner university, subject to the particulars of Western's exchange agreement with the partner institution.

Western students on exchange must register as full‑time students at Western and pay tuition to Western, and hence are not subject to tuition at the international rate at a partner university.

3. Canadian Universities Graduate Transfer Agreement

Western is a member of the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS).

With the approval of their program and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, students registered in a program at a CAGS‑member university (the home institution) may take courses for credit at another CAGS‑member university (the host institution).

For students in course‑based programs, no more than two half‑courses can be taken at another institution.

To apply to take a course under the Canadian Universities Graduate Transfer Agreement, students must complete the Canadian Universities Graduate Transfer Agreement Application Form:

Application Form

4. Credit Courses at Non‑Partner Universities

Western students may take courses for Western credit at a university that is not covered by an exchange or transfer agreement.

This requires the approval of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and an offer of admission to the non‑partner university.

In this case, the student pays tuition to the non‑partner university.

Graduate Study at Western for Non‑Western Students

This section outlines and describes the situations in which a non‑Western graduate student may study at Western.

5. Full‑Time Students on Exchange Programs

These students must be registered full‑time in their home institution and satisfy Western admission requirements.

Exchange students may visit Western for research only, or they may take Western courses for credit.

Exchange students cannot audit Western courses.

Exchange students who fail to meet SGPS’s English‑language requirement (see English Language Proficiency Requirements in the SGPS Admissions Policy) may visit Western for research only.