Academic standing
Understanding your unofficial transcript
Grades
Standing Decisions
Minimum averages needed from Arts students
Common Standings Decisions
Standings Decisions "of Concern"
It is in your best interest to contact your academic advisor on a regular basis to discuss your academic standing.
- 50% or higher is a passing grade in UW courses.
- courses taken at WLU (ie. Wilfrid Laurier University) on a Cross-Registration basis or via self-enrollment on Quest (eg. BUS 111W and BUS 121W) require a final grade of 60% to be credited toward your UW degree (WLU employs a letter grade system where a C- is equal to a 60%); grades in WLU courses, while appearing on your UW transcript, will NOT be calculated into your averages (some exceptions are made for students pursuing majors or minors in Anthropology, Classical Studies, German and Spanish).
- the highest grade that will be assigned in ANY UW course is 100%
- failed courses have a grade of less than 50%. For Faculty of Arts students, any grade lower than 32% is calculated into averages as 32%.
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other grades that may be assigned include:
- INC = Incomplete - reflects an agreement between the professor and student to hand in work late (no numeric value BUT will convert to FTC after 4 months
- FTC = Failure to Complete - calculated in averages as 32%.
- NMR = No Mark Recorded - no work submitted for the course (calculated in averages as 32%).
- DNW = Did Not Write - missed the final exam (calculated in averages as 32%).
- MM = Missing Mark - grade has not been received by the Registrar's Office (no numeric value).
- WD = Withdrew (no numeric value).
- WF = Withdrew too late, Failed (calculated in averages as 32%)
Standing Decisions: Academic Standing Decisions are made at the end of every term in which you complete courses, even if you only take one course. You'll find these decisions on your unofficial transcript once grades are official (usually three weeks into the following term).
Your Academic Standing is the "word" equivalent of your average(s). Excellent, Good, Satisfactory are the standing decisions that you want to see! The averages used in standing decisions are cumulative. The averages you need to maintain are determined by the specific requirements of your official academic plan. Don't guess. Check the calendar or consult with your advisor to be certain!
Minimum averages needed from Arts students
Your faculty or “Arts average" (all Arts courses ever taken) MUST equal 65% or higher. Your Arts average is the most important average when determining your standing decision.
Cumulative average (Arts + non-Arts courses) MUST equal 60% or higher.
Grades in courses taught by other Faculties are factored into your overall GBA only:
- Applied Health Sciences = GERON, HLTH, KIN, REC
- Engineering = MSCI, STV
- Environmental Studies = ENVS, ERS, INDEV, INTEG, PLAN
- Mathematics = ACTSC, AMATH, CS, CO, MATH, MTHEL, PMATH, STAT
- Science = BIOL, CHEM, EARTH, PHYS, SCI
IMPORTANT: A cumulative of 60% is not adequate if your ARTS average is below 65%!!!
Other averages to consider……
Major average: if you're registered in a major plan (or hope to be admitted to a major plan), the average of the courses that are required of your major must equal:
- 65% for a 3-Year General major;
- 65% - 70% for a 4-Year General major;
- 75% for an Honours major (as above, your overall average must be at least 60%);
- Liberal Studies (non-major) students need a 65% Arts average.
Arts and Business students (Co-op or Regular) require the following:
- 70% average in required Business-related courses
- admission to an Honours major plan at the end of the 1B term
Minor or Option average: if you wish to complete a minor or option the average of the required courses must equal:
- 65% for a minor;
- 65% to 70% for an option (varies by option)
- Excellent 80% or higher cumulative and major/faculty average of 80% or greater.
- Good varies by program/plan
- Satisfactory varies by program/plan
See the Undergraduate Calendar for program information, and the Plan section for major requirements.
Standing Decisions “of concern”contain the words “Conditional/Must Raise...” or “Unsatisfactory” or “Failed”
Meet with YOUR ADVISOR to discuss your options.
Conditional Standings:
- “Must Raise Faculty average” – an ARTS average of 65% is required.
- “Must Raise Overall Average” – a cumulative average of 60% is required.
- “Must Raise Plan Average(s)” - the major or Arts and Business average is below required
- “Must raise Overall and Plan Average(s)”
- “At Risk of Being Required to Withdraw”
Unsatisfactory Standings: Any of the standing decisions below will automatically change your degree program. Meet with an advisor as soon as you can.
- “Proceed in Honours Arts & Business Regular”
- “Proceed in Honours Arts”
- “Proceed in 4-Year General only”
- “Proceed in 3-Year General Only”
Failed Standings: Impact your ability to continue your studies. You must meet with an advisor.
- “Required to Withdraw”
- “May Not Continue in Faculty”
Students may qualify to enroll in the Foundation Term after a Failed standing decision and at least one term absence from studies. To participate in the Foundation Term, students must sign the Arts Foundation Term Contract (PDF) and submit an application for re-admission (PDF) to be considered.
Students MUST contact their Advisor to determine eligibility for the Foundation Term prior to submitting the contract and application.
