You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here.

Academic Recognition, Promotion, and Continuation

Dean's List

Dean’s List designation recognizes exceptional academic achievement in the Faculty of Arts.

Students who complete at least 27 percentage-graded credits in a Winter Session, and who achieve an average of 85% or higher on at least 27 of these credits, will receive the notation "Dean's List" on their permanent record.

Students in the Arts Co-operative Education program who complete a Co-operative work placement in either Term of a Winter Session and at least 15 percentage-graded credits in the other Term, and who achieve an average of 85% or higher on at least 15 of these credits, will receive the notation "Dean's List" on their permanent record.

Students registered in the Dual Degree Program in Arts and Science or the Dual Degree Program in Arts and Applied Science should consult the program page for Dean’s List regulations within the Dual Degree structure.

Scholarships and Awards

For information on scholarships and awards available to academically outstanding students, see Awards, scholarships and bursaries. See also Fees, Financial Assistance, and Scholarships.

Class Standing at Graduation

The designation “with Distinction” will be notated on the degree parchment for any student who has achieved an average of at least 80% but less than 85%, calculated on all attempted UBC academic courses numbered 300* or higher. The designation “with High Distinction” will be notated on the degree parchment for any student who has achieved an average of at least 85%, calculated on all attempted UBC academic courses numbered 300* or higher.

*For students who complete a Major, Honours, or Minor in Music, ensemble and composition courses with 100- or 200-level course numbers will count as 300- or 400-level courses, and hence as part of the upper-level average calculation, when taken in the third or fourth years.

Promotion Requirements

In order to progress from one year-level standing to the next, a student must successfully complete a sufficient total number of B.A.-eligible credits. These may include transfer credit as well as credit earned through exchange. Year-level standing impacts a student’s eligibility for specializations and courses, and is one of the factors considered when registration dates are set.

Promotion is evaluated annually upon completion of the Winter Session. Students who have successfully completed 27 credits are promoted to second year standing. Those who have completed 54 credits are promoted to third year standing, and those who have completed 84 credits are promoted to fourth year standing.

Continuation Requirements

Continuation, or a student’s eligibility to continue registering in their degree program, is evaluated annually upon completion of the Winter Session. Continued registration eligibility is granted based on the Sessional Average for the Winter Session, as well as a review of specific continuation requirements.

Continuation is evaluated as follows:

Winter Session Average   Sessional Standing Continuation Status
55% or more   Pass1 Eligible to continue
54.9% to 50%   ACPR2 Eligible to continue
less than 50%   Fail3, 4 Required to withdraw
       
1 Students who attain a sessional average of 55% or more will be assigned 'Pass' standing and will be eligible to continue their studies. This constitutes Good Standing. Those who do exceptionally well may also receive recognition; see Dean’s List.
2 Students who attain a sessional average between 50% and 54.9% will be placed on Academic Probation (ACPR). This will be noted on their academic record. Once a standing of ACPR has been placed on a student’s academic record, the student is permitted to continue in their degree program, but will be placed on a reduced maximum credit load for the following Winter and subsequent Summer Sessions, as follows:
 
ACPR Standing   Registration Winter Session Summer Session
Maximum   credit load per Session 24 9
Maximum   credit load per Term 12 6 (Term 1); 3 (Term 2)
If, upon completion of continuation evaluation the following year, the student’s Winter Session sessional average again falls in the 50%-54.9% range, they will remain on Academic Probation. If their Winter Session sessional average rises to 55% or more, they will clear Academic Probation and regain Good Standing. There is no maximum number of instances of Academic Probation permitted; students may remain on Academic Probation for the duration of their studies, as long as their Winter Session average falls in the ACPR range.
3 Students who attain a sessional average of less than 50% in a Winter Session will be assigned a 'Fail' standing and required to withdraw from the Faculty.
4 For information on readmission after receiving “Fail” standing and being required to withdraw from the Faculty, see Readmission.

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