Taking courses outside of Concordia
You may have the option of taking courses outside of Concordia during your studies, with permission from the university — and transferring the credit towards your Concordia degree.
Why take an outside course?
It may make sense for you to take an outside course when:
- The course is not available at Concordia
- You wish to study abroad
- Your personal circumstances take you to another location, for example during summer break
Gaining permission depends on your academic standing, how many credits you have already completed and whether the outside course matches your degree requirements. You need to get permission before registering for an outside course, so it's important to plan ahead.
If you take a course within the Quebec university network, your grade in the outside course will factor into your Concordia grade point average. If you take course as a visiting student or go on exchange, your grade will not affect your GPA.
You will need to earn a grade of C- or better in your outside course for transfer credit towards your Concordia degree requirements.
Within the Quebec university network
You can take anywhere from three to 15 credits (depending on your faculty’s rules) in a term at another Quebec university. Not only will you get credit towards your Concordia degree, but your grade in the course will count towards your grade point average.
To take part, you must be in acceptable standing and have completed 24 credits at Concordia by the time you plan to start your course at another Quebec institution.
How to apply
Use the online form managed by the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire. Your department or faculty will let you know once your request is approved.
Student exchange program
Go global with your degree when you study abroad at an exchange partner university while paying Concordia tuition rates. To qualify, you must:
- have completed at least 24 credit at Concordia
- be studying full-time in the year before you plan to go on exchange (at least 12 credits in fall and winter terms)
- have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.70
How to apply
Applications open twice a year. You'll need to review your faculty's requirements, apply to Concordia International and finally apply to your host institution.
Visiting student
You need to complete the majority of your courses at Concordia but you could receive permission to take a course at another institution as a visiting student. You may wish to a course not available at Concordia, for example. Or maybe you're home for the summer and you'd like to take a class at a local university.
Parameters to keep in mind:
- You will only earn transfer credit for courses in which you get a grade of C- or higher
- The grade you earn will not factor into your grade point average at Concordia
- You pay host university tuition
You must request permission ahead of time through your faculty.
Questions?
The best place to get answers, if you’re unsure, is to connect with an academic advisor in your faculty or department by submitting a student request form.