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Current and former Dalhousie students

Applying to Dal as a current or former student

Whether you're a current student transferring to another program, a former student returning to Dal, or a student returning to studies after academic dismissal, you'll find all the information you need to know here.

See IB general entrance requirements Review IB transfer credit table
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Current students applying to a new program

If you are a Dalhousie student and would like to transfer into a new undergraduate program, you must submit a new application as well as meet the general entrance requirements and competitive admission GPA for your chosen program.

There is no application fee if you are a Dalhousie student applying to transfer into a new undergraduate program.

  • Before applying, please review the admission requirements and process outline below for an overview of the requirements and application process. You should also review the application deadlines for your chosen program. 
  • You must meet the subject requirements either from your previous university coursework or from high school. If you don’t have the equivalent to these courses (e.g., a first-year English course) from your studies at Dalhousie, you will need to arrange for a high school transcript to be sent to the Registrar’s Office at admissions@dal.ca (if not already on file).  You do not need to provide your Dalhousie grades.
  • Please note that some majors require that pre-requisite courses be completed with a minimum grade before a student can declare the major.

  • If you have questions about the application process, please reach out to an admissions advisor.
  • Please note that students who are on academic probation may need to return to their original program first to increase their GPA before they can apply to change programs. 

  • Start or complete your admissions application.
  • Be sure to select the appropriate application based on the program you’re applying to:
    • Use Dal Current/Returning Undergrad or Dal Current/Returning Undergrad Health, depending on the program. If you are applying to the Bachelor of Community Design program, that is a separate application. 
    • You can see what programs fall under each Application Type on the DalOnline application page. If you select the incorrect application, you won’t see the right majors. Please review the table of application types carefully before making your selection.
    • Selecting the Dal Current/ Returning Undergrad (or other necessary application) will ensure that you do not need to pay the $70 application fee nor re-submit previous transcripts.

  • Some programs require additional documentation. Please review the supplemental information page to learn more. Supplemental documentation must be received before the application deadline to be considered. Submit to admissions@dal.ca

  • Be sure to check your application portal regularly for updates, using the log-in credentials you created to submit your application. You will receive an official letter containing the admission decision, by email to the address you provided when you applied. 
  • If you are admitted to the program, you must pay the $200 CAD non-refundable deposit by the deadline indicated in your letter and follow the other steps on the “Congratulations on Being Accepted” page. 

  • Once you have paid your deposit, you can then review how your previous courses count toward the new program via your degree audit in DalOnline. 
  • You can meet with an advisor to map out the rest of your degree if you are admitted to your new program including intended major(s), minor(s), certificates, and so on. 
  • You may also need to meet with an advisor for a degree audit to see what requirements are outstanding for your new program.

Returning former students

If you took a voluntary break in your studies of two or more consecutive terms (not including the summer) and you were not academically dismissed, you will need to reapply for admission. You can apply to return for any semester (Fall, Winter, or Spring/ Summer). 

  • If you haven't attended another university or college in the interim period and are returning to the same Dalhousie program, submit a new application as well as a letter explaining your activities since last attending Dal. The letter should be sent to admissions@dal.ca and be sure to include your Dal ID. There is no application fee if you are applying to return to the same program. Please review the steps below. 
  • If you have completed further university/college studies in the interim period, you must meet the general entrance requirements and competitive GPA for your chosen program, even if you are returning to the same Dalhousie program. You must also submit a new application as well as a letter explaining your activities since last attending Dal. Direct the letter to admissions@dal.ca and be sure to include your Dal ID.
  • You should arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar's Office from any other post-secondary institution(s) attended since you left Dal as soon as they are available. See the steps outlined below, especially step 2B. 

  • Before applying, please review the admission requirements and process outline below for an overview of the requirements and application process. You should also review the application deadlines for your chosen program. 
  • You must meet the subject requirements either from your previous university coursework or from high school. If you don’t have the equivalent to these courses (e.g., a first-year English course) from your studies at Dalhousie, you will need to arrange for a high school transcript to be sent to the Registrar’s Office at admissions@dal.ca (if not already on file).  You do not need to provide your Dalhousie grades.
  • Please note that some majors require that pre-requisite courses be completed with a minimum grade before a student can declare the major.

Letter of activities

  • If you have been out of study for one calendar year or longer, you will need to provide a short Letter of Activities, outlining what you have been doing during this break in study. Send this letter to admissions@dal.ca, along with your Dal ID.

Transcripts (if necessary)

  • Be sure to include any courses or study at another post-secondary institution, even if it does not relate to your program at Dalhousie. 
  • If you have attended elsewhere, you will need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office to complete your application. You do not need to provide your Dalhousie grades.
  • You must disclose all successful or unsuccessful high school and/or university attendance on the application form and provide official transcripts for all institutions attended. See How to Submit Documents for more information.

  • When you are readmitted, you will need to submit the $200 CAD non-refundable admission deposit (in Dal Online) by the deadline outlined in your acceptance letter to hold your place.                 

  • Once you have been readmitted and paid your deposit, you can then review how your previous courses count toward the new program via your degree audit in DalOnline. 
  • If you need support, you can meet with an advisor.

Returning after academic dismissal

If you are applying to return to Dalhousie after an academic dismissal, you need to submit a new application. Before applying, review the dismissal letter and the Academic Regulations section of the Academic Calendar for details of the dismissal. Be sure to include an explanation of why your previous academic grades were lower than expected and why you believe you would be successful if re-admitted.

  • For the first dismissal, students are typically required to sit out of courses for one calendar year, however it can vary by program. 
  • If you have been dismissed for a second time, please note you may be required to sit out of the program for longer than one calendar year before you are eligible to apply to return. 
  • If you are interested in applying to another program but you were academically dismissed or have been readmitted on probation, you will need to return to your original program to increase your GPA. 
  • Applicants must meet at least the minimum GPA requirements to be eligible for admission consideration and in some cases may need a higher GPA to be competitive. You should meet with advisors from both your current faculty/department and your intended faculty/department for academic advice.

  • Start or complete your admissions application.
  • Be sure to select the appropriate application based on the program you’re applying to:
    • Use Dal Current/Returning Undergrad or Dal Current/Returning Undergrad Health, depending on the program. If you are applying to the Bachelor of Community Design program, that is a separate application. 
    • You can see what programs fall under each Application Type on the DalOnline application page. If you select the incorrect application, you won’t see the right majors. Please review the table of application types carefully before making your selection.
    • Selecting the Dal Current/ Returning Undergrad (or other necessary application) will ensure that you do not need to pay the $70 application fee nor re-submit previous transcripts.

  • Submit a letter of Poor Performance as part of your application (see How to Submit Documents for more information). This letter should outline what led to your academic dismissal, what steps you have taken to set yourself up for academic success if you are readmitted, and what you have been doing since you last attended university. Send the letter to admissions@dal.ca and include your Dal ID
  • If you have attended another post-secondary institution during your dismissal, you will need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office to complete your application. You may not be eligible for transfer credits for this work as you are expected to sit out from all post-secondary education during a dismissal.  You do not need to send your Dal grades.
  • You must disclose all successful or unsuccessful high school and/or university attendance on the application form and provide official transcripts for all institutions attended. See How to Submit Documents for more information.

  • When you are readmitted, you will need to submit the $200 CAD non-refundable admission deposit (in Dal Online) by the deadline outlined in your acceptance letter to hold your place.                 

Once you've been readmitted and have submitted the deposit, meet with an advisor to ensure you are set up for success.

Ready to apply?

You can submit your application as early as October 15 of your grade 12 year. An early offer of admission means you can get a head start on your next steps, like applying for scholarships and residence.

Start your application Learn more about how to apply