Degree granting authority
Dalhousie is authorized to grant post-secondary credentials by the Government of Nova Scotia.
Dalhousie is subject to academic quality assurance measures (approval of programs prior to implementation; approval of modifications to existing programs and ongoing quality assurance of our internal policies and framework) through the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, which is accountable to the Government of Nova Scotia and the other Maritime provinces. Individual programs may also be accredited by independent professional bodies, either as a requirement for entry to licensed professions or as an optional quality indicator.
Dalhousie's Educational Institution Registration Number: 0112004000.
Institutional mergers and partnerships
Academic standing
There are three types of academic standing at Dalhousie:
- Good standing
- Probation
- Academically dismissed
Academic standing is typically assessed at the end of each term. GPA requirements for academic standing and academic dismissal lengths vary by program.
For faculty-specific information regarding academic standing, please see the academic calendars for more information.
Grading options
The following grades are GPA-neutral grades and were available to students who were prevented from academically performing to the best of their ability:
- PASS: Students receiving a passing letter grade could opt for a final grade of “PASS”. This grade is GPA-neutral, and the student receives credit for the course.
- ILL: Students receiving a failing letter grade could opt for a final grade of “ILL”. This grade was used for compassionate reasons. This is GPA-neutral, but the student does not receive credit for the course.
- PENDING: For students who were unable to complete courses remotely, but intended to do so later, a grade of “PENDING” was assigned until the course could be completed and graded. Pending grades are not considered final grades.
- Credit/No Credit: For students experiencing exceptional extenuating circumstances when other solutions (such as retroactive withdrawal) are not appropriate. To be considered an extenuating circumstance, the situation must be unforeseen or unpredictable, and result in a significant personal crisis for the student, demonstrably impacting their academic performance. Learn more about credit/no credit.
Winter Term 2020: Due to the disruption of the academic term caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, PASS/ILL grading was available to all students in all faculties. No median grades were calculated in this academic term and a notation was added to the academic record.
Summer Term 2020: In response to the continuing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, PASS/ILL grading was approved to be available retroactively to students in the Faculties of Agriculture (excluding the Veterinary Technology program), Architecture and Planning, Arts and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Graduate Studies, Management and Science. Median grades were calculated for this academic term, as PASS/ILL grading was only available after the term was complete.
Fall Term 2020 and Winter Term 2021: PASS/ILL grading was approved to be available to students in the Faculties of Agriculture, Architecture and Planning, Arts and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Graduate Studies, Management and Science. Students in the Faculties of Dentistry, Law and Medicine were not eligible for PASS/ILL grading. Students in the Faculty of Engineering were only eligible for the ILL grading options. Median Grades were not calculated for these academic terms.
Summer Term 2021: PASS/ILL grading was available retroactively in the Faculties of Management, Agriculture and Architecture and Planning. Median Grades were calculated for this academic term as PASS/ILL grading was only available after the term was complete.
Transcript notations
Notations approved by the Registrar's Office may be added to the transcript to denote completion of an academic opportunity.
Historical grading information
Grades
A+, A, A-
Merit points
3
B+, B, B-
2
C+, C, C-
1
D, FS (until 1971), FM (since 1971), F
0
Grades
Distinction
Percentages
80-100
Class II
65-79
Class III
50-64
Pass
50
An average of 55% is required in all of the final examinations of the first year, and a similar overall average of 60% in the second, third, and fourth years.
Grades
A+, A, A-
Pass/Fail
Pass
B+, B, B-
Pass
C+, C, C-
Fail
D
Fail
FS (until 1971)
FM (since 1971)
Fail
F
Fail
IP
In-progress
Grades
A+, A, A-
Merit points
4
B+, B, B-
3
C
2
D
1
FM, F
0
Prior to Sep 1992:
Grades
Distinction*
Percentages
80-100
*Effective September 1988, only 10% of the class is awarded distinction in each class.
Pass
60-79 (1990 onward)
55 (1958-1989)
50 (prior to 1958)
Fail
Below 60 (1990 onward)
Below 55 (1958-1989)
Below 50 (prior to 1958)
Sep 1992 - Aug 1999:
Years I & II
Pass or Fail
Years III & IV
Distinction*, Pass, Fail
*Distinctions are not permitted in elective and free general courses.
Sep 1993 - Aug 2005
Grade
A+
Percentage equivalent
85-100
A
80-84
B+
75-79
B
70-74
C+
65-69
C
60-64
D+
55-59
D
50-54
F, FM
Below 50
Schulich School of Law Grade Distribution (Prior to 2008)
A student must attain a grade of D (prior to 1993, E) or better in each class to complete the work of a year except where they have failed only one course with a mark of at least 40% and have an overall weighted average on the year's work of 60%. A student must also attain a weighted average of 55% to complete the work in any year. Prior to Sept 1989, an overall cumulative average of 55% was required to complete the work in any year.
Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Computer Science (Prior to 1998)
Grades
A
Percentage
80-100
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
50-59
F
0-49
Passing grade for Master's Level = 60
Passing grade for PhD Level = 70
Faculty of Architecture (Prior to 1998) & Planning (Prior to 1996)
Grades
A
Percentage
80-100
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
40-59
F
0-39
School of Planning (1996 & 1997)
Grades
A
Percentage
80-100
B
70-79
C
60-69
F
0-59
