Transcript key

Find important and historical details about transcripts for every Dalhousie faculty as well as integrated colleges and institutions.

To learn about grading scales, refer to the academic calendars for further information.

Degree granting authority
Institutional mergers and partnerships
Academic standing
Grading options
Transcript notations
Historical grading information

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

Nova Scotia Agricultural College

The Faculty of Agriculture was established in 1905 as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and merged with Dalhousie University in 2012.

Two students in a green field working on a tractor.

Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS)

The Faculties Architecture & Planning, Engineering, and Computer Science were established in 1907 as TUNS and merged with Dalhousie University in 1997.

Ralph M. Medjuck building on the Sexton campus in Halifax

University of King's College

Founded in 1789, the University of King's College is an affiliated institution. Its students in the Faculties of Arts & Social Sciences, and Science receive Dalhousie degrees in the name of both institutions.

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.

Current approved notations

"Completed the Health Innovation Challenge in DATE TBD": Denotes completion of Pulse's Health Innovation Challenge with Dalhousie's Health Innovation Sandbox.

Historical grading information

Grades

A+, A, A-

Merit points

B+, B, B-

C+, C, C-

D, FS (until 1971), FM (since 1971), F

Grades

Distinction

Percentages

80-100

Class II

65-79

Class III

50-64

Pass

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

FS (until 1971)

FM (since 1971)

Fail

In-progress

Grades

A+, A, A-

Merit points

B+, B, B-

FM, F

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

80-84

B+

75-79

70-74

C+

65-69

60-64

D+

55-59

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

Percentage

80-100

70-79

60-69

50-59

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

Percentage

80-100

70-79

60-69

40-59

0-39

School of Planning (1996 & 1997)

Grades

Percentage

80-100

70-79

60-69

0-59

Transcript key last updated March 2023.

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Transcript key

Contents

Degree granting authority