Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Arts faculty and staff resources
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
It is in your best interest to contact your academic advisor on a regular basis to discuss your academic standing.
The official grading system is described in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar. A transcript legend is also provided on the Registrar's Office website, which includes numeric grades, non-numeric grades, and requirement designation definitions.
Other grades that may be assigned include:
INC (Incomplete) - reflects an agreement between a professor and student to hand in work late; no numeric value. Please refer to the INC grade process for further information.
FTC (Failure to Complete) - calculated in averages as 32%
NMR (No Mark Recorded) - no work submitted for the course, calculated in averages as 32%
DNW (Did Not Write) - missed the final exam (calculated in averages as 32%)
MM (Missing Mark) - grade has not been received by the Registrar's Office, no numeric value
WD (Withdrew) - no numeric value
WF (Withdrew too late, Failed) - calculated in averages as 32%
Academic Standing Decisions are made at the end of every term in which you complete courses, even if you only take one course. You'll find these decisions on your unofficial transcript once grades are official (usually three weeks into the following term).
Your Academic Standing is the "word" equivalent of your average(s). Excellent, Good, Satisfactory are the standing decisions that mean you are meeting your academic plan requirements The averages used in standing decisions are cumulative. The averages you need to maintain are determined by the specific requirements of your official academic plan. Don't guess. Check the calendar or consult with your academic advisor to be certain.
Your faculty or "Arts average" (all Arts courses ever taken) MUST equal 65% or higher. Your Arts average is the most important average when determining your standing decision.
Cumulative average (Arts + non-Arts courses) MUST equal 60% or higher.
Grades in courses taught by other faculties (see faculty owner under course description index) are factored into your overall GPA only:
Important: A cumulative of 60% is not adequate if your ARTS average is below 65%
Major average: if you're registered in a major plan (or hope to be admitted to a major plan), the average of the courses that are required of your major must equal:
Review specific plan average information in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Arts and Business students (Co-op or Regular) require the following:
Minor average: if you wish to complete a minor, the average of all courses completed that are applicable to that minor must equal 65%. The only exception is the HRM minor, which requires a 70% average.
See the Undergraduate Calendar for program information, and the plan section for major requirements.
Contain the words “Conditional/Must Raise...” or “Unsatisfactory” or “Failed." Meet with your advisor to discuss your options.
Any of the standing decisions below will automatically change your degree program. Meet with an advisor as soon as you can.
Impact your ability to continue your studies. You must meet with an advisor.
Students may qualify to enroll in the Foundation Term after a Failed standing decision in level 1A or 1B and at least one term absence from studies. To participate in the Foundation Term, students must sign and submit several forms for consideration by the deadline.
Dean of Arts Office:
PAS building, room 2401
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 48246
Arts Undergraduate Office:
PAS building, room 2439
Tel 519 888-4567 ext. 45870
Arts faculty and staff resources
Arts computing support for students, faculty, and staff
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.