Clearing 1A and 1B failed courses

The term "clearing" means that the approved replacement course is taken and passed and then the original course is removed from the accumulative failure course count. For more information see Averages and Academic Standings in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar.

*These courses are available through either the Centre for Extended Learning (online) at the University of Waterloo.

^These courses are available through another university. A Letter of Permission Form must be submitted and approved for courses being cleared at another university. The application deadline for Athabasca University is the tenth of the month in order to start the following month.

Students may seek approval for clearing courses not listed by providing the First-Year Engineering Office with a detailed course description of the course you wish to take from another university.

Glossary of acronyms used on this page for UWaterloo courses:

Updated: April 16, 2025

Passing a supplemental (supp.) applies only to students who have been awarded a supplemental for core engineering courses (i.e., doesn't apply to electives in other Faculties). The First-Year Office awards a supplemental for courses whose grades were between 40 and 49 inclusive in a passed term. Not all courses have a supplemental available. 

• Students approved for a supplemental will receive registration information via email approximately a month after the end of term. The code SUPA shows to the right of your grade on your unofficial transcript on Quest after term standings are released. 
• Consult with your academic advisor in the First-Year Office as soon as possible after receiving supplemental exam approval for clarification of all expectations and to determine the next opportunity to write a supplemental exam.
• An administrative fee is required to pursue the supplemental exam process. Once a student has paid the supplemental exam fee, they will be added to Learn enabling access to course materials for exam preparation.
• A supplemental can usually be satisfied by writing the final exam during a subsequent term in which the failed course is offered. In this case, the exam will be written as scheduled during the final exam period. If a final exam is deemed inadequate to satisfy the supplemental requirement, the midterm and/or other assessment(s) may also be required. Check with your academic advisor for further information about supplemental requirements.
• A supplemental can only be completed for the same course, not an equivalent course.
• Passing the supplemental exam earns a credit in the course and clears the failure. The supplemental grade does not appear on your transcript, and the original grade is not changed (the code SUPA changes to SUPS).
• Failing the supplemental exam, or not writing by the expiry date, will require you to retake the course or an approved equivalent.
• If you cannot write a supplemental exam, you must submit documentation to the absence database for approval.
• Only one attempt at a supplemental exam is permitted. A failed supplemental exam is considered an unsuccessful attempt to clear the course.