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

Write and pass a supplemental (supp.) in the failed course. This option 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. 

• The code SUPA shows to the right of your grade on your unofficial transcript on Quest after the official fully-graded date. The Registrar's Office sends supplementary exam registration forms via email approximately a month after the end of term to students approved for a supplemental. Consult the Schedule of Classes to see when the course is next offered. Contact the First-Year Office at the start of the term you want to write the supplemental to confirm that one is available. If available, submit the form to the First-Year office and once approved you need to submit the form to the Centre, and pay a $50 fee to register for a supplemental.
  • NOTE: The supplemental exam fee will change to $175, effective September 1, 2025.
• A supplemental can usually be satisfied by writing the final exam during a subsequent term in which the failed course is offered. The exam will be written with the class taking the course 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. If other assessments are required, appropriate times will be arranged with the course instructor. A supplemental can only be completed for the same course, not an equivalent course. Only one attempt at writing a supplemental exam is permitted.
• Passing the supplementary exam (50% or greater) earns a credit in the course and clears the failure. Note that supplemental grade does not appear on your transcript, and the original grade is not changed (the code SUPA should change to SUPS). Failing the supplementary exam means that options 1 and 2 above must be used to clear the course (SUPA changes to SUPN).
• Please note: The conditions of the supplemental exam include an expiry date on the supplemental exam registration form. Failure to meet the deadline will result in you forfeiting the right to a supplemental exam. In that case, you must retake the course or an equivalent.