Modifying course load and enrolment

Students can withdraw from an academic term by completing and submitting a Undergraduate Notice of Withdrawal Form to the First Year Engineering Office. A withdrawal is subject to the following deadlines published in the Calendar of Events and Academic Deadlines section of the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar:

• 100% Tuition Refund Deadline
• Drop, No Penalty Period - courses are cleared from term
• 50% Tuition Refund Deadline
• Drop, Penalty 1 Period* - WD grades are issued (Withdrew, no grade implied)
• Drop, Penalty 2 Period - WF grades are issued (Withdrew/Failure, 32 grade implied)

*Drop, Penalty 1 Period is extended to the day before the final exam period for the 1A Engineering Term.

Students planning on voluntary withdrawal should contact the First Year Engineering Office to discuss their situation, especially when extenuating circumstances are present.

Students can take one year off from their studies by submitting a Undergraduate Notice of Withdrawal Form and a letter of explanation, which states the activities planned for the time off.

Engineering students must maintain the full course load specified for their plan and term level, which normalizes the course load for all students. Students cannot normally drop courses to reduce their course load. The exemptions are:

• Extra courses (above the full course load and excluding work-term reports) can be dropped.
• An approved reduced-course load supported by AccessAbility Services and the First Year Engineering Office, allows a student to drop courses. However, the promotion rules and/or the number of semesters required to complete the specific term level may be modified.
• Students who intend to leave the Faculty of Engineering may be able to change to a non-degree term status and drop courses not applicable to their future program. This means that the student is not permitted to continue to the next academic term in engineering, regardless of the term performance.
• The elective reduced load, allows 1B students to drop one elective course with the approval of their academic advisor. However, the promotion rules for that specific term will be modified.

Students in 1B Biomedical, Chemical, Mechanical, and Systems Design Engineering are required to and responsible for adding an elective. If a student neglects to add an elective or drops the elective, they are deemed to have an unapproved reduced load. The Examinations and Promotions Committee would then assign the appropriate term decision (e.g., Required to Withdraw, Required to Repeat Term). The exception to this rule is the elective reduced load, which allows 1B students to drop one elective course with the approval of their academic advisor. However, the promotion rules for that specific term will be modified.

Yes, 1A students are allowed to withdraw (drop their courses) up to the start of the Fall Final Exam Period. Each course grade would be "WD" which means withdrawn with no mark penalty. It is very important to note, that students who withdraw late in the term are committed to leaving the Faculty of Engineering unless there are extenuating circumstances. WD grades are usually more desirable than poor 1A grades, and may allow students to gain admission into another program based on their high school marks. Keep in mind that you will have to explain the WD grades to the other institution.

Yes, the interested student would submit a Undergraduate Notice of Withdrawal Form, a letter requesting a deferral and their interim plans, and an email should be forwarded to the Registrar's Office. Read more about Deferring an offer of admission.