Registering for courses

image of an open notebook and calculator

On this page, you'll find information for new and returning undergraduate students:

the phases of course registration explained
the timing
tools and resources to help you pick your courses
the system you'll use

The phases of course registration

Course registration occurs in two phases:

Course Selection PeriodThe creation of a wish list of courses you want to take during the next academic term.

Visit Course Selection Period for specifics.

Drop/Add PeriodThe time to modify your class schedule or add classes if you missed the Course Selection Period.

Visit Drop/Add Period for specifics.

Timing

Normally, class registration periods occur in the following months (see Important Dates, filter for Type = Class registration, for exact dates):

Academic Term	Course Selection Period	Drop/Add Period
Fall	Returning students: Late May New students (if needed): Arts and Math (mid-June) All others (early July)	Begins mid-July
Winter	Begins late September	Begins mid-November
Spring	Begins late January	Begins late-March

Once the academic term begins, you will have the first two weeks of classes to add new classes, and the first three weeks to drop classes with 100% refund (if applicable).

Planning tools

There are three primary tools you'll want to get familar with - learn more about them below:

Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar
Course Selection Offerings List (during the Course Selection Period)
Schedule of Classes (during the Drop/Add Period)

Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar

In the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar, you'll find the academic requirements for your program (degree) and plan(s) (major, minor, etc.) that you need to complete in order to graduate

You'll also find an updated list of all course descriptions in the most recently published version. You can quickly find the subject and desired course level (e.g., BIOL 200-level courses).

Course Selection Offerings List

The Course Selection Offerings List, normally available one week prior to the Course Selection Period, is used during the Course Selection Period and gives you a look into what courses are offered in the next term. It does not include class offering information (e.g., time, day, place, instructor) as that information is not yet available.

Schedule of Classes

The Schedule of Classes provides you with all of the class offering information, including courses available per term, number of sections offered, enrolment capacity, time and place of the class, and the instructor. Learn how to understand the Schedule of Classes.

The system

Quest (Waterloo's student information system) is used to self-register for courses; for some majors, academic advisors may automatically add courses to your schedule.