Q: What is Open Studies?

A: Enrolling in Open Studies allows you to take UCalgary courses without being in a degree program, later, credit from these classes can used if a student transfers into a degree program. Open Studies applications are open to degree holders and non-degree holders. Degree holders can take up to six three-unit courses per term and non-degree holders can take up to four three-unit courses per term to a maximum of twelve three-unit courses

Q: Who should I ask for advice about long-term academic plans?

A: While Open Studies is great for getting to try learning about a wide range of topics to see what you're passionate about, we recommend Open-Studies students stay ahead by speaking with advisors in the Student Success Center (SSC) throughout their time in the program to discuss transferring to a degree program.

Q: What is the main faculty for Open Studies students?

A: The home-faculty for Open Studies students is the Registrar's Office, and Enrolment Services is the main point of contact for any questions regarding Open Studies Academic Regulations

Q: How many courses can I take in Open Studies?

A: Open Studies Students can take a maximum of 36 units overall (about 12 classes, or 2 years of full time coursework)
Open Studies students who don’t hold a degree can take up to 12 units (4 courses) per term for the fall and winter terms, and up to 6 units (2 courses) per term for the spring and summer terms
Open Studies degree-holding students can take up to 18 units (6 courses) per term for the fall and winter terms, and up to 9 units (3 courses) per term for the spring and summer terms

Q: Are the deadlines different or the same as undergraduate programs?

A: Open Studies has different deadlines during the application process from regular undergrad admissions, be sure to review when deadlines are here
After you're admitted, find out when you can start registering for courses by checking your open enrolment date, we encourage you to register as early as your enrolment start time allows, but you can register for courses up until the last day you're allowed to add courses for the term.

Q: Do I need permission to enroll in courses? How do I get permission?

A: Because many courses have pre-requisites for registration Open Studies students often need to receive permission to enter them

If you submitted your high school transcripts with your application, you should be able to register in courses with high school course prerequisites (meaning, you won’t need permission from the department or faculty offering the course)

If you didn’t submit your high school transcript with your application, email your transcripts and your UCID number to the Admissions Office (transcripts@ucalgary.ca) and request your high school courses be posted to your Open Studies file. You should then be able to register without needing permission
If you completed post-secondary courses at another institution, you may be able to use those courses to satisfy a post-secondary prerequisite or in lieu of high school courses. Contact the faculty of the course your are trying to take to get permission to enroll. Once you have permission to register in a course with prerequisites, you’ll be able to register through your Student Centre

If you want to register in a graduate-level course, here are the steps you'll need to take:

After you've been admitted, the Service Requests Page becomes available on your Student Centre
Under the Enrolment Services Request Category, and the my registration category, read the instructions and fill out the Request Cross Career Exception form
As per the instructions, to register you’ll need to get approval from the department that offers the course you want to take.