Standing

Sessional Grade Point Average

The sessional grade point average is based on all courses completed in a session which have a unit value. Courses bearing the grade COM, N/X, or F/X are not included in the calculation of the grade point average.

A grade point average is found by multiplying the grade point value of each final grade by the number of units, totalling the grade points for all the grades, and dividing the total grade points by the total number of units.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average, which normally appears at the end of a transcript, is based on all courses (other than courses graded COM, N/X, or F/X) taken or challenged at the University for which grades have been assigned (including F and N).

If a student takes courses beyond a first undergraduate degree, or transfers to the JD program, a further cumulative grade point average will be calculated excluding those courses completed prior to the granting of the first degree or entry to the JD program.

Minimum Sessional Grade Point Average and Academic Standing

The following regulations apply in all faculties and all sessions, including the Summer Session.

Undergraduates must maintain a sessional grade point average of at least 2.0 (or equivalent if a UVic student takes courses elsewhere for credit towards a UVic program).

University Probationary Status

Students whose sessional grade point average is 1.00 to 1.99 (regardless of registered course load) are considered to have unsatisfactory standing and will be placed on academic probation for the next session attended. Students should note that individual faculties may require a higher sessional grade point average. Failure to achieve the faculty grade point average requirement will result in the student being placed on Faculty probation.

Undergraduate Records will notify students that they have been placed on probation through the addition of a notation to their academic record. Students on probation should contact the appropriate Advising Centre or Counselling Services for assistance, or take the Learning Skills Course or other workshops offered by Counselling Services.

Students who are on academic probation and who achieve a sessional grade point average of 2.0 or above at UVic will clear their probation status at the end of the session, except as noted below.

Students registered in less than 4.5 units in a session whose grade point average is less than 1.0 (or equivalent if a UVic student takes courses elsewhere for credit towards a UVic program) will be placed on "Dean's" probation. The Dean of the faculty concerned will review the student's record for the next session attended rather than being required to withdraw. The student will be informed of the Dean's decision. Under these circumstances, a student who is placed on probation and who then obtains a grade point average of 2.0 or greater in the next session will not be taken off probation automatically.

Students who are on probation, or whose standing is withheld in their most recent session because of deferred status, are not eligible for reregistration until their sessional grade point average for the latest/deferred session has been determined as satisfactory, except as noted below.

If a student's projected sessional grade point average for the latest/deferred session, including a grade of 0 for all deferred courses or outstanding grades, was determined to be above the minimum by the faculty concerned, the student will be authorized to register. The projected grade point average is calculated at the end of the session when the deferred standing is assigned. The projected grade point average does not appear on a student's academic record.

Depending upon a student's performance during the period of probation, the Dean may at any time either remove the student from probation for the remainder of the session or, acting on a decision of the faculty, require that the student withdraw from the University (see Withdrawal.)

Requirement to Withdraw from the University

A student who is on academic probation, including both University and Dean's Probation, and whose Winter sessional or Summer sessional grade point average falls below 2.0 (or equivalent if a UVic student takes courses elsewhere for credit towards a UVic program) will have failed to clear their probation status. These students will be required to withdraw regardless of the registered unit total, normally for one academic year.

Students registered in 4.5 units or more in a session whose grade point average is less than 1.0 (or equivalent if a UVic student takes courses elsewhere for credit towards a UVic program) will be required to withdraw, normally for one academic year. If a student has started courses in the current session before receiving notice of unsatisfactory standing in the most recent session, registration for courses in the current session will remain on the student's record, but the student will be required to withdraw following completion of the course(s), normally for one academic year. Registration in courses that have not started by the time the required to withdraw standing is determined will be dropped automatically.

All students who have been required to withdraw must apply to reregister if they wish to resume studies at the University. Permission to reregister will normally be granted to students who have:

1. completed the required withdrawal period; and
2. since their last registration at UVic, completed a minimum of 6.0 units of transferable non-duplicate course work with a C+ (3.0) average in ALL transferable courses attempted, including currently in-progress course work. All students returning after a requirement to withdraw will be placed on probation for the next session attended.

Students who have grounds for appeal as noted under "Appealing Admission/Reregistration Decisions", may appeal to the Senate Committee on Admission, Reregistration, and Transfer, stating why they should be considered for reregistration.

A student who is permitted to reregister following a requirement to withdraw will be on academic probation for the duration of the session in which UVic studies are resumed.

A student who is required to withdraw a second time will not be permitted to register for credit courses at the University for at least five academic years.

Accumulation of Failing Grades

A “warning notice” will be issued when five failing grades are accumulated throughout a student's entire undergraduate academic record. The notice is for information only and carries no academic penalty. The notice contains information that may assist students in avoiding assignment of further failures.