You may not receive credit toward your BA degree for more than one course that covers substantially the same content.
Course overlap may occur between:
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McGill courses
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Transfer credits from another university
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Advanced standing exemptions awarded based on CEGEP, Advanced Placement (AP), Advanced Level (A-Level), International Baccalaureate (IB), French Baccalaureate, or similar qualifications.
Important information: Advanced standing credits are processed only after Admissions has reviewed the official final documents submitted as part of a student's admission file. This review typically takes place during the summer prior to the start of the academic year. Once processed, these exemptions will appear at the top of the student's unofficial transcript.
Understanding course overlap
If a course overlaps with another for which you have already received credit, you may not be permitted to retain credit for both courses. If you complete the overlapping course, the grade will appear on your transcript, but the course will be excluded from your CGPA and your degree credit total, as indicated by an E-flag.
The examples below describe some of the most common overlap situations encountered by BA students. They are not a complete list of all course overlaps.
Before registering for a course, also review:
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The McGill Course Catalogue
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The course listing on Minerva (read the NOTES section of the listing and click on the CRN and then the course title to see all the restrictions for a class)
Important reminder: As a student enrolled in the Faculty of Arts you are responsible for understanding the faculty regulations published in the Course Catalogue and on the McGill, Arts, and OASIS websites. While departmental and faculty advisers and staff are always available to give advice and guidance, the ultimate responsibility rests with you.
Need Help?
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Book an appointment with an Arts OASIS adviser.
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Or submit your question via the ARTS OASIS Service Desk Portal.
Common Course Overlap Scenarios
Biology
| Course: | Overlap: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 115 | BIOL 111 or BIOL 112 | BIOL 115 is intended as a general introductory Biology class for non-Science students. Students who want a more extensive background in Biology or are completing med school prerequisites may prefer to do the course sequence of BIOL 111 and BIOL 112. |
Calculus
Introductory Calculus Pathways
Students should choose the Calculus pathway that best matches their academic background and program requirements.
The sequence MATH 139 (or MATH 140) → MATH 141 → MATH 222 is equivalent to the sequence MATH 150 → MATH 151. Details on introductory Math courses can be found on the Mathematics and Statistics department website.
| Course: | Overlap: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 139 | MATH 140 | Credit may be retained for only one Calculus 1 course. MATH 139 includes a precalculus component. |
| MATH 150 | MATH 139, MATH 140, MATH 141 | Credit will only be given for ONE Calculus 1 course. |
| MATH 151 | MATH 141, MATH 222 | Credit will only be given for ONE Calculus 2 course.
Restricted to Desautels students. |
| MATH 222 | MATH 139, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 150, MATH 151 | Despite the stated overlap in the course description for MATH 122, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics may exceptionally permit students to retain credit for both MATH 122 and any of the overlapping MATH courses. |
Computer Science
| Course: | Overlap RULE: |
|---|---|
| COMP 202 and COMP 250 | Students who complete COMP 250 first, or concurrently with COMP 202, will not receive credit for COMP 202. |
Economics
| Course: | Overlap RULE: |
|---|---|
| ECON 208 and ECON 230 |
Credit may be retained for ECON 208 if completed before ECON 230. Students who complete ECON 230 first, or concurrently, will not receive credit for ECON 208. Credit may be retained for only one of these courses. |
| ECON 227 and ECON 257 | For more detailed information about the department's rules on statistics courses please see the following document: Rules on Statistics Courses for Economics Students (updated: July 2026) |
Exception: ECON 230D1/D2 and ECON 250D1/D2
Students who complete ECON 230D1/D2 and later transfer into the Honours program may retain credit for ECON 250D1/D2 with approval from an Honours adviser. In this case, the credits earned for ECON 230D1/D2 will count as elective credits rather than toward the Honours Economics program requirements. For more information on this topic, please visit the Economics Department FAQ.
Statistics
Statistics courses offered by different departments often cover similar material. As a result, many statistics courses carry overlap restrictions.
Choosing a Statistics Course
Before registering for a statistics course:
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Consider waiting until you have declared your program(s), particularly if you are a U0 student.
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Review the course description and restrictions listed below.
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If a statistics course is required for one or more of your Major, Minor, or Honours programs, please consult with a departmental adviser to identify an alternative course.
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Check to see if you have an exemption for a statistics course by reviewing the Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing website.
Group A
Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses:
Where overlap exists, students normally retain credit for the course completed first.
Group B - PSYC 204
PSYC 204 follows special overlap rules.
- Effective Fall 2025, students with a MATH 203 exemption through advanced standing (e.g. CEGEP or AP) may either:
- Take PSYC 204 and receive credit for it; or
- Proceed directly to PSYC 305 and replace the 3 credits normally associated with PSYC 204 with 3 credits at the 300 level or above in Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, or Linguistics.
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The order in which statistics courses are completed matters:
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If PSYC 204 is taken after a Group A course, credit may be retained for both courses.
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If PSYC 204 is taken before or concurrently with a Group A course, credit will be granted for only one of the courses.
Group C
Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses:
Exception: Students may receive credit for both PSYC 305 and either ECON 227D1/D2 or ECON 257D1/D2.
Credit depends on the order in which the courses are completed.
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Students who complete MATH 324 or MATH 357 before any of the statistics courses listed in Groups A, B or C will not receive credit for those courses.
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Students who complete a Group A, B or C statistics course before MATH 324 or MATH 357 may retain credit for both.
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Concurrent registration in MATH 324 or MATH 357 and a Group A, B or C statistics course is permitted for credit.