For all new students on campus—U0, U1, advanced standing or not—this info is for you!

1) Understand the difference between U0 and U1

If this is your first year of university studies, you are considered a first-year student, regardless of whether you begin in U0 or U1.

U0 and U1 refer only to the amount of advanced standing you have been granted. They do not refer to course levels (e.g. there are no "U0 courses").

Advanced standing is the block of credit awarded for studies completed before entering McGill (like CEGEP, IB, A-Level, FB, etc..). It is distinct from course exemptions, which exempt you from specific McGill courses. Both advanced standing and exemptions are considered when determining whether your Foundation requirements have been met.

Credits alone do not satisfy program requirements. Even with advanced standing, you may still need to complete Foundation courses unless you have also received the relevant course exemptions.

U0
  • You will be placed in U0 if you are granted fewer than 24 credits at the time of admission. Your student record will indicate that you are in the Foundation Program.
  • Your placement may change over the summer as Enrolment Services reviews final transcripts and external examination results. For example, a student initially placed in U0 may later be updated to U1 once AP or other results are processed.
  • Students in U0 who receive some advanced standing may find that certain Foundation requirements are already met - this will depend on the credit and specific course exemptions that are awarded. In this case, you may take a mix of Foundation courses, electives, and (where appropriate) start taking courses towards your program(s) of interest. The priority remains completing any outstanding Foundation courses.
U1
  • You will be placed in U1 if you are admitted with 24 or more credits. You will be able to to declare your program(s) when registration opens.
  • Important: even with 24 or more credits of advanced standing, you may still have Foundation requirements to fulfill. Depending on your previous curriculum and the specific course exemptions granted, some or many Foundation courses may still be required.
  • If you have remaining Foundation requirements, your first year will include a combination of those courses along with other courses toward your program(s) of study.
  • To note: being placed in U1 does not necessarily mean you will complete your degree in three years. Degree completion depends not only on the total number of credits, but also on whether specific course and program requirements have been satisfied.

 

Click here for more info on advanced standing (and to determine your U0 or U1 status)

2) Plan your course selection

Bachelor of Science:

B.Sc. U0 course selection guidance

B.Sc. U1 course selection gudiance

Bachelor of Arts and Science:

B.A. & Sc. U0 course selection guidance

B.A. & Sc. U1 course selection guidance

3) Register for Fall and Winter courses

  • Not sure how many credits to take? Check out our course load link.
  • Consult our Registration page for information on using the registration system and how to handle some common registration issues.

Important note: Registration for courses is controlled by the unit (usually the Department) that offer the courses. Degree advisors cannot help you register for courses that are full or restricted, or have other issues. You must contact the department offering the course.