What can I study?

Course Descriptions

The University Calendar is a compilation of courses taught at UCalgary, listed alphabetically by subject. This is a good place to start your search! However, keep in mind that this list contains all courses that have ever been taught. It does not show whether a course will be offered in your exchange semester.

Class Search

The Class Search is a tool to find courses taught in specific semesters. It also shows whether courses are open for registration or if they are full. (If your exchange semester is not yet available, we recommend searching for the most recent Fall or Winter semester. Make sure to un-check the box that says "show open classes only", as otherwise no results will appear!) After your exchange application is accepted, you will have access to register in courses through the Class Search.

Course Length

Most courses have 3 lecture hours per week. Some have extra components, such as labs or tutorials, for an extra hour per week. Attendance at lectures and labs is usually mandatory while tutorial attendance is sometimes mandatory; you will learn the attendance expectations in your first class. Students generally spend 2 hours studying or preparing coursework for each hour spent in class. If English is not your first language, you may need to spend more time preparing.

Course Format

Courses at UCalgary run for the entire semester length. Most courses have regular quizzes and individual or group assignments throughout the semester. Most courses also have one or more midterm exam in the semester, and a final paper or exam at the end of the semester. This may be more work during the semester than you are used to at your home university! Many exchange students find it valuable to join study groups and use academic supports, such as the Student Success Centre.

Fall and Winter Semester

UCalgary has 2 semesters that exchange students can attend: Fall (September to December) and Winter (January to April). Each semester lasts approximately 13 weeks. Fall exchange students are expected to arrive on September 1, and Winter exchange students on January 1, in order to move in to campus residence and attend orientation before classes begin.

Final Exams

The final exam period is the last two weeks of semester. (Not all courses have exams; you may be evaluated by a final paper or project. Your professor will explain this on the first day of class.)  As UCalgary does not consider travel plans a valid reason to miss a final exam, we advise that you do not plan to travel home early. It is best to book your return flight after the last date of the exam period, which is listed in the University Calendar.

GPA and Letter Grades

UCalgary uses a 4-point scale to calculate a student's Grade Point Average (GPA). Most professors assign a percentage mark or a letter grade (A, A-, B+, etc.) which is converted into a GPA on your transcript. You can find the undergraduate grading system here and the graduate grading system here.

Transfer Credit

For information about how UCalgary course credit will transfer back to your home university studies, please speak to your home university exchange advisor. UCalgary does not determine how courses transfer to other universities; every university is responsible for having its own credit transfer system.

Unofficial Transcript

You will be able to download an unofficial statement of grades through your UCalgary Student Centre. This may be sufficient for your personal records.

Official Transcript

You will be able to request your official transcript through your UCalgary Student Centre. This will be required by your home university in order to transfer credit from your exchange studies back to your degree.