University Transfer Basics

Northwestern Polytechnic university transfer programs are the first steps to degree completion. Our transfer programs provide the opportunity to begin university studies with the advantage of highly qualified faculty, low student-instructor ratio, a friendly supportive environment and affordable tuition fees.

What is a university transfer program?

University transfer programs are special programs offered at colleges in Alberta. A university transfer program allows students to begin university studies at Northwestern Polytechnic and then transfer to a university or a private university college to complete the degree.

Northwestern Polytechnic offers one to two years of university transfer course work toward a variety of degree programs. Many students in our university transfer programs complete their programs at degree-granting institutions within Alberta. Others transfer successfully to degree-granting institutions elsewhere in Canada.

How do I know which Northwestern Polytechnic courses will transfer?

Northwestern Polytechnic courses with approved transfer arrangements are identified in the Course Description section of the calendar. “UT” denotes that the course transfers to at least one degree granting institution in the province. Although we strive to provide up-to-date and accurate information in our Calendar, the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT) is the final authority on transfer of courses. Students are ultimately responsible for checking the ACAT website for course transferability. The Alberta Transfer Guide lists specific details on approved course and program transfer agreements that Northwestern Polytechnic has with post-secondary institutions in Alberta.

The information in the Transfer Guide changes annually with additions, deletions and amendments. Students should consult the edition of the Transfer Guide that corresponds to the academic year in which they plan to take or completed the course. The Alberta Transfer Guide is accessible at www.transferalberta.ca. If students have questions about transfer agreements, they should contact the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT) using the contact information provided on their website.

Will I get the credit noted in the Transfer Guide?

Yes. If the university course listed as “equivalent” to the Northwestern Polytechnic course is appropriate to the degree program to which a student plans to apply, they will be guaranteed the transfer credit shown in the Guide. However, if the student changes to an unrelated program there may not be room in their new program for all previously completed courses. In addition, some universities specify a minimum grade for transfer credit. This information can be found in university calendars. To ensure full transferability to a specific university degree program, the course work completed must meet the stated program requirements of the university program to which students plan to apply.

Am I guaranteed university admission?

Completion of university transfer courses does not guarantee admission to programs at degree-granting institutions. Admission to degree programs is normally competitive and there may be limitations (quotas) on the number of students admitted to the degree program.

What university transfer courses should I take?

The Calendar provides advice on courses students should consider for their university transfer program. The University Transfer section of the Calendar is, primarily, designed around the University of Alberta (U of A). If the U of A is the transfer destination, students use the Northwestern Polytechnic calendar, the Alberta Transfer Guide, and the current U of A calendar/website to plan their program and to verify transferability. If a student is planning on attending a different institution, they can use the Alberta Transfer Guide and the chosen transfer institutions calendar/website to plan their program and verify transferability. It is always recommended to consult with an Academic Advisor to help navigate this process.

The current calendar from the degree-granting institution a student ultimately wants to attend will provide specific information on admission, program and graduation requirements. As students review the university’s calendar they should seek answers to the following questions:

• What courses are required?
• How many and what kinds of electives (options) are permitted?
• What courses are needed to meet the major requirements?
• How many junior courses can be taken for credit?
• How many courses (credits) can be transferred into the program?
• Will grades in university transfer courses be counted for promotion, probation, and graduation, or only for purposes of admission to the university?

Students will want to understand their program and the transfer guidelines. To successfully transfer, students are required to meet the admission and course requirements set out by the receiving institution. Their courses must be transferable, and must fit their program, and their academic standing must at least meet the minimum required by the institution. If the student is considering more than one institution, they should choose their courses wisely to ensure they meet program requirements for all institutions being contemplated. Students may not be able to gain admission to their first choice but they will have kept their options open.

Degree program requirements change from time to time so students should make sure they are using the most recent edition of the Northwestern Polytechnic calendar and the calendar from the degree-granting institution.

Who should I ask if I have questions?

If students have questions and wish to discuss their program or course selection, they are encouraged to consult with an Academic Advisor. If they are admitted to a university transfer program at Northwestern Polytechnic, they may consult with an advisor in the Registrar's Office or a certified Faculty Advisor. While the majority of university transfer programs at Northwestern Polytechnic are modeled on University of Alberta programs, students can successfully apply to transfer to degree-granting institutions elsewhere. If students are considering an out-of-province institution, they are welcome to discuss their plans and course choices with an Advisor.

Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer

For more information of Alberta Council on Admission and Transfer, please refer to www.transferalberta.ca

Northwestern Polytechnic is a member of the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT), an independent body that coordinates all activities related to post-secondary transfer within the province of Alberta. Transfer enables students to move from one post-secondary institution to another and receive credit for prior study. Northwestern Polytechnic has formal course and program transfer arrangements with the post-secondary institutions in Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

ACAT prepares the Alberta Transfer Guide that outlines all the course and program transfer agreements in effect between post-secondary institutions in Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Students wishing to transfer from Northwestern Polytechnic to another institution in the province should refer to the Guide and other transfer information available online. They can also contact the ACAT office directly.

Formal Transfer Arrangements

A number of the university transfer programs make reference to “junior” and “senior” courses. At the University of Alberta, for example, courses numbered from 100-199 are considered basic undergraduate or “junior” courses and normally have no university-level prerequisites. At the U of A, courses numbered 200 and above are considered “senior” courses. U of A courses numbered 200-299 may have 100-level prerequisites and are typically designed for students in the second year of a program. Courses numbered 300-399 may have 200-level prerequisites and are typically designed for students in the third year of a program. Course numbering and sequencing will vary, depending on the transfer institution and program structure at that institution.

If students are trying to determine the “junior” or “senior” level of their course selection, they should refer to the Alberta Transfer Guide and to the calendar of the university to which they intend to transfer.