Course Selection

At UVic, students must select courses and register for them online well before the start of term. Familiarize yourself with the basics of course selections below and start thinking about what you need to do in preparation for your registration date.

TIP: Universities use a language that is sometimes difficult to interpret. When you find words and terminology you do not understand, refer to the University Vocabulary webpage for definitions.

The academic year

At UVic, the academic year is divided into a winter session (two terms) and a summer session. Courses that last for one term normally have a value of 1.5 units. Courses that span two terms normally have a valud of 3.0 units. Some courses may have a lab or tutorial component with no additional unit value.

• The eight month winter session is from September to April and is divided into a fall term from September to December and a spring term from January to April.

• Registration for courses offered during both terms in the winter session begins in June.

• The four month summer session is from May to August. During this session, UVic offers a four month term as well as condensed, shorter terms with various start and end dates.

• Registration for courses offered during the summer session begins in March.

Registering for courses

You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of your registration and for ensuring that the courses you select match all program requirements and university regulations as outlined in the UVic Calendar. All students are encouraged to register for classes as soon as they are eligible. Most courses fill quickly so students who register after their assigned registration date will have fewer course options.

Visit the Registration 101 webpage for help with paying your acceptance deposit, selecting your courses and registering online. Students who need further assistance with registering online can phone the registration helpline at 250-721-8142 or email reghelp@uvic.ca.

Course load

In general, international students with a study permit should maintain full-time status at their institution.

Undergraduate students: For each winter session term, undergraduate students should be registered in courses totaling a minimum of 6.0 units or in a co-operative education work term. Undergraduate students who do not register in courses during the summer session, or who register in fewer than 6.0 units, maintain their overall full-time status at UVic.

Graduate students: For each term, graduate students must be registered in courses totaling a minimum of 3.0 or 4.5 units (depending on the program) or in a dissertation, thesis, project or co-operative education work term. Graduate students must maintain continuous full-time registration.

Exchange students: Your UVic exchange advisor will provide you with registration instructions and information about recommended course loads.

Undergraduate English requirement

Visit the Undergraduate English Requirement webpage to verify whether or not you must write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test for placement in an English course. A list of test dates and locations is available on the Language Proficiency Index webpage.