Faculty of Engineering

Policy on Special Student Registration

Due to the professional nature of its programs (which are accredited at the national level), the Faculty of Engineering allows only students admitted to one of its programs to register for engineering and computer science courses. Therefore, please note that Faculty of Engineering courses are not available to Special Students (see exceptions below).

Definition of a Special Student (Undergraduate)
Special students are students allowed by the University to register for undergraduate courses, for credit or as auditors, without seeking a degree, diploma or a certificate from the University.

Please see the general regulations for additional information regarding:

  • Special Student categories

  • Admission requirements

  • Restrictions which apply to Special Students

  • Lists of courses available to Special Students

  • Registration procedures for Special Students

  • Course changes or cancellation of registration

  • Other

    • Under the following exceptional circumstances and for reasons both valid and proven, the Faculty may grant a special student request to take an engineering course. All such requests must be justified with proper documentation.


    a) Academic upgrade for admission to graduate studies:   

  • Provide written confirmation, either from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies or from the department concerned, that an academic upgrade is necessary for admission to a graduate program.

  • Submit written confirmation, either from the research supervisor or departmental chair, that the requested course will be recognized toward the required upgrade.

    • b) Professional development:   

  • Provide official transcripts to prove prior education in the field of the requested course.

  • Submit a written request indicating why the student needs to take a specific engineering or computer science course during the given session.

  • Provide a written request from the employer or professional organization that the student take the requested course.

    • c) Academic upgrade for re-admission following a mandatory withdrawal from the Faculty of Engineering: 

  • Following a mandatory withdrawal and in order to upgrade your average for readmission in engineering, you must complete a minimum of 12 credits of university level math and science courses (ex.: anatomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, mathematics, physics, etc.).  Courses in social sciences, health sciences, arts, management, etc. are not deemed acceptable for upgrading purposes for engineering.

  • Upgrading courses must be of an equal or higher level than those already successfully completed.

  • In order to register to your courses, we strongly encourage you to obtain the “Special Student Analysis” form at the Faculty of Engineering. This analysis will be beneficial to you as it will help you in the selection of your courses. To obtain this analysis, you may either schedule an appointment with one of our academic assistants by contacting the Faculty of Engineering’s Undergraduate Office at 613-562-5918 (toll free 1-877-868-8292 ext. 5918) or submit your request for an analysis by completing the Form. You may return the completed form by fax at 613-562-5187 or bring it in person to SITE Hall (800 King-Edward Ave), room 1020.

    • d) Other (Transfer of credits, Carleton University Exchange, etc.):   

  • It is a student’s responsibility to show the need for the course requested, as well as to provide supporting documents.

    • N.B.: In every case, it is necessary to have successfully completed all the prerequisite courses, as indicated in the course description.  Please note that meeting these criteria does not guarantee that permission to take a course as a Special Student will be granted. Every request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In addition, successful completion of the course does not guarantee admission to the Faculty of Engineering.

    Where to register?

  • As of December 12, 2011, students who wish to register to Faculty of Science courses as Special Students for upgrading purposes must do so at InfoService, University of Ottawa, Tabaret Hall, 75 Laurier Avenue East (1st floor).

  • Students who wish to register to Faculty of Engineering courses as Special Students for transfer of credits, upgrading, professional certification or Carleton University Exchange, must present themselves at the Undergraduate Office, Faculty of Engineering, SITE Hall, 800 King Edward Ave., room 1020.

    • BE READY: Steps to follow in order to accelerate your registration

  • Prepare a list of courses to which you wish to register - the course code and section must be included (each section corresponds to a specific schedule);

  • Check the course timetable to prevent course conflicts;

  • Ensure that you have completed or are currently completing the prerequisite course(s);

  • Complete and sign the appropriate form Registration (Special Students);

  • Have all pertinent documents with you (“Special Student Analysis”, official transcript, letter of permission, etc.);

  • Register at the appropriate location, depending on your Special Student status (see above”Where to register”);

  • Pay the required fees. Access your e-bill and your online statement of account through the uoZone portal.

    • Additional resources

  • Winter 2012 Faculty of Science courses available to Special Students. Please note that these courses have limited places for Special Students and your request may be refused.

  • Download the online form (PDF)

  • More information on payment of Tuition Fees and Other Fees

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