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Dalhousie is authorized to grant post-secondary credentials by the Government of Nova Scotia.

Dalhousie is subject to academic quality assurance measures (approval of programs prior to implementation; approval of modifications to existing programs and ongoing quality assurance of our internal policies and framework) through the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, which is accountable to the Government of Nova Scotia and the other Maritime provinces. Individual programs may also be accredited by independent professional bodies, either as a requirement for entry to licensed professions or as an optional quality indicator.

Dalhousie's Educational Institution Registration Number: 0112004000.

Nova Scotia Agricultural College - The Faculty of Agriculture was established in 1905 as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and merged with Dalhousie University in 2012.

Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS) - The Faculties Architecture & Planning, Engineering, and Computer Science were established in 1907 as TUNS and merged with Dalhousie University in 1997. 

University of King's College - Founded in 1789, the University of King's College is an affiliated institution. Its students in the Faculties of Arts & Social Sciences, and Science receive Dalhousie degrees in the name of both institutions.  

Academic standing is typically assessed at the end of each term. There are three types of academic standing at Dalhousie: Good Standing, Probation, and Academically Dismissed.

GPA requirements for academic standing and academic dismissal lengths vary by program. 

 For faculty-specific information regarding academic standing, please see the academic calendars for more information.

The following grades are GPA-Neutral grades and were available to students who were prevented from academically performing to the best of their ability:

• PASS - Students receiving a passing letter grade could opt for a final grade of “PASS”. This grade is GPA-neutral, and the student receives credit for the course.
• ILL - Students receiving a failing letter grade could opt for a final grade of “ILL”. This grade was used for compassionate reasons. This is GPA-neutral, but the student does not receive credit for the course.
• Pending – For students who were unable to complete courses remotely, but intended to do so later, a grade of “PENDING” was assigned until the course could be completed and graded. Pending grades are not considered final grades.
• Credit/No Credit: For students experiencing exceptional extenuating circumstances when other solutions (such as retroactive withdrawal) are not appropriate. To be considered an extenuating circumstance, the situation must be unforeseen or unpredictable, and result in a significant personal crisis for the student, demonstrably impacting their academic performance. For more information, click here. 

Winter Term 2020: Due to the disruption of the academic term caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, PASS/ILL grading was available to all students in all faculties. No median grades were calculated in this academic term and a notation was added to the academic record.

Summer Term 2020: In response to the continuing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, PASS/ILL grading was approved to be available retroactively to students in the Faculties of Agriculture (excluding the Veterinary Technology program), Architecture and Planning, Arts and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Graduate Studies, Management and Science. Median grades were calculated for this academic term, as PASS/ILL grading was only available after the term was complete.

Fall Term 2020 and Winter Term 2021: PASS/ILL grading was approved to be available to students in the Faculties of Agriculture, Architecture and Planning, Arts and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Graduate Studies, Management and Science. Students in the Faculties of Dentistry, Law and Medicine were not eligible for PASS/ILL grading. Students in the Faculty of Engineering were only eligible for the ILL grading options. Median Grades were not calculated for these academic terms.

Summer Term 2021: PASS/ILL grading was available retroactively in the Faculties of Management, Agriculture and Architecture and Planning. Median Grades were calculated for this academic term as PASS/ILL grading was only available after the term was complete.

Notations approved by the Registrar's Office may be added to the transcript to denote completion of an academic opportunity.

Current approved notations:

• "Completed the Health Innovation Challenge in DATE TBD": Denotes completion of Pulse's Health Innovation Challenge with Dalhousie's Health Innovation Sandbox. 

An average of 55% is required in all of the final examinations of the first year, and a similar overall avergae of 60% in the second, third, and fourth years.

Prior to Sep 1992:

*Effective September 1988, only 10% of the class is awarded distinction in each class.

Sep 1992 - Aug 1999:

Years I & II         Pass or Fail
Years III & IV      Distinction, Pass, Fail (Distinctions are not permitted in elective and free general courses)

Schulich School of Law
(Sep 1993 - Aug 2005)

Schulich School of Law Grade Distribution (Prior to 2008)

A student must attain a grade of D (prior to 1993, E) or better in each class to complete the work of a year except where he/she has failed only one course with a mark of at least 40% and has an overall weighted average on the year's work of 60%. A student must also attain a weighted average of 55% to complete the work in any year. Prior to Sept 1989, an overall cumulative average of 55% was required to complete the work in any year.

Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Computer Science (Prior to 1998)

Passing grade for Master's Level = 60
Passing grade for PhD Level = 70

Faculty of Architecture (Prior to 1998) & Planning (Prior to 1996)

School of Planning (1996 & 1997)