Year 3 Reviews

Throughout the academic year, all B1–B2 students should document and assemble their work for the Year 3 review in April, at the end of the winter term. For details, download:

Promotion Decisions

Promotion indicates that a student is prepared for Year 4 and is likely to complete the BEDS program successfully. A passing grade must be achieved in all Year 3 courses, and evidence of humanities, technology, and representation knowledge in design work is also expected. The year-end review committee works within the following guidelines:

  • If a student has achieved a satisfactory standard in all Year 3 courses (C- or higher), the student will be promoted to Year 4. Several Year 3 students will also be selected for scholarships, based on their grades and portfolios.

  • If a student has one or more D grades, the year-end review committee will look closely at the student's record and design portfolio. D is a marginal grade that the committee may regard as either a pass or a fail, depending on the student's overall record and design portfolio. If a satisfactory standard is evident, the student will be promoted to Year 4. If not, the student must repeat a course with a D grade before being reconsidered for promotion at the end of the following winter term.

  • If a student has one or more F grades, he/she is not eligible for promotion to Year 4 and must repeat the course(s) before being reconsidered for promotion at the end of the following winter. A year-end review committee cannot change grades.

  • If a student's GPA falls below 1.70 after two or more terms, the university requires the student to withdraw from the program.

Promotion results are announced by e-mail about a week after the end of the winter term.

Interim Year

For a student who is required to repeat one or more Year 3 courses, an interim year is a time to develop one's architectural knowledge and skills. Because architecture is a new discipline for most students, and because students enter the program from different backgrounds, it takes some longer than others to develop the abilities needed to complete the BEDS program successfully. A solid foundation in Year 3 is an important step toward further architectural studies, especially for students who plan to continue into the MArch program. Before beginning an interim year, a student should seek academic advice from the director, and should assess his/her own academic strengths and career alternatives. To be considered for admission to the MArch program, a BEDS graduate must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in the entire program and also in the Design courses. For advice on Year 4 grades needed to reach these cumulative levels, check with the undergraduate coordinator.

During an interim year, a student may repeat a Year 3 course that has already been passed if he/she wishes to improve abilities in that area. Both grades will appear on the student's academic record but only the higher grade will be counted in the GPA. At the end of the interim year, another Year 3 review committee will consider the student's record. If a clear passing grade of C- or higher has been achieved in all repeated courses, the student will be promoted to Year 4. If not, the student must withdraw from the BEDS program.