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Appeals and waivers

As a Dalhousie student, you might wish to request an exception to an academic rule (formally called an appeal of an academic regulation) or have one of your grades reassessed (formally called an appeal of a final grade). 

Appealing an academic regulation

These are called academic regulation waivers, and here are some common examples:

  • Back-date a drop of a course – Request to drop a course after the official deadline. (May be subject to a $50 processing fee).
  • Change from audit to credit – Requesting the course be retroactively changed from auditing the course to taking the course for credit or vice versa. Note, when changing from audit to credit, the tuition assessment will be updated to reflect the full amount of taking the course for credit.
  • Defer an academic dismissal – Requesting that your academic dismissal be deferred and allow you to continue your studies on academic probation. 
    Note: if you have been away for more than two consecutive terms, you will need to submit a new application for admission, rather than an academic waiver. 
  • Grade change – Requesting that your final grade be changed to ILL, credit (CR) or no credit (NCR) for compassionate reasons or extenuating circumstances.
  • Retroactive registration – Asking to be registered in a course(s) after the add/drop deadline.
  • Waive a faculty degree requirement – Requesting that a degree requirement for your degree (for example six hours of social sciences courses) be waived.
  • Waive language requirement – Requesting the language requirement for your degree be waived.
  • Waive writing requirement – Requesting the writing requirement for your degree be waived. 
  • Waiver of 10-year rule (for Dalhousie courses only) – Requesting that courses taken over the maximum allowable year requirement (years vary by faculty) be counted towards your degree.
  • Waiver of 10-year rule (transfer credits) - Requesting that transfer credit courses taken over the maximum allowable year requirement (years vary by faculty) be counted towards your degree.
  • Concurrent degree – Requesting permission to take two Dalhousie degrees simultaneously, e.g. a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Engineering.  
     

How to submit a waiver request

Depending on the situation, requests can be submitted via DalOnline, or by completing a form.

Dal Online

You can submit most requests through DalOnline:

  • Log in to Web for Students on DalOnline. 
  • Click apply for academic waiver.
  • Clearly explain your situation in the comments box.
  • Submit your request—it goes straight to your faculty for review.
  • Track your application status anytime in DalOnline. 

 

For step-by-step instructions, visit Dal Online help (login required)

When to use the form

Use the Application for a Waiver of an Academic Regulation [PDF – 506KB] form if:

Departmental waivers

To request a waiver of a departmental requirement, e.g. accepting/substituting/waiving a course in a Major/Minor/Certificate, consult with an advisor or coordinator in your department. If the request is approved, they will notify the Registrar’s Office, and your degree audit will be updated.

Appealing a final grade

If you have questions or concerns about a final grade, you are encouraged to discuss them with your instructor before beginning the formal appeal process.

  1. If the matter cannot be resolved informally, you can begin a formal reassessment process by filling out a Request for a reassessment of a final grade [PDF-353KB]. Make sure that you clearly identify the specific component you wish to have reassessed and the grounds for your request. 
  2. Submit your completed request form to ro.records@dal.ca.
  3. Pay the grade reassessment fee ($50). This fee is refundable if the grade is changed. 
  4. The registrar will forward your request to the dean of the Faculty or director of the unit offering the course. 
  5. The reassessment will be conducted according to the procedures developed for this purpose by the relevant unit (faculty, school, or college). While these procedures may vary depending on the unit, they should:
    •  Reflect the academic disciplines and assessment involved
    • Provide a review of the assessment by a qualified person who did not complete the original evaluation 
  6. Once the reassessment is complete, you will be notified by the Registrar's Office of the outcome. If the reassessment results in the assignment of a new grade (higher or lower), the new grade will replace the original one and the $50 fee will be refunded.

For more information about the grade reassessment process, contact the unit (faculty, school, or college) that is offering the course in question.