First Year Progression Requirements

As a first-year engineering student, it is important to understand the academic requirements for your program. On this page you will find the information you need regarding the requirements for the engineering program.

We understand that navigating academic requirements can be overwhelming, and we are here to help you make sense of it all. Our first year academic counsellors are available to answer your questions and provide guidance to help you achieve academic success.

We encourage you to take some time and familiarize yourself with the requirements of the Engineering program. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for assistance. We are here to help you succeed during your first year and beyond.

Good Standing

A student who at the end of an academic year has achieved a weighted average of at least 60% and has
achieved a passing grade in each course of his/her approved program shall proceed to the next year in
Good Standing.

Progression into year 2

In March, first year students can indicate their ranked program choices through the Intent to Register process. Find out what the minimum requirements are for entrance into an Engineering program for the upper years HERE

How do I find out what program I have been accepted into?: You can log in to the Student Centre website to check your adjudication comments. Here you will see one of the following: "Eligible for xxx Engineering", means you have been accepted into that program. "Required to Withdraw from the Faculty of Engineering" means that you did not achieve the 60% Fall/Winter Year Weighted Average (YWA) minimum to remain in the Faculty.

Please see the following flow chart for further options. Please note that summer courses are not included in the Fall/Winter average calculation which needs to be 60% or higher to remain in Engineering (unless you signed up for the Extended First Year Program by the January deadline).

Unsatisfactory Academic Standing

Dean's Waiver Application Information Session June 13 2024

A student shall be required to withdraw from the Faculty of Engineering and (unless admitted to another Faculty) shall be required to withdraw (RTW) from the University, if that student:

  • Is in the first year of the program and fails to obtain a weighted average of at least 60%, or
  • Is in a year of the program subsequent to the first year and
    • Fails to obtain a weighted average of at least 50% at the end of the academic year, or
    • Has failed for a second time to obtain a weighted average of at least 60% at the end of the academic year, or
    • Has been readmitted after withdrawal for unsatisfactory standing and obtains a weighted average of less than 60% at the end of the academic year, in any year.

Please see the policy in the Academic Calendar

What happens next?

1.) If you have been adjudicated as required to withdraw, this notation will appear in your Student Center account adjudication comments AND you will be notified of this status through your UWO email account by the Engineering Undergraduate Services Office. 

2.) The email will outline the appeals process, supporting resources, and will contain information on how to write a Dean's Waiver appeal. Please also review the information posted on our Dean's Waiver appeal page online. 

3.) Your appeal must be submitted by June 30th and will be reviewed by the Assistant Dean - First Year Studies. Following this review your appeal decision will be communicated to you through your UWO email account. 

4.) Students who have been approved for a Dean's Waiver appeal must carefully review their letter for information on the conditions of their approval. Most commonly, approved students must repeat any course from that academic year in which they did not attain a minimum final grade of 60%+.  

Click here for information about Resilience Resources  

Readmission following Withdrawal for Unsatisfactory Standing

A student who has been required to withdraw because of unsatisfactory standing may apply for readmission through the Admissions Office following a period of at least one year outside the University.

Failed Year (Upper Year Students ONLY)

A student who is in second, third or fourth year and who for the first time obtains a weighted average at the end of the academic year in the range of 50-59% shall be considered to have failed the year.

Credit shall be retained for courses in which the student obtains a mark of 60% or better in that year. Any course from that academic year with a mark below 60% must be repeated.

This adjudication comment will apply to any courses taken during the subsequent summer term.

A second failed year, in any year, will result in Withdrawal for Unsatisfactory Standing (Required to Withdraw). 

What average do I need to graduate?

You need a cumulative average of 60% to graduate. This is the average of all your courses required for the Engineering degree combined.

Transfer to Another Faculty

A student who is eligible to continue in the Engineering program, yet wishes to transfer to another Faculty may do so provided the approval of the Dean of the Faculty to which the transfer is desired is obtained. Students interested in this option should consult with the Academic Advising office in the Faculty they wish to transfer to, for more information on requirements, courses and progression.

A student who has been required to withdraw from the University by the Faculty of Engineering may apply for readmission to the University in another Faculty through the Dean’s office of the desired Faculty by June 30th. Students interested in this option should consult with the Academic Advising office in the Faculty they wish to transfer to, for more information on requirements, courses and progression.