Transfer Student Academic Advising

As transfer students, you have access to a variety of supports and services on campus that are here to make your transition to Brock University as seamless and comfortable as possible. This page has been created using the transfer student voice to consolidate a variety of helpful resources and answers to commonly asked questions.

Understanding Statement of Advanced Standing

Statement of Advanced Standing

For further information regarding your transfer credits, please see our Transfer Students Admissions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a transfer student?  A transfer student is an individual who has studied at another accredited university or college prior to studying at Brock University. A transfer applicant may apply part way through studies at their current post-secondary institution, or they may have already graduated. 

If you are a current Brock student and are wanting to transfer to another area of study, also known as a change of major, please book an appointment with the Brock Academic Advising Team to discuss the change of major process.  

I have just accepted my offer, what are my next steps?  After a student accepts their offer, they are encouraged to meet with the Transfer Academic Advisor to get introduced to the processes and system that they will be encountering as they navigate their next steps of course registration. From there, if they have not done so already, they will be directed to a Program-Specific Academic Advisor to determine how their transfer credits will fit into their program requirements.  

What is the difference between the Transfer Academic Advisor and the Program-Specific Academic Advisor? The Transfer Academic Advisor is thought of as your accessible soft-landing point whose main goal is to assist you in navigating your next steps after accepting your offer. Catherine will provide support in understanding your Statement of Advanced Standing, connecting you with transfer specific resources on campus, as well as explaining and navigating the various Brock systems and supports that you will be using. As you begin your first semester on campus, she is here to ensure your transition is as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Your Program-Specific Academic Advisor is here to help you answer questions specifically pertaining to your degree such as: 

  • Course planning  
  • Deciding on a concentration, stream or minor 
  • Understanding where your transfer credits would sit in terms of degree requirements 
  • Deciphering any department specific policy, procedures, or regulations in relation to your program  

It is important that you are consistently meeting with your Program-Specific Academic Advisor to ensure you are on track with degree requirements. We suggest 1-2 times a year.  

How do I connect with my Program-Specific Academic Advisor?  You can find all contact information pertaining to your Program-Specific Academic Advisor here.  

How can I reassess my awarded transfer credits? Students are permitted to have their transfer credits reassessed within one calendar year of the time of their admission. If you feel that an unspecified transfer credit can be used towards a specific program requirement, please send your detailed course outline to admissions@brocku.ca. 

What is a detailed course outline?  Course outlines (or course syllabi) should contain enough information to provide a clear picture of the learning objectives achieved within the course. In most instances, it will include a breakdown of units/topics covered, assessments of knowledge such as tests and/or assignments, any assigned text/reading, etc. If you have any questions about your course outlines, please connect with admissions@brocku.ca. 

If I am awarded with 5.0 transfer credits, does that mean I am going into year 2 of my program?  This is always dependent on the credits that are awarded and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There is no guarantee that transfer credits will lead to accelerated completion due to a variety of factors. These factors can include, but are not limited to when courses are offered, program structure, and course prerequisites. This is why it is strongly encouraged that you contact your Program-Specific Academic Advisor to have this discussion. 

How do I know which courses to register in based on my transfer-credits?  Transfer students with advanced standing are a very unique group who may not be following the Undergraduate Calendar requirements in direct sequence. In some instances, students are taking courses that span multiple years of the program in one session. This is why it is crucial to connect with your Program-Specific Academic Advisor as soon as you have finalized your Statement of Advanced Standing to determine the best courses to register in. You should then keep in contact with your Academic Advisor well before each round of course registration to ensure you are efficiently planning your schedule each year. When connecting with your Program-Specific Advisor, it is best to request a program plan.  

What is a program plan?  A program plan is a document that allows you to see a breakdown of your program requirements and is filled in based on the courses you have successfully earned credit in. This is a great resource to allow you to visualize how your transfer credits fit into your program requirements.   

Will I be able to use all my Transfer Credits towards my degree requirements?  This is always dependent on the transfer credits received and major program you were admitted to. There is no guarantee that all transfer credits can be applied toward your degree requirements. Students are encouraged to meet with their Program-Specific Academic Advisors to see how these credits can be applied when course planning.  

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