WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF CREDIT/D/FAIL STANDING?
The most obvious consequence is that you will not have a percentage grade for the course in question visible on your academic record. This means that this percentage may not be used in calculations around required averages.
For some students this will be beneficial (if they did poorly in a class) or detrimental (if they need a percentage grade to qualify for further study). UBC is working to minimize the detriments internally, but we don’t have control over the decisions of external parties (e.g. other universities, if you wish to apply to a graduate program).
GRADUATION
Generally, graduation is evaluated on satisfying all the program requirements by successfully completing courses and the specific grades do not matter. There are some exceptions:
- Some programs require minimum grades in specific courses and choosing Credit/D/Fail Standing for these courses may jeopardize your graduation except if your faculty, as an academic concession, grants you an exception.
- Some degree programs require a minimum graduating grade average (e.g. BA, BSC, BFA). As above, on a case-by-case basis faculties may choose to waive this requirement as an academic concession.
DECLARING A SPECIALIZATION (MAJOR, MINOR, HONOURS, ETC.)
Some specializations require either set averages or grades in certain courses to be declared. Faculties may, as an academic concession, either waive this requirement or agree to consider the grade behind your Credit/D/Fail standing in considering applications to majors.
ADMISSION TO GRADUATE PROGRAMS
UBC graduate programs at the Okanagan campus require a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76-79% at UBC) in third-year level and above courses; or, academic standing with at least 12 credits of third or fourth-year courses in the A grade range (80% or higher at UBC) in the field of study. Courses with Credit/D/Fail standing are NOT included in the calculation of grade point averages for admission to graduate school.
UBC has no control over how other universities might consider Credit/D/Fail grades for admission to graduate programs. If you have a specific university in mind, your best option is to contact them for more information.
