Part-Time Studies - Adult Students

Wilfrid Laurier University does not have a policy specifically for mature students.  Laurier will consider you an Adult Student under the following circumstances:

Applicants who do not possess the necessary minimum requirements for admission to the university and have never attended a college or university may be considered for admission as an adult student.

If you have attended a college or university previously please refer to the Transfer Students page.

Adult students are normally considered for admission to part-time studies.

Admission Requirements:  Adult students may be considered for admission if they meet either of the following conditions: 

You have graduated from high school without at least six OAC, Grade 12U and/or Grade 12M courses (or equivalent) and have two or more years work experience prior to the first day of classes; or
if the above requirements are not met the applicant must be at least 21 years of age and have at least two years of work experience prior to the first day of classes for the session to which they apply.

Application Procedures: Complete and submit the Application for Admission to Part-Time Studies along with the $50 application fee.

Make arrangements for official transcripts (sent directly from the issuing institution) to be forwarded directly to the Admissions Office at Wilfrid Laurier University.  The Ontario government requires all universities to have official academic documents on file for each student.

Please note that once your Application for Admission has been processed and if you are eligible for admission to Laurier, your Offer of Admission letter will include instructions for registering on-line using Laurier's On-line Registration Information System (LORIS).

In support of your application, you must also submit a personal assessment letter outlining the following:  Why you feel you will be successful at university; your current career aspirations; and your work experience since your most recent attendance at a school.

Applicants are encouraged to describe any employment experiences, leisure activities or volunteer work/community service that demonstrates good citizenship and leadership qualities.

The University will admit only those applicants who, in the opinion of the Admissions Committee, are adequately prepared on the basis of previous academic training and/or life-skill experiences to undertake university courses. 

Adult students are urged to avail themselves of the University's services (academic counselling, study-skills counselling, personal counselling, and career counselling). 

Admission Conditions:
Adult students are normally admitted to part-time studies and will initially take courses without being registered in a specific degree or diploma program. 

For registration in a specific program student performance is subject to a successful review by the appropriate Admissions Committee. 

During the initial period of assessment adult students registered in part-time studies may register in a maximum of 1.0 credit per term. 

In order to continue registration at the University, all students must attain
a minimum C- average (GPA of 4.00) on 4.0 credits.

If a student has a cumulative GPA of less than 4.00 (C-) but not less than 2.00 (D) after the completion of the first 4.0 credits, they will be allowed to take 2.0 additional credits to clear academic probation.  If the student fails to acheive a grade point average of 5.00 (C) based on these 2.0 credits they will be required to withdraw from the university.

Adult Students: Transferring from Part-Time to Full-Time Studies
Adult students in part-time studies who wish to transfer into full-time studies will require a higher academic standing than noted above.

The Request for Full-Time Studies form is available from the Office of the Registrar and must be submitted by March 15 for Diploma Programs and May 15 for degree study programs.