Does Dalhousie University give transfer credit for IB English A: Literature HL?
Halifax, NS
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
English 1015.03 + English 1025.03 = 6 credit hours (Halifax) or English 1000.03 + English 1001.03 = 6 credit hours (Truro)
💡Expert's Take
A score of 5 or higher in IB English A: Literature HL earns 6 credit hours at Dalhousie, the equivalent of two full first-year English courses, at both the Halifax and Truro campuses. What makes this award stand out is the nature of the credits themselves: at the Halifax campus, the two courses granted are ENGL 1015.03 and ENGL 1025.03, not generic elective placeholders.
According to Dalhousie's Department of English, any two of the 1015/1025-series courses fulfill both the Writing Requirement and the humanities distribution requirement, and together they satisfy the prerequisite for any 2000- or 3000-level English course. In practice, this means students who claim this credit arrive in second year already eligible to take upper-level literature courses, a meaningful head start for anyone in an Arts program.
Students enrolling at the Truro (Agricultural) Campus are listed on Dalhousie's IB transfer credit table as receiving English 1000.03 and English 1001.03. Because the publicly available Truro degree-requirement and course-planning pages highlight a somewhat different set of writing-course options (EGLA 1000, 1002, and 1004), students at the Truro campus should confirm with an academic advisor how these transferred credits will apply within their specific program.
One structural distinction worth noting: this page covers English A: Literature HL only. The related subject English A: Language & Literature HL maps to a different pair of Dalhousie courses (ENGL 1991W.03 and ENGL 1992W.03). Students who completed the Language & Literature variant should verify their credit against that separate listing on the official IB transfer credit table.
What to watch for:
- Don't register for ENGL 1015 or ENGL 1025 before your transfer credit is confirmed. Dalhousie's transfer credit policy notes that registering for a course that is pending as a transfer credit may forfeit your ability to receive that credit if granted. Submit the IB Transfer Credit Request Form early and hold off on self-enrolling in these specific sections.
- Deadline is strict: Transfer credit request forms must be submitted before you complete your first semester at Dalhousie. Missing this deadline can jeopardize your ability to receive and use the credit in time for registration and degree planning.
- Engineering students face a combined cap. If you are admitted to the Bachelor of Engineering, Dalhousie limits all IB transfer credits to a maximum of 12 credit hours total across all subjects. Plan accordingly if you are claiming credits in multiple IB HL courses.
- Program-specific fit is not guaranteed. Dalhousie's policy notes that the degree requirements of a student's program may affect which transfer credits are actually applied. Confirm with your academic advisor that ENGL 1015.03 and ENGL 1025.03 count toward your specific degree before assuming they will satisfy requirements.
For students heading to the Halifax campus in an Arts, Social Sciences, or interdisciplinary program, this IB credit carries genuine strategic weight. Claiming it frees up two first-year English slots while simultaneously satisfying the Writing Requirement and unlocking prerequisites to upper-level English coursework, without having to sit through introductory material you effectively already know. Students who are confident in their score of 5 or above should submit the transfer credit form as soon as they confirm their admission offer, well before the first semester deadline.
Students who are considering an English major or minor should verify with the Department of English whether these transferred courses fully satisfy the prerequisites for their intended second-year path, this is worth a quick email to an academic advisor before registration opens.
Official award line (IB English A: Literature HL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted (Halifax): ENGL 1015.03 & ENGL 1025.03, 6 credit hours
Credit granted (Truro campus): English 1000.03 & English 1001.03, 6 credit hours
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Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
6
Tuition per Credit*
~$342
Est. Savings*
~$2,052
*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with Dalhousie University's official sources before making decisions.
📊 Compare English A: Literature HL at Other Universities
See how English A: Literature HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | ENGL 1XX (6 credits) | $2,520 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | ENG 110.6 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | English 1020E (1.0 credit) | $1,440 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | ENG 1100 + ENG 1120 (6 units) | $1,320 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 5/7 | ENGL 100-level (6 units) | $1,302 | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 5/7 | ENGL_V 1st-year level (6 credits) | $1,242 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | ENGLISH 1XXX (6 units) | $1,200 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | ENGL 1080 (0.50 credits) | $720 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | ENG1**Y (1.0 credit) | $659 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | 3 units junior English | $597 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | ENSH 101 (1.5 units) and ENSH 102 (1.5 units) | $555 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | ENGL 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit | $450 | → |
Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.
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Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for English A: Literature HL at Dalhousie University.