Does Dalhousie University give transfer credit for IB Psychology HL?
Halifax, NS
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
Psychology 1011.03 + Psychology 1012.03 = 6 credit hours
💡Expert's Take
IB Psychology HL earns Dalhousie's standard first-year Psychology sequence — PSYO 1011.03 (Introduction to Psychology and Neuroscience I: From Neuron to Person) and PSYO 1012.03 (Introduction to Psychology and Neuroscience II: From Social Interaction to Psychopathology) — at a minimum score of 5. Together, these 6 credit hours form the foundational requirement for all Psychology and Neuroscience programs at Dalhousie.
What IB credit does not automatically resolve is the grade threshold for upper-year access. Dalhousie's Academic Calendar stipulates that a grade of B- in both PSYO 1011.03 and PSYO 1012.03 is required to enrol in any 2000-level Psychology course. IB transfer credit is recorded as GPA-neutral on the academic record, but Dalhousie's registration system uses internal transfer-credit grade codes to determine whether prerequisite minimums are met: TR = C or C+, TB- = B-, TB = B, and TB+ = B+ or higher. Students intending to major or pursue honours in Psychology should confirm with an academic advisor how their specific IB result has been coded before relying on it for 2000-level registration.
What to watch for:
- Only Higher Level (HL) Psychology appears in Dalhousie's IB transfer credit table. SL Psychology is not listed for transfer credit consideration.
- Transfer credit request forms must be submitted before you complete your first semester at Dalhousie. Missing this window means you lose the opportunity to claim the credit.
- Avoid registering for PSYO 1011 or PSYO 1012 while your transfer credit application is being processed. Dalhousie's transfer credit policy notes that registering for a course under review may forfeit your ability to receive the credit if granted.
- Transfer credits are subject to change per Dalhousie's standing policy notice.
The 6 credit hours are worth claiming — they free up meaningful room in a 120-credit-hour degree. If Psychology is your intended major, the priority conversation with an advisor isn't the credit itself; it's whether those credits unlock 2000-level registration. Ask explicitly how your IB result has been coded before your first registration window opens.
Official award line (IB Psychology HL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted: Psychology 1011.03 and Psychology 1012.03 = 6 credit hours
Need help preparing for IB Psychology HL?
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 Psychology HL at Other Universities
See how Psychology HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | PSYC 1XX (3 or 6 credits) | $2,520 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | PSY Jr.6 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Psychology 1002A/B (0.5 cr) + Psychology 1003A/B (… | $1,440 | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | PSYC 102 + PSYC 103 (6.0 units) | $1,398 | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU PSYC 100 (3), B-Soc; SFU PSYC 102 (3), B-Soc | $1,398 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | PSY 1101 + PSY 1102 (6 units) | $1,320 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | PSYCH 104 (3 units) + PSYCH 105 (3 units) | $1,302 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | Student-reported: PSYCH 1X03 + 1XX3 (6 units) — Fa… | $1,200 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | PSYCH 101 + PSYCH 1XX (1.0 units) | $900 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | PSYC 1000 (0.50 credits) | $720 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | PSY1**H (0.5 cr, A&S No/No/No) · PSY1**Y (1.0 cr, … | $659 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | Psychology 201 | $597 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | PSYC 100A (1.5 units) and PSYC 100B (1.5 units) | $555 | → |
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 Psychology HL at Dalhousie University.