Does University of Guelph give transfer credit for IB French A: Literature HL?
Guelph, ON
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
HUMN 9110 (0.50 credits)
💡Expert's Take
Guelph awards HUMN 9110 for IB French A: Literature HL with a final score of 5 or higher. HUMN 9110 is a generic transfer credit (Guelph uses 9-series course numbers for credits with no exact catalogue equivalent), so the award posts as an elective that is not matched to a numbered course in the HUMN catalogue. At Guelph, most one-semester courses are 0.50 credits.
Entry into FREN courses runs on stated prerequisites and equivalents, not a general placement test: FREN*1200 requires Grade 12U French, FREN*1100/FREN*1150, or permission of the School of Languages and Literatures, and FREN*1300 requires FREN*1200 or an equivalent such as Grade 12 French Immersion. The French Studies program expects the appropriate academic background and notes that Francophone or non-francophone equivalent students may begin with second-year courses subject to Faculty Advisor approval. Your IB French A: Literature HL result can be part of the background you raise in that permission or equivalency conversation, even though HUMN 9110 is not itself a named prerequisite.
Guelph also caps IB transfer credit at a maximum of 2.0 credits. French A: Literature counts against that cap alongside any other qualifying HL awards you hold.
What to watch for:
- Generic credits carry real limits. Guelph advising is explicit: "Generic credits are electives and may or may not count towards the graduation requirements for the degree program you are entering," and "these generic credits will not be recognized as prerequisites but they will count in your total credit count." Treat HUMN 9110 as counting toward your credit total until an advisor confirms whether it satisfies any specific requirement.
- Score 5 is the floor. A 4 on HL French A: Literature receives no transfer credit under Guelph's IB transfer policy.
- French majors/minors: exemption means substitution with FREN courses. Students exempt from FREN*1200 and/or FREN*1300 "will need to substitute higher level French course(s) in order to complete the required number of credits for their program." HUMN 9110 is not a substitute; the program's separate note permitting up to 0.50 credits from other School of Languages and Literatures coursework related to French Studies is about internal SLL courses, not generic transfer credit.
- Restricted-elective or substitution review is a separate step. Guelph advising notes that "in some cases, a course for which there is no exact equivalent may be able to count as a restricted elective or substitution" if your Faculty Advisor approves it. This is the path for turning HUMN 9110 into something program-applicable, and it is decision-by-decision.
- The 2.0-credit IB cap is an absolute ceiling. Awards post on receipt of your official IBO transcript and stop at 2.0 credits; Guelph does not publish a mechanism for students to choose which HL awards apply.
Actionable strategy:
- Continuing in French: Contact the School of Languages and Literatures before course selection to confirm the correct FREN entry point, bringing your Grade 12 French background and your IB French A: Literature HL result to the conversation. If you are exempt from FREN*1200 or FREN*1300, ask your Faculty Advisor which upper-year courses will substitute for the missing credits.
- Not continuing in French: Treat HUMN 9110 as generic elective credit that contributes to your total credit count. Before assuming it fills a humanities-distribution or restricted-elective slot, confirm with your program counsellor; if an exact requirement is in play, ask whether a substitution review is available through your Faculty Advisor.
Official award (IB French A: Literature HL):
Minimum score: 5 or higher (Guelph's general rule for HL transfer credit)
Guelph equivalent as listed in the IB table: HUMN 9110
The data-box value of 0.50 credits reflects Guelph's standard one-semester course weight; the IB/AP equivalency table itself prints only the subject and "HUMN 9110" without a per-course weight.
University of Guelph Admission – IB / AP Transfer Credit Guelph Undergraduate Calendar – French Studies
What about Standard Level (SL)? Guelph's IB transfer credit policy awards credit only for Higher Level subjects with a final grade of 5 or higher. SL French A: Literature does not receive transfer credit at Guelph. This page covers HL only.
Need help preparing for IB French A: Literature HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
1
Tuition per Credit*
~$720
Est. Savings*
~$720
*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with University of Guelph's official sources before making decisions.
📊 Compare French A: Literature HL at Other Universities
See how French 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 | FREN 1XX (6 credits) | $2,520 | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | French 2999.06 (elective) | $2,052 | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | Unspecified credit (6 credits) | $1,458 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | French 1910 (1.0 credit) | $1,440 | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | FREN 2UNS (6.0 units) | $1,398 | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 5/7 | SFU FREN 1XX (6), or SFU FREN 1XX (3) + WL 1XX (3)… | $1,398 | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | FREN 1XXX (1.0) | $1,365 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | FRA 1710 + FRA 1720 (6 units) | $1,320 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | FREN 100-level (3 units) + FREN 211 (3 units) | $1,302 | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 5/7 | FREN_V 311 + FREN_V 3rd-year level (6 credits) | $1,242 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | FRE1**Y (1.0 credit) | $659 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | FREN 315 | $597 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | FRAN 120 (3 units) | $555 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | FR 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.
Other IB Subjects at University of Guelph
Related subjects you might be interested in at University of Guelph
English A: Language and Literature HL
French A: Language and Literature HL
English A: Literature SL
English A: Language and Literature SL
French A: Literature SL
French A: Language and Literature SL
Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from University of Guelph official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.
Last updated: December 2025
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