Does Queen's University give transfer credit for IB Physics HL?
Kingston, ON
No Transfer Credit for This Faculty
Smith Engineering explicitly grants no credit for this IB subject regardless of score. This is stated on Queen's Engineering IB transfer credit table. Other Queen's faculties may grant credit; check the Arts & Science or other faculty pages for this subject.
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
NO CREDIT
💡Expert's Take
Queen's awards PHYS 117 (6.0 units) for IB Physics HL with a score of 5 or higher, in every faculty except Smith Engineering, which grants no credit. PHYS 117 is a full-year, algebra-based introductory physics course that includes a lab component. It satisfies the physics requirement for most science programs outside of the Physics major itself. The critical distinction: Physics and Astronomy degree plans require the calculus-based PHYS 104 or PHYS 106, which are in the same exclusion group as PHYS 117. Accepting this credit blocks you from taking either of those courses (Queen's IB transfer credit tables).
Understanding the course hierarchy is key. Queen's offers several introductory physics streams, all mutually exclusive (maximum 6.0 units from the group). PHYS 104 and PHYS 106 are calculus-based courses that require MATH 120 or MATH 121 as a corequisite, they are designed for students who plan to continue in physics and serve as prerequisites for upper-year physics courses like PHYS 206 (Dynamics) and PHYS 242 (Electricity and Magnetism). PHYS 117 (and its split equivalents PHYS 115 + PHYS 116) is algebra-based, covering the same broad topics, dynamics, fluids, waves, electromagnetism, optics, but with less mathematical depth. It is designed for students who need physics as a supporting science rather than a foundation for further physics study.
The IB transfer credit tables across most faculties note that students who wish to pursue a degree plan in Physics must take PHYS 104 or PHYS 106. Since PHYS 117 is an exclusion to both, accepting the transfer credit permanently closes the door to those courses. This is the same exclusion-trap pattern seen with MATH 121 vs MATH 120, accepting a perfectly valid credit that happens to block a more specialized version of the same course.
What to watch for:
- Smith Engineering, no credit at all. The Engineering IB transfer credit table explicitly lists "No Credit" for HL Physics. Engineering students must take their own physics sequence (APSC 111/112) regardless of IB score.
- Physics and Astronomy majors, do not accept this credit. The transfer credit tables state that students pursuing a Physics degree plan must take PHYS 104 or PHYS 106. All upper-year physics courses (PHYS 206, PHYS 242, PHYS 239, etc.) list "PHYS 104 or PHYS 106" as prerequisites, PHYS 117 does not satisfy these. Accepting the credit bars you from taking the courses your major actually requires.
- Chemistry majors, confirm with your department. The Arts and Science Online page for PHYS 118 (the online equivalent of PHYS 117 without labs) notes that PHYS 118 does not substitute for PHYS 117 in Chemistry programs, which suggests Chemistry may have specific physics requirements. Check your degree plan carefully before accepting.
- Biology, Geology, Psychology, Environmental Science, this credit works well. Biology degree plans list PHYS 115 + PHYS 116 (which together are equivalent to PHYS 117) as the recommended physics option. Physics is "highly recommended but not required" for Biology, so PHYS 117 transfer credit satisfies this recommendation and frees 6.0 units in your schedule.
- Life Sciences, accepted, with a calendar quirk. The Life Sciences major plan lists PHYS 104, PHYS 106, or PHYS 118 for its physics requirement but does not explicitly name PHYS 117. Since PHYS 117 is the in-person equivalent of PHYS 115 + 116, and all of these courses sit in the same exclusion group, PHYS 117 should be accepted, but if you want absolute certainty, confirm with the Life Sciences program office.
- Health Sciences (BHSc), confirmed usable. The Health Sciences IB page specifically notes that this transfer credit can be used to access upper-year courses that require PHYS 117 as a prerequisite.
- Smith Commerce, counts toward your total degree units. PHYS 117 sits on your transcript as a non-Commerce course contributing 6.0 units toward degree completion.
The decision is simple once you know your path. If your degree plan requires or recommends PHYS 115 + 116 (or accepts any course in the PHYS 104/106/115/116/117/118 exclusion group), which covers Biology, most general science programs, Health Sciences, and Commerce, accept the credit. It eliminates a full year of introductory physics. If your plan specifically requires the calculus-based PHYS 104 or PHYS 106 (Physics, Astronomy, and potentially Chemistry), or if you are in Engineering, the credit cannot help you.
Students who need to decline transfer credit should do so before the end of fall term of their first year. The transfer credit policies page outlines deadlines and procedures.
Official award line (IB Physics HL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted (Arts, Science, Computing, Health Sciences, Nursing, Smith Commerce): PHYS 117, 6.0 units
Credit granted (Smith Engineering): No Credit
Exclusions: No more than 6.0 units from PHYS 104/6.0; PHYS 106/6.0; PHYS 115/3.0; PHYS 116/3.0; PHYS 117/6.0; PHYS 118/6.0
Queen's, IB Transfer Credits: Arts Science Computing Health Sciences Nursing Smith Commerce Smith Engineering
Need help preparing for IB Physics HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
0
Ontario Resident
~$200-494/credit
~$0 - $0
Est. Savings
Out-of-Province
~$200-600/credit
~$0 - $0
Est. Savings
International
~$1,126-1,844/credit
~$0 - $0
Est. Savings
(Commerce/Eng higher)
*Tuition rates are for 2025-2026 and vary by faculty. Always verify with Queen's official sources before making decisions.
📊 Compare Physics HL at Other Universities
See how Physics HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | PHYS 101 + PHYS 102 (8 credits) | $3,360 | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | Physics 1280.03 + Physics 1290.03 = 6 credit hours | $2,052 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | PHYS 115.3 + PHYS 117.3 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | SC/PHYS 1411 3.0 + SC/PHYS 1412 3.0 (6 credits) | $1,458 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Physics 1501A (0.5 cr) + Physics 1502B (0.5 cr) = … | $1,440 | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU PHYS 101 (3), Q/B-Sci; SFU PHYS 102 (3), Q/B-S… | $1,398 | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | PHYS 1107 (0.5) & PHYS 1108 (0.5) | $1,365 | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | Physics 1020 + Physics 1021 | $1,350 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | PHY 1121 + PHY 1122 (6 units) | $1,320 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | PHYS 124 + PHYS 126 (6 units) | $1,302 | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | PHYS_V 100 (3) + PHYS_V 1st-year level (3) | $1,242 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | Physics 1A03 and 1AA3 | $1,200 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | Physics 221 (3 units) and Physics 223 (3 units) | $1,194 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | PHYS 9110 (0.50 credits) | $720 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | PHY131H1+PHY132H1 (1.0 cr, A&S) · PHY136H5+PHY137H… | $659 | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 6/7 | PHYS 102A (1.5 units) and PHYS 102B (1.5 units) | $555 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → |
Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.
Other IB Subjects at Queen's University
Related subjects you might be interested in at Queen's University
Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from Queen's University 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
Save Your Transfer Plan
Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for Physics HL at Queen's University.