Does University of British Columbia give transfer credit for IB French A: Literature SL?

Vancouver, BC

Faculty: General Admission

Yes, Transfer Credit Available!

Minimum Grade Required

5or higher

Credit Granted

FREN_V 301 + FREN_V 302 (6 credits)

๐Ÿ’กExpert's Take

Named-course credit at the 300 level. A 5 or higher under UBC's "French A SL" entry earns FREN_V 301 and FREN_V 302 (Intermediate French I and II), the full CEFR B1 sequence: two specific courses, not generic first-year credit.

What the 6 credits are worth depends on your faculty. Applied Science applies only 3 of them to the degree, since at most 3 credits of language courses count toward its humanities and social sciences requirement, and the BCom humanities elective excludes language courses, though they can still count among its non-Commerce electives. The fit is better in Arts and Science: FREN_V sits in the BA's Language as Meaning breadth area and counts as Arts credit toward the BSc's 12-credit Arts requirement. Vantage One is the exception: UBC grants no IB advance credit toward the Vantage One Arts, Engineering, or Management programs, and none in the Science stream's first term. If you continue French, the award meets the FREN_V 302 gateway for upper-level courses in the French major and the Minor in French Language, Literatures and Cultures (the separate Minor in French Language is closed to students entering at FREN_V 401 or higher), and the department directs students holding credit for both courses to begin at FREN_V 401. At HL, this subject earns FREN_V 311 plus 3 credits of FREN_V 3rd-year level; see our French A: Literature HL page.

What to watch for: before registering in any FREN_V language course, UBC requires the French placement procedure (a background survey, then the written placement test and oral interview if directed); declining the credit does not exempt you from it. Students who skip it and are identified as overqualified are removed from the course and lose eligibility for credit in it (after the add/drop deadline this leaves a W on the transcript and may incur fees), and students educated in a francophone school are not permitted to stay in FREN_V 401 and 402. UBC states you may refuse the first-year credit and take the course anyway, but Science's calendar notes advance credit counts only until an equivalent UBC course is taken, and a student who takes the equivalent course and does not pass it may not use the advance credit toward the degree.

Official award line (French A SL):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted: FREN_V 301 (3) and FREN_V 302 (3)

UBC first-year credit table (International Baccalaureate)

Need help preparing for IB French A: Literature SL?

Your Potential Savings

Credit Awarded

6

credit (1 course = 3 credits)

British Columbia Resident

~$207-$333/credit

~$1,240 - $1,999

Potential Tuition Value

(Arts to Commerce)

Out-of-Province

~$207-$333/credit

~$1,240 - $1,999

Potential Tuition Value

(Arts to Commerce)

International

~$1,718-$2,223/credit

~$10,306 - $13,336

Potential Tuition Value

(Arts to Commerce; 2026 cohort)

*2026-27 tuition-only rates; international rates are cohort-locked. Values assume the award replaces tuition you would otherwise pay. Actual cash savings can be $0 under flat-rate or full-time billing unless credit reduces a billed term or time to completion.

๐Ÿ“Š Compare French A: Literature SL at Other Universities

See how French A: Literature SL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.

UniversityMin GradeCredit GrantedTuition Value
Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC4/7SFU FREN 1XX (6), or SFU FREN 1XX (3) + WL 1XX (3)โ€ฆView estimateโ†’
University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB6/7FREN 100-level (3 units) + FREN 211 (3 units)View estimateโ†’
University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB4/7FREN 1200: French 1 (6)View estimateโ†’
Carleton UniversityOttawa, ONN/ANot yet verifiedโ€”โ†’
Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NSN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
McGill UniversityMontreal, QCN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
McMaster UniversityHamilton, ONN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NLN/ANot yet verifiedโ€”โ†’
Queen's UniversityKingston, ONN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
University of CalgaryCalgary, AlbertaN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
University of GuelphGuelph, ONN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
University of OttawaOttawa, ONN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
University of TorontoToronto, ONN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
University of VictoriaVictoria, BCN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
University of WaterlooWaterloo, ONN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
York UniversityToronto, ONN/ANo transfer creditโ€”โ†’
3 universities grant credit11 do not2 not yet verifiedResidency estimates are available on each university page.

Tip: Open a university to compare same-province, out-of-province, and international tuition values. Flat-rate or full-time billing can make the immediate cash saving $0.

Taking more than French A: Literature SL?

Add all your IB subjects and predicted scores to estimate your total transfer credit across Canadian universities, side by side.

Try the IB Credit Calculator โ†’

Data Disclaimer

This information is compiled from University of British Columbia official sources and verified community reports. It is NOT a substitute for official academic advising. Always confirm with your advisor before making decisions.

โœ“UBC Undergraduate Admissionsโœ“2024W UBC Vancouver Course Schedule (PDF)โœ“UBC Academic Calendar

Last updated: July 2026

Save Your Transfer Plan

Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for French A: Literature SL at University of British Columbia.