Does University of Ottawa give transfer credit for IB English A: Literature SL?
Ottawa, ON
Not Currently Accepted
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
No credit — HL only
💡Expert's Take
IB English A: Literature SL earns no transfer credit at uOttawa — and the outcome is identical to English A: Language and Literature SL. uOttawa's IB transfer credit table lists only HL courses; all SL subjects are categorically excluded. The variant distinction between Literature and Language and Literature does not matter at SL — neither earns credit.
At HL, uOttawa makes no distinction between the two English A variants either. The table entry reads simply "English A," meaning both Literature HL and Language and Literature HL map to the same award: ENG 1100 (Workshop in Essay Writing, 3 units) and ENG 1120 (Selected Topics in Literature and Composition, 3 units) — 6 units total at a score of 5 or higher.
This makes uOttawa's English A policy simpler than it appears: one rule covers both variants at both HL and SL. Students debating which English A course to take have no reason to choose based on uOttawa transfer credit outcomes — the results are identical at every level.
What to watch for:
- ENG 1100 is more than a free elective. Workshop in Essay Writing is a foundational writing course that feeds into many first-year programs at uOttawa across Arts, Social Sciences, and Management. SL students must complete it in Year 1; HL students who earned credit for it have one fewer scheduling constraint from the start.
- uOttawa is more generous with English A than many peers. Several Canadian universities — Queen's among them — award no credit for English A HL at all. At uOttawa, HL earns 6 named units. SL students arriving from institutions where HL credit is the norm should not assume this generosity extends to SL — it does not.
- 18-unit HL cap applies across all IB subjects combined. English A HL accounts for 6 of those 18 maximum units. If you are stacking multiple HL credits, be aware that this subject consumes a third of the available cap.
If you took English A: Literature at SL, register in ENG 1100 and plan your first-year writing requirement accordingly. The ENG course catalogue details any co-requisites or sequencing notes.
If you are still in the IB Diploma and choosing between English A: Literature and Language and Literature, the choice has no bearing on your transfer credit outcome at uOttawa — both variants produce the same result at both HL and SL. Make the choice based on academic fit and your intended program, not on credit strategy.
Official award line (IB English A: Literature SL):
Minimum score: 5 or higher
Credit granted: None — SL courses are not eligible for IB transfer credit at uOttawa
Note: English A HL (score 5 or higher) — both Literature and Language and Literature variants — earns
ENG 1100
+
ENG 1120
(6 units — Workshop in Essay Writing + Selected Topics in Literature and Composition).
uOttawa Transfer Credits — International Baccalaureate (IB) section
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Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
0
Tuition per Credit*
~$220
Est. Savings*
~$0
*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with University of Ottawa's official sources before making decisions.
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Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from University of Ottawa 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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