Does University of Ottawa give transfer credit for IB French A: Language and Literature SL?
Ottawa, ON
Not Currently Accepted
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
No credit (HL only)
💡Expert's Take
IB French A SL; both Language and Literature and Literature, earns no transfer credit at uOttawa. uOttawa's IB transfer credit table covers HL courses only, and SL is categorically excluded regardless of variant or score. The variant distinction between Language and Literature and Literature is irrelevant at SL, neither earns credit.
At HL, uOttawa lists a single entry, "Français A", with no variant distinction. Both French A HL variants therefore earn the same award at a score of 5 or higher: FRA 1710 (Analyse, écriture et argumentation I, 3 units) and FRA 1720 (Analyse, écriture et argumentation II, 3 units), 6 units total, a full first-year French academic writing sequence.
One important clarification: uOttawa's IB table also includes a separate entry for "French" (the non-native French B course), which maps to FLS 1XXX and explicitly cannot be received by students enrolled in French-language programs. That restriction does not apply to Français A, FRA 1710 and FRA 1720 are available to all admitted students, including those in French-stream or bilingual programs.
What to watch for:
- FRA 1710 and FRA 1720 are French-medium writing courses. These are not French-as-a-second-language courses, they are university-level academic writing and argumentation courses taught entirely in French, intended for students with native or near-native proficiency. HL credit here is most valuable to students entering French-language or bilingual programs, where these courses frequently appear in program requirements.
- The variant you took (Language and Literature vs. Literature) has no effect at uOttawa. The single "Français A" entry in the IB table applies to both. Students choosing between the two variants for other universities should check those institutions individually, but for uOttawa the choice is irrelevant.
- 18-unit HL cap applies. French A HL accounts for 6 of the maximum 18 transferable IB HL units. Students stacking multiple HL credits should plan accordingly.
If you took French A at SL, plan to complete FRA 1710 and FRA 1720 as part of your normal course load. For students in French-language or bilingual programs, these courses are typically required early in the degree, check your specific program requirements in the uOttawa undergraduate calendar.
If you are still choosing IB course levels and French A is on your list, taking it at HL rather than SL has clear value at uOttawa specifically, 6 units covering a named writing sequence, available to all students including those in French-stream programs. As with the English A HL credit, the choice between Language and Literature and Literature has no bearing on your uOttawa outcome, so make that decision based on academic fit.
Official award line (IB French A: Language and Literature SL & French A: Literature SL):
Minimum score: N/A, no credit is granted for SL courses at uOttawa
Credit granted: None, SL courses are not eligible for IB transfer credit at uOttawa
Note: French A HL (score 5 or higher); both Language and Literature and Literature variants, earns
FRA 1710
+
FRA 1720
(6 units, Analyse, écriture et argumentation I + II).
uOttawa Transfer Credits, International Baccalaureate (IB) section uOttawa FRA course catalogue
Completed the Higher Level instead? See our French A: Language and Literature HL page for that award.
Need help preparing for IB French A: Language and Literature SL?
Your Potential Savings
University of Ottawa does not award transfer credit for this subject, so there is no tuition saving to estimate.
📊 Compare French A: Language and Literature SL at Other Universities
See how French A: Language and Literature SL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebec | CSA | No transfer credit under the IB Diploma Programme … | View estimate | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | French 1500 + French 1501 | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | FREN 100-level (3 units) + FREN 211 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 5/7 | FREN_V 301 + FREN_V 302 (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | 4/7 | FREN 1200: French 1 (6) | View estimate | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → |
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: Language and Literature SL?
Add all your IB subjects and predicted scores to estimate your total transfer credit across Canadian universities, side by side.
Other IB Subjects at University of Ottawa
Related subjects you might be interested in at University of Ottawa
French A: Literature HL
French A: Language and Literature HL
French A: Literature SL
English A: Language and Literature HL
English A: Literature HL
English A: Literature SL
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: August 2026
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