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
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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.
📊 Compare French A: Language and Literature SL at Other Universities
See how French A: Language and Literature SL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Each school has different grade requirements and savings potential.
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB
Min Grade
6/7
Credit Granted
FREN 100-level (3 units) + FREN 211 (3 u...
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,302
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FREN_V 301 + FREN_V 302 (6 credits)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,242
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 Ottawa
Related subjects you might be interested in at University of Ottawa
English A: Language and Literature HL
French A: Language and Literature HL
English A: Language and Literature SL
English A: Literature SL
French A: Literature HL
French 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: December 2025
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