Does University of Ottawa give transfer credit for IB French A: Literature HL?
Ottawa, ON
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
FRA 1710 + FRA 1720 (6 units)
💡Expert's Take
French A HL earns two named academic writing courses — not a generic elective slot. The uOttawa advanced standing table lists "Français A" as a single entry covering both French A variants and awards FRA 1710 Analyse, écriture et argumentation I (3 units) and FRA 1720 Analyse, écriture et argumentation II (3 units) — a total of 6 units. These are core first-year writing and argumentation courses required across French-language programs in Arts and Social Sciences, not filler electives.
FRA 1710 and FRA 1720 form a deliberate sequence: FRA 1710 is listed as a prerequisite for FRA 1720 in the course catalogue. Receiving both through transfer credit simultaneously is precisely how the credit is structured — you are not expected to take them in order when they arrive as a block award. Completing this writing foundation also supports progression toward upper-year French courses such as FRA 1746 (Culture et littérature françaises : des origines au XVIIIe siècle), though FRA 1746 carries no formal course-level prerequisite.
Critically, there is no language-of-instruction restriction attached to Français A in the uOttawa table — unlike English A (restricted for English-stream programs) and French B (restricted for French-stream programs). French A credit applies regardless of whether your program is delivered in English or French. This makes it one of the cleanest IB awards in the entire table.
uOttawa draws no distinction between the two French A variants — Language and Literature and Literature — in its published table. Both are listed under "Français A" and receive the same award. Students holding either variant with a score of 5 or higher receive identical credit.
What to watch for:
- The 18-unit IB cap is real and binding. uOttawa's advanced standing policy caps total IB HL transfer credits at 18 units across all subjects combined. French A's 6-unit award consumes one-third of that ceiling. If you are also presenting strong HL scores in Sciences, Mathematics, or Economics, map your full credit picture against this limit early — credits are not declined on your behalf, so the cap may cause lower-priority credits to go unclaimed.
- Some programs grant no transfer credits at all. The transfer credit policy lists programs that do not participate — including International Studies and Modern Languages (Faculty of Social Sciences), Nursing and Nutrition/Dietetics (Health Sciences), and most dual fast-track or multidisciplinary programs. If your intended program is on this list, the award does not apply.
- Credit is confirmed after — not before — admission. Transfer credits are assessed automatically after uOttawa receives your final IB grades. Your revised offer of admission is where the formal award appears. The published table reflects policy, but the university may request a detailed course syllabus during review and retains discretion over final outcomes.
For students entering any French-language program in Arts or Social Sciences, accepting this credit is almost always the right call. FRA 1710 and FRA 1720 are foundational writing mechanics courses — intensive but not intellectually novel for a student who completed French A HL. Skipping them frees two course slots in a typically crowded first year and advances you directly toward more substantive coursework.
For students targeting a French Studies major or minor, confirm in the program catalogue that FRA 1710 and FRA 1720 satisfy the specific named requirements of your intended program. uOttawa's enrollment guidance confirms that awarded credits automatically meet requirements where the course code matches — but verifying the prerequisite chain for your upper-year sequence before finalizing your course plan is worthwhile.
For students in English-stream programs where French coursework is optional or co-curricular, the 6-unit award still counts toward your total graduation units and reduces your required elective load. Because there is no language-of-instruction restriction on this credit, it applies cleanly even in fully English-delivered programs.
Official award line (French A: Literature HL / Français A):
Minimum score: 5
Credit granted: FRA 1710 (3 units) + FRA 1720 (3 units) = 6 units total
IB transfer credit cap: 18 units maximum across all HL subjects
Language-of-instruction restriction: None (credit applies in both English- and French-stream programs)
Variant note: uOttawa's published table lists both French A variants (Literature and Language and Literature)
under the single label "Français A" — no distinction is made between the two for credit purposes.
Students holding the Language and Literature variant receive the same award.
University of Ottawa — Advanced Standing (Transfer Credits): IB Diploma table uOttawa Course Catalogue — Lettres françaises (FRA) courses
Need help preparing for IB French A: Literature HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
6
Tuition per Credit*
~$220
Est. Savings*
~$1,320
*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: Literature HL at Other Universities
See how French A: Literature HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Each school has different grade requirements and savings potential.
McGill University
Montreal, QC
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FREN 1XX (6 credits)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$2,520
Queen's University
Kingston, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FREN 2UNS (6.0 units)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,398
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, BC
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
SFU FREN 1XX (6), or SFU FREN 1XX (3) + ...
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,398
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 311 + FREN_V 3rd-year level (6 cr...
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,242
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FREN 315
(3 credits)
Est. Savings
$597
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FRE1**Y (1.0 credit)
(1 credit)
Est. Savings
$659
University of Victoria
Victoria, BC
Min Grade
4/7
Credit Granted
FRAN 120 (3 units)
(3 credits)
Est. Savings
$555
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
FR 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit
(1 credit)
Est. Savings
$450
Western University
London, ON
Min Grade
5/7
Credit Granted
French 1910 (1.0 credit)
(6 credits)
Est. Savings
$1,440
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: Language and Literature SL
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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