Does University of Ottawa give transfer credit for IB Physics SL?
Ottawa, ON
Not Currently Accepted
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
No credit (HL only)
💡Expert's Take
IB Physics SL earns no transfer credit at uOttawa, by design, not exception. The uOttawa transfer credit policy for IB explicitly covers higher level courses only. Standard Level subjects across the board, Physics included, are recognized for admission purposes but cannot generate any transfer units, regardless of score.
"Recognized for Admission Only" is not a penalty specific to Physics SL; it is the universal outcome for every IB SL course at uOttawa. The university's IB table lists PHY 1121 + PHY 1122 as the award for Physics HL at score 5 or higher (six combined units of Fundamentals of Physics I and II). Physics SL sits entirely outside that framework.
The "5 or higher" minimum shown on this page refers to the score at which uOttawa will recognize the SL course for admission consideration; it does not trigger any credit award.
What to watch for:
- This is a policy boundary, not a score boundary. Even a perfect 7 on IB Physics SL earns zero transfer credit at uOttawa. No score threshold unlocks credits for SL subjects, the HL/SL distinction is structural. See the uOttawa advanced standing page for the complete IB table.
- Physics HL is a different outcome entirely. Students who took Physics HL and scored 5 or higher can claim PHY 1121 + PHY 1122; both are required foundational courses for science and engineering programs, potentially saving a full first-year course load of lab-intensive physics.
- uOttawa caps IB HL transfer credit at 18 units total. Students with multiple strong HL results should prioritize which credits to claim strategically, since the cap limits the total benefit across all subjects.
If you took Physics SL, there is nothing to claim and no decision to make, uOttawa's policy closes this door entirely. Your energy is better spent understanding how your other HL results fit within the 18-unit IB credit cap, and whether courses like PHY 1121 are required in your program so you can plan accordingly.
If you are choosing between SL and HL for Physics before finalizing your IB course selection and plan to attend uOttawa, the credit differential is significant: HL at score 5+ earns six units and clears two required physics courses; SL earns nothing.
Official award line (IB Physics SL):
Minimum score: N/A, no transfer credit granted for any IB SL course
Credit granted: None (Recognized for Admission Only)
For reference, IB Physics HL at score 5 or higher earns
PHY 1121 + PHY 1122
(6 units total).
Completed the Higher Level instead? See our Physics HL page for that award.
Need help preparing for IB Physics SL?
Your Potential Savings
University of Ottawa does not award transfer credit for this subject, so there is no tuition saving to estimate.
📊 Compare Physics SL at Other Universities
See how Physics 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 | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU PHYS 1XX (3) | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | PHYS 124 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | PHYS_V 100 (3 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of WindsorWindsor, ON | 5/7 | PHYS-1300 (Introductory Physics for Life Sciences … | View estimate | → | |
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, 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 ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | N/A | Not yet verified | — | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | 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 | — | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, 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 Physics 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
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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: August 2026
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