Does University of Ottawa give transfer credit for IB Psychology SL?
Ottawa, ON
Recognized for Admission Only
This course meets admission requirements but does not grant transfer credits.
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
None, SL not eligible for transfer credit
💡Expert's Take
Psychology SL earns no transfer credit at uOttawa. The university's IB policy is explicit: only Higher Level (HL) courses are assessed for advanced standing. Standard Level courses across all IB subjects, Psychology included, are recognized for admission purposes only.
The HL version of this subject tells a meaningfully different story. IB Psychology HL with a score of 5 or higher awards PSY 1101 + PSY 1102 (6 units) to students enrolled in the BSc or BA in Psychology. Students in any other program receive PSY 1101 only (3 units). This program-dependent split is uncommon in uOttawa's IB table and worth noting if you're considering a psychology-focused degree path.
Either way, none of that applies here: SL earns nothing. The credits above are cited purely as context for students deciding between SL and HL.
What to watch for:
- Admission recognition ≠ transfer credit. Your SL Psychology result can still support your application, uOttawa does consider IB performance in admissions, but it will not reduce your course load or satisfy any degree requirement once you arrive.
- The 18-unit HL cap. uOttawa caps IB transfer credit at 18 units across all HL subjects combined. If you also hold HL credits in other subjects, your Psychology HL credit (had you taken it) would count against that ceiling.
If you're still in the IB program and have the option to move Psychology to HL, the credit case is clear, especially if you plan to major or minor in psychology, where the full PSY 1101 + PSY 1102 award directly satisfies introductory requirements. If you're already locked into SL, focus your energy on any HL subjects that do have strong credit equivalencies at uOttawa; Psychology SL won't contribute to your transfer credit total regardless of your score.
Official award line (IB Psychology SL):
Minimum score: N/A, Standard Level not eligible for transfer credit
Credit granted: None (recognized for admission purposes only)
For reference, IB Psychology HL: minimum score 5 · awards PSY 1101 + PSY 1102 (Psychology programs) or PSY 1101 only (all other programs)
Completed the Higher Level instead? See our Psychology HL page for that award.
Need help preparing for IB Psychology SL?
Your Potential Savings
University of Ottawa does not award transfer credit for this subject, so there is no tuition saving to estimate.
📊 Compare Psychology SL at Other Universities
See how Psychology 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 | Psychology 1000 + 1001 | View estimate | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU PSYC 1XX (3) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | CSA | Not listed in UBC's non-exhaustive IB table; asses… | 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 ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | N/A | Not yet verified | — | → | |
| 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 Psychology 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
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
Save Your Transfer Plan
Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for Psychology SL at University of Ottawa.