Does University of Victoria give transfer credit for IB English A: Literature HL?
Victoria, BC
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
ENSH 101 (1.5 units) and ENSH 102 (1.5 units)
💡Expert's Take
English A: Literature HL earns two full first-year English courses at UVic, and both satisfy the university-wide Academic Writing Requirement. UVic awards ENSH 101 (1.5 units) and ENSH 102 (1.5 units) for a score of 4 or higher, a combined 3 units of named English credit, not generic elective credit.
The critical detail here is the AWR designation. UVic imposes an Academic Writing Requirement on every undergraduate degree, a writing-intensive English course that students in any program must satisfy before graduating. Both ENSH 101 (Themes in Literature) and ENSH 102 (Literature in Action) carry the AWR tag. Arriving with both means you have definitively cleared that requirement before you set foot on campus, regardless of what you plan to major in.
This matters more than it might appear: UVic explicitly warns transfer students that not all English credits transferred from elsewhere count toward the AWR. IB credit for this course sidesteps that ambiguity entirely, the award is directly into AWR-tagged courses.
What to watch for:
- English Major applicants get a head-start on Year 1. The BA English program worksheet requires "one of ENSH 101, ENSH 102, or ENSH 103" in Year 1. This IB credit ticks that box and frees up 3 units for 200-level coursework right away.
- The minimum score of 4 is UVic's standard (lowest) HL threshold, no asterisk appears beside this subject in the official table, meaning it is not held to the stricter 5 or 6 minimums that apply to some sciences and technology subjects. A solid IB result is all that's required.
- Only HL is eligible. UVic's IB credit policy covers Higher Level courses only. Standard Level English A: Literature does not qualify for transfer credit at UVic.
Accept this credit without hesitation. The AWR is a degree-wide bottleneck that catches students in science, business, and social science just as often as humanities students, clearing it on arrival eliminates scheduling friction in first year. Unlike some transfer credits that grant a generic "1XX elective," both ENSH 101 and ENSH 102 are named, catalogued courses with concrete value inside the ENSH curriculum. There is no strategic reason to decline.
Official award line (English A: Literature HL):
Minimum score: 4 or higher
Credit granted:
ENSH 101 (1.5 units) and
ENSH 102 (1.5 units), 3 units total
Both courses carry UVic's Academic Writing Requirement (AWR) designation.
UVic International Baccalaureate Transfer Guide 2026–27 (official PDF)
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Your Potential Savings
Credits Earned
3
Tuition per Credit*
~$185
Est. Savings*
~$555
*Tuition rates are approximate and may vary by academic year, faculty, and program. Always verify with University of Victoria's official sources before making decisions.
📊 Compare English A: Literature HL at Other Universities
See how English A: Literature HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Est. Savings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | ENGL 1XX (6 credits) | $2,520 | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | English 1015.03 + English 1025.03 = 6 credit hours… | $2,052 | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | ENG 110.6 = 6 credit units | $1,554 | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | English 1020E (1.0 credit) | $1,440 | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | ENG 1100 + ENG 1120 (6 units) | $1,320 | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 5/7 | ENGL 100-level (6 units) | $1,302 | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 5/7 | ENGL_V 1st-year level (6 credits) | $1,242 | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | ENGLISH 1XXX (6 units) | $1,200 | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | ENGL 1080 (0.50 credits) | $720 | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | ENG1**Y (1.0 credit) | $659 | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | 3 units junior English | $597 | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | ENGL 1XX (0.5 units) — Elective credit | $450 | → |
Tip: Different provinces have different tuition rates. Use these comparisons to find the best value for your residency status.
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Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from University of Victoria 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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