Does University of Victoria give transfer credit for IB Physics HL?
Victoria, BC
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
PHYS 102A (1.5 units) and PHYS 102B (1.5 units)
💡Expert's Take
IB Physics HL earns a real, named credit at UVic, but the specific courses awarded are the algebra-based, life sciences physics stream, not the calculus-based sequence required by most science and engineering programs. With a score of 6 or higher, UVic's official IB Transfer Guide grants PHYS 102A (General Physics I, 1.5 units) and PHYS 102B (General Physics II, 1.5 units), 3 units total. That is a meaningful credit award, but whether it actually helps your program depends entirely on which degree you are entering.
PHYS 102A/102B is UVic's algebra-based physics sequence, designed for students in biology, biochemistry, and microbiology. UVic's own Department of Physics and Astronomy is explicit: students intending to take further courses in Physics should enrol in PHYS 110/111 (calculus-based) or PHYS 120/130 (enriched) instead. Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Earth and Ocean Sciences programs all require the calculus-based stream, PHYS 102A/102B does not satisfy those prerequisites. In short, your IB Physics HL credit may cover nothing your program actually requires, even though credit is technically granted.
What to watch for:
- Engineering, Physics, Math, Chemistry, and EOS students: Check your program's first-year physics requirement carefully. If it lists PHYS 110/111 or PHYS 120/130, your PHYS 102A/102B transfer credit does not satisfy it; you will still need to complete the calculus-based sequence.
- Biology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology students: PHYS 102A/102B fits well here. The credit can directly satisfy your program's first-year physics requirement and saves you from repeating material you covered in IB Physics HL.
- The elevated minimum of 6 (versus the standard 4 required for most HL subjects) reflects UVic's higher bar for science courses marked with a double asterisk in the transfer table. A score of 5 earns no credit, this is one of the steeper thresholds in the IB credit framework.
If you are heading into a life sciences program, the credit fits cleanly and you can skip first-year physics entirely. If you are heading into Engineering or a physical sciences degree, be aware that PHYS 102A/102B will likely sit on your transcript as elective credit rather than satisfying a program requirement. It still counts toward your degree unit total and is not worthless, but it will not let you skip PHYS 110 or 111. Confirm exactly how your transfer credit is applied by reviewing your program's requirements in the UVic Undergraduate Calendar before you finalize your first-year registration.
Official award line (Physics HL):
Minimum score: 6 or higher
Credit granted: PHYS 102A (1.5 units) + PHYS 102B (1.5 units) = 3 units total
Need help preparing for IB Physics HL?
Your Potential Savings
Credit Awarded
3.0
UVic units (approx. 6 semester credit hours)
British Columbia Resident
~$218-$297/credit hour
~$1,309 - $1,784
Potential Tuition Value
(Arts and Science to Business)
Out-of-Province
~$218-$297/credit hour
~$1,309 - $1,784
Potential Tuition Value
(Arts and Science to Business)
International
~$1,253-$1,533/credit hour
~$7,515 - $9,197
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by faculty; May 2026 cohort)
*2026-27 tuition-only rates, effective May 2026. Values assume the award replaces tuition you would otherwise pay. Actual cash savings can be $0 under flat-rate or full-time billing unless credit reduces a billed term or time to completion.
📊 Compare Physics HL at Other Universities
See how Physics HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | PHYS 1107 (0.5) & PHYS 1108 (0.5) | View estimate | → | |
| Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebec | 4/7 | 9 transfer credits toward the 120-credit Extended … | View estimate | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | Physics 1280.03 + Physics 1290.03 = 6 credit hours | View estimate | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | PHYS 101 + PHYS 102 (8 credits; B.Sc.Arch. PHYS 10… | View estimate | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | PHYSICS 1A03 + PHYSICS 1AA3 | View estimate | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | Physics 1020 + Physics 1021 | View estimate | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | 5/7 | Transfer credit, grade "T" (unspecified/elective, … | View estimate | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU PHYS 101 (3), Q/B-Sci; SFU PHYS 102 (3), Q/B-S… | View estimate | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | Individual evaluation (HL 5 or higher); no publish… | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | PHYS 124 + PHYS 126 (6 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | PHYS_V 100 (3) + PHYS_V 1st-year level (3) | View estimate | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | Physics 221 (3 units) and Physics 223 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | PHYS 9110 (0.50 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | 4/7 | PHYS 1020: General Physics 1 (3) & PHYS 1030: Gene… | View estimate | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | 6/7 | Fredericton: 1000-level Physics (6ch) Saint John: … | View estimate | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | PHY 1121 + PHY 1122 (6 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | 5/7 | PHYS 109 + PHYS 119 | View estimate | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | PHYS 115.3 + PHYS 117.3 = 6 credit units | View estimate | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | PHY1**H + PHY1**H (1.0 cr, A&S, equivalent to PHY1… | View estimate | → | |
| University of WindsorWindsor, ON | 5/7 | PHYS-1300 + PHYS-1310 (Introductory Physics for Li… | View estimate | → | |
| Western UniversityLondon, ON | 5/7 | Physics 1501A (0.5 cr) + Physics 1502B (0.5 cr) = … | View estimate | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | SC/PHYS 1411 3.0 + SC/PHYS 1412 3.0 (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | N/A | Not yet verified | — | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, 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 HL?
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 Victoria
Related subjects you might be interested in at University of Victoria
Computer Science HL
Chemistry HL
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
Biology HL
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL
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: July 2026
Save Your Transfer Plan
Download a PDF of this transfer credit information for Physics HL at University of Victoria.