Does Western University give transfer credit for IB Biology HL?
London, ON
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
Biology 1001A (0.5 cr) + Biology 1002B (0.5 cr) = 1.0 credit
💡Expert's Take
IB Biology HL earns both courses in Western’s first-year Biology sequence, the prerequisite pair that gates entry into senior Biology courses and modules offered by the Department of Biology and the Basic Medical Science Departments. The Biology department states that “the combination of Biology 1001A and 1002B (with appropriate marks) are the prerequisites for senior Biology courses and admission to modules offered by the Department of Biology and the Basic Medical Science Departments.” Module admission for Biology and BMSc-related programs requires a minimum 60% in each course, for example in the Major in Biology.
What to watch for:
- BMSc pathway: IB credit explicitly counts toward Med Sci 2 progression, with one condition. Western’s Med Sci 1 FAQ states that provided you do not repeat the course at Western, the IB transfer credit counts toward progression to Med Sci 2, replacing the 60% mark requirement for that course. If you choose to repeat the course at Western, you must achieve 60% at Western and will lose the IB credit. Note the IB credit will not appear on your official Western transcript.
- Health Sciences with Biology: verify before deciding. The Honours Specialization in Health Sciences with Biology requires a minimum 60% in Biology 1001A and 1002B, and unlike the BMSc FAQ, its program pages do not state whether IB transfer credit satisfies that percentage condition. Confirm with Western Launch advising before deciding whether to use the credit or take the courses for a Western grade.
- Transfer credit applies only to students who complete the full IB Diploma; individual subject certificates do not qualify.
For most students, accepting this credit is straightforward: Biology 1001A and 1002B are large, lab-intensive courses, and clearing both before arrival creates meaningful scheduling flexibility in first year. For BMSc students, using the IB credit is explicitly supported by the Med Sci 1 FAQ; for Health Sciences with Biology, confirm with advising first.
Official award line (IB Biology HL):
Minimum score: 5 or higher
Credit granted: Biology 1001A (0.5 credit) + Biology 1002B (0.5 credit) = 1.0 credit total
Diploma requirement: full IB Diploma, minimum total grade of 27, no mark below 4
Western University – IB Requirements and Transfer Credit Table
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Your Potential Savings
Credit Awarded
0.167
Western credits
Ontario Resident
~$7,260-$14,753/1.0 Western credit
~$1,210 - $2,459
Potential Tuition Value
(Arts to Engineering)
Out-of-Province
~$8,823-$17,929/1.0 Western credit
~$1,470 - $2,988
Potential Tuition Value
International
~$55,332-$74,924/1.0 Western credit
~$9,222 - $12,487
Potential Tuition Value
(varies by faculty)
*2025-26 tuition-only rates (2026-27 not yet posted); full-course tuition divided by 6. 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 Biology HL at Other Universities
See how Biology HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 1103 + BIOL 1104 (1.0 credit) | View estimate | → | |
| Concordia UniversityMontreal, Quebec | 4/7 | 9 transfer credits toward the 120-credit Extended … | View estimate | → | |
| Dalhousie UniversityHalifax, NS | 5/7 | BIOL 1010.03 + BIOL 1011.03 (6 credit hours) | View estimate | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | 5/7 | Biology 1-00 (Unspecified First Year Full Credit) | View estimate | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | Course exemption: BIOL 111 + BIOL 112 (normally 6 … | View estimate | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | BIOLOGY 1A03 and BIOLOGY 1M03 | View estimate | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 5/7 | Biology 1001 + Biology 1002 (6 credit hours) | View estimate | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | 5/7 | Transfer credit, grade "T" (unspecified/elective, … | View estimate | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 102 + BIOL 103 (6.0 units) | View estimate | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 5/7 | SFU BISC 101 (4), B-Sci; SFU BISC 102 (4), B-Sci | View estimate | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | BLG 143 and BLG 144 | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | BIOL 107 (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 6/7 | BIOL_V 1st-year level (8 credits), with exemption … | View estimate | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | Biology 211 (Biomolecules and Cellular Systems) | View estimate | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 1070 (0.50 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | 4/7 | BIOL 1020 (3) + BIOL 1030 (3) | View estimate | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | 5/7 | Saint John: BIOL 1205 Fredericton: BIOL 1001 & BIO… | View estimate | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | BIO 1XXX (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | 5/7 | BIOL 100 + BIOL 101 | View estimate | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | BIOL 120.3 + BIOL Jr.3 = 6 credit units | View estimate | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | BIO1**Y (1.0 credit) | View estimate | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | BIOL 184 (1.5 units) and BIOL 186 (1.5 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | BIOL 239 + BIOL 130L (0.75 units ≈ 1.5 courses) | View estimate | → | |
| University of WindsorWindsor, ON | 5/7 | BIOL-1101 + BIOL-1111 (Cell Biology + Biological D… | View estimate | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | SC/BIOL 1000 3.0 + SC/BIOL 1001 3.0 (6 credits) | View estimate | → |
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 Biology 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 Western University
Related subjects you might be interested in at Western University
Chemistry HL
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL
Physics HL
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL
Psychology HL
Data Disclaimer
This information is compiled from Western University 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
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