Does Western University give transfer credit for IB English A: Language and Literature HL?
London, ON
Yes, Transfer Credit Available!
Minimum Grade Required
Credit Granted
English 1020E (1.0 credit)
💡Expert's Take
This is a named, full 1.0-credit English course that clears the first-year prerequisite for upper-year English study, with one structural caveat. Western awards English 1020E (Understanding Literature Today) for IB English A HL; both the Language and Literature and Literature variants appear under the same “HL English A” entry, and IB English B is not eligible for any transfer credit at Western. Although English 1020E carries the essay-course “E” suffix, Western's graduation policy specifies that essay-designated courses must be completed at Western: IB and AP transfer credits do not satisfy the 2.0 essay-course graduation requirement.
English 1020E satisfies the prerequisite for many upper-year English courses, which commonly require at least 60% in 1.0 of English 1020-1999. For students planning an English module, the IB credit likely satisfies this component, but since IB transfer credits are not awarded a percentage grade, confirm how the credit is recorded with a Western Launch advisor once the transfer credit assessment is finalized.
What to watch for:
- The enriched track (English 1022E) is closed. English 1022E is an antirequisite to English 1020E: once you hold English 1020E credit, you cannot also take 1022E for credit. Students who intended to pursue the enriched track should discuss this with an advisor before their credit assessment is finalized.
- Repeating forfeits the credit. Western's policy states that a student who takes a first-year course at Western for which they hold IB transfer credit forfeits that credit and must achieve the required mark in the Western course. Repeating 1020E to consolidate writing skills is therefore not risk-free.
Students interested in English can redirect first year toward 2000-level English courses, breadth requirements, or courses that build toward their intended module, rather than repeating content they have already covered.
Official award line (IB English A: Language and Literature HL):
Minimum score: 5 or higher
Credit granted: English 1020E, 1.0 credit
Applies to both IB English A variants (Language and Literature; Literature).
Requires full IB Diploma (HL individual certificates are not eligible).
Western University – International Baccalaureate 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 English A: Language and Literature HL at Other Universities
See how English A: Language and Literature HL transfer credits compare across Canadian universities. Click column headers to sort.
| University | Min Grade | Credit Granted | Tuition Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carleton UniversityOttawa, ON | 5/7 | ENGL 1XXX (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 | ENGL 1991W.03 + ENGL 1992W.03 = 6 credit hours | View estimate | → | |
| Lakehead UniversityThunder Bay, ON | 5/7 | English 1115 and Arts 1-10* (*Unspecified First Ye… | View estimate | → | |
| McGill UniversityMontreal, QC | 5/7 | ENGL 1XX (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| McMaster UniversityHamilton, ON | 5/7 | ENGLISH 1XXX (6 units) | View estimate | → | |
| Memorial University of NewfoundlandSt. John's, NL | 4/7 | St. John's: ENGL 1090 + ENGL 1191 Grenfell: Englis… | View estimate | → | |
| Ontario Tech UniversityOshawa, ON | 5/7 | Transfer credit, grade "T" (unspecified/elective, … | View estimate | → | |
| Simon Fraser UniversityBurnaby, BC | 4/7 | SFU ENGL 111 (3), ENGL 1XX (3) or WL 102 (3), WL 1… | View estimate | → | |
| Toronto Metropolitan UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | 2 Language LLS | View estimate | → | |
| University of AlbertaEdmonton, AB | 6/7 | C LIT 100-level (3 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of British ColumbiaVancouver, BC | 5/7 | ENGL_V 1st-year level (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of CalgaryCalgary, Alberta | 5/7 | 3 units junior English | View estimate | → | |
| University of GuelphGuelph, ON | 5/7 | HUMN 9110 (0.50 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ManitobaWinnipeg, MB | 4/7 | ENGL 1200 Representative Literary Works | View estimate | → | |
| University of OttawaOttawa, ON | 5/7 | ENG 1100 + ENG 1120 (6 units) | View estimate | → | |
| University of ReginaRegina, SK | 5/7 | ENGL 100 + ENGL 110 | View estimate | → | |
| University of SaskatchewanSaskatoon, SK | 5/7 | ENG 110.6 = 6 credit units | View estimate | → | |
| University of TorontoToronto, ON | 5/7 | ENG1**Y (St. George/UTM); ENGA**H + ENGA**H (UTSC) | View estimate | → | |
| University of VictoriaVictoria, BC | 4/7 | ENSH 101 (1.5 units) and 100-level ATWP course (1.… | View estimate | → | |
| University of WaterlooWaterloo, ON | 5/7 | ENGL 1XX (0.5 units), elective credit | View estimate | → | |
| University of WindsorWindsor, ON | 5/7 | ENGL-1xxx (1st Year English Course) | View estimate | → | |
| York UniversityToronto, ON | 5/7 | AP/EN 1001 3.0 + AP/EN 1002 3.0 (6 credits) | View estimate | → | |
| Queen's UniversityKingston, ON | N/A | No transfer credit | — | → | |
| University of New BrunswickFredericton & Saint John, NB | N/A | Not yet verified | — | → |
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 English A: Language and Literature HL?
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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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