Mature Learner Applicants

• Mature Student Admission Policy
• Audit Student
• Senior Citizens
• Unclassified Students

Wilfrid Laurier University values the experience of mature learners. Laurier will consider you a Mature Student under the following circumstances:

• Applicants who do not possess the necessary minimum requirements for admission to the university; and 
• Have been out of full-time high school or college studies for at least two or more years; and
• Have never attended an accredited university

Admission Requirements

Applicants may be considered for admission if they meet the following conditions:

• You left high school without at least six 4U/4M courses (or equivalent) OR
• You graduated from high school with six 4U/M courses (or equivalent) but your overall average falls below 70% OR
• You graduated from high school with six 4U/M courses (or equivalent) and overall average is a minimum of 70% but you do not present a 4U English course (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of 60%
• In all the above cases, you have a two-year (or more) absence from full-time education prior to the first day of classes AND
• You have never attended university

Note that the normal application process must be followed.

Admission Condition:

Mature students are typically considered for admission to part-time studies into a General BA/BSc program without designation when they do not meet the admission criteria to be admitted under another pathway. There are situations where a part-time studies or full-time studies offer to the program of choice may be considered. 

These exceptions can include:

1. College applicants that present an overall average of C+ (69%) or lower with an absence from full-time study of two or more years may be considered for part-time studies in their applied program (if applicable).
2. College applicants that present an overall average of B- (70%) or higher without an English or Communications course with a final grade of 60% (minimum) and with an absence from full-time study of two or more years may be considered for part-time studies in their applied program (if applicable).
3. High school applicants that present a minimum average of 70% based on all available 4U/M courses (or equivalent) to a maximum of six and requiring a minimum of four including program pre-requisite courses at their minimum grades AND with an absence from full-time study of two or more years may be considered for full-time studies in their applied program (if applicable).

Registration Conditions for students admitted on probation:

1.  During the initial period of assessment mature students registered in part-time studies may register in a maximum of 1.5 credit per term.
2. A 4.00 GPA on 4.0 credits only. If this is not achieved, they will be required to withdraw from the university.

Mature Students Transferring from Part-time to Full-time Studies

Mature students in part-time studies that wish to transfer into full-time studies will require a higher academic standing than noted above. The Request for Full-time Studies form is available from Enrolment Services. All Academic Dates can be found here

Audit students do not write midterm or final examinations and will not receive academic credit but may participate in classes to the extent allowed or required by the course instructor. 

Tuition fees are normally half the regular course fee, with a few exceptions where full course fees are applied. Fees are not refundable (see course costs). 

Senior Citizens can be admitted to part-time unclassified studies regardless of their previous academic background. You may register in courses for credit or register as an audit student.  

Applicants 60 years or older may also be admitted to part-time or full-time studies in a degree program. Transcripts from previous post-secondary studies and high school (if applicable) will be required. The normal academic regulations will apply. 

Tuition fees only will be waived for Senior citizens (60 years of age by start date of lectures). Review the application procedures online for senior students and for deadlines. 

If you wish to attend credit courses without working towards the completion of a credential awarded by Laurier, or with the intention of upgrading a previous academic record for future admission to a degree program, you can apply to unclassified studies.  

To become an unclassified student, you must apply and be accepted into the part-time unclassified studies program. Transcripts from all previous post-secondary studies will be required. If no previous post-secondary education was previously completed, high school transcripts will be required.  

Applicants interested in unclassified full-time studies should apply to part-time unclassified studies and can request full-time studies through the Associate Dean with a clear rationale for the request. There is no guarantee the request will be granted.