Add/Drop (Course Change)

Adding and dropping courses takes place throughout the Academic Year. Various deadlines are set and are listed here as well as in the Academic Calendar under sessional dates.

Make sure you understand the consequences of dropping a course:

  • Add/Drop: things to consider for important information you should know
  • How a dropped course will look on your Academic Record (Transcript): 
ACTIONS: RESULTS:
Dropping BEFORE the Add Deadline online through Student Centre Removed from record - like you never added it in the first place.
Dropping AFTER the Add Deadline but BEFORE the Drop Deadline online through Student Centre WDN (withdrawn) shown on record - no academic effect; shows that you added a course and dropped it before the drop deadline.
Dropping AFTER the Drop Deadline by submitting the Course Change Form
via Academic Advising Help Portal		 F (fail) shown on record - will count as a 40% in term/cumulative average calculation.

Notes:

  • If you do not pass a prerequisite in the first term required for a second-term course, you must drop the second-term course or ask for special permission to remain in that course. If you do not drop, you may be removed by the department.
  • If you drop a first-term course that is a prerequisite for a second-term course, you must drop the second-term course
  • If you want a course removed from your transcript, you MUST drop it prior to the add deadline. Keep in mind that a WDN has absolutely no negative effect on your record, so if you miss that first deadline, you can still drop the course, showing as withdrawn on the record.
  • If you have a hold on your account, you cannot drop a course online. You must contact Western Live Chat https://westernchat.uwo.ca/ to discuss your hold and drop the course with them.

Adding or Dropping a Course

  • First Term Courses (September - December)
    • September - Second Week - last day to get special permission (if needed). Must allow time to process before adding/dropping courses online. 
    • September 13, 2024 - Last day to add/drop (to be removed from record) or swap online (11:59 pm EST)
    • December 2, 2024 - Last day to drop a first-term half course (without academic penalty (WDN)); Drop online.
  • Full Course (September - April)
    • September 13, 2024 - Last day to add/drop/swap by web registration
    • December 2, 2024 - Last day to drop a full-year course (without academic penalty); Drop online.
  • Second Term Courses (January - April) 
    • January 9, 2025, 12:00 pm - last day to get special permission (if needed). Must allow time to process before adding/dropping courses online. 
    • January 14, 2025, until 11:59 pm EST - Last day to add/drop/swap online.
    • March 31, 2025, until 11:59 pm EST - Last day to drop a second-term half course without academic penalty online.
  • Summer Courses
    • Dates vary according to the session (i.e. distance, summer day, etc.). Please consult the Academic Calendar.

Note: You are responsible for ensuring that your registration is accurate and complete. Ensure that you have satisfied the academic requirements for your program/module after you have completed any adds or drops. There are financial and transcript implications for dropping courses. For more information, visit the Academic Calendar.

What does a dropped course look like on your record?

  • If you drop before the add deadline, then the course will not show on your record.
  • If you drop between the add deadline and the drop deadline for each term, your course will show as a withdrawn (WDN) on your record.
  • If you drop after the drop deadline period, your course will show up as an F (40%) on your record.

Special Permission

You will need special permission to take an overload, a course without the prerequisite, or a course at an Affiliate College. If special permission is required, you must do so with Academic Advising before adding courses online. See the Special Permission website for the procedure.

Course is full

If the course you want to add is full, keep trying to add it at random times/days through the Student Center.  Departments monitor their enrolments and might add space. Also, you might be adding just as someone drops.  If the course is mandatory for your program, consult the Department Advisor from the department offering the course for advice. 

Tools to Help

Note: If you have not paid your first installment, or if payment arrangements have not been made, your Add/Drop form(s) will not be processed.