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:

dropping before add deadline done ONLINE through Student Centre : removed from record - like you never added it in the first place
dropping after add deadline but before drop deadline  done on Student Centre : WDN - withdrawn - no academic effect - just shows that you added a course and dropped it before the drop deadline
dropping after drop deadline done by submitting the  Course Change Form (.pdf)
via Academic Advising Help Portal : 		 F - fail - will count as a 40% in your term/cumulative averages

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, 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 a WDN has absolutely no negative effect on your record – so if you miss that first deadline you can still drop with the course showing as withdrawn on the record.
  • If you have a hold on your account, you ca not 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 (Sept. - Dec.)
    • September - Second Week - last day to get  special permission  (if needed). Must allow time to process before add/drop online. 
    • September 13, 2024 - Last day to add/drop (to be removed from record)/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 (Sept. - 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 (Jan. - April) 
    • January 9, 2025 12:00 pm - last day to get  special permission  (if needed). Must allow time to process before add/drop 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   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  of 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.