Prerequisites

What is a prerequisite? 

• A prerequisite is a requirement that must be on your student file before you can register into some courses.
• A prerequisite may be a secondary or post-secondary course, a test, or departmental permission.
• Unless otherwise noted, a minimum "C-" or "S" grade in the prerequisite course is required.  

Where do I find prerequisites? 

You can find prerequisites under the 'Admissions' tab of the Program or Course listing. 

Meet prerequisites before you register 

• The College reserves the right to cancel the registration in a course for a student who does not have the required prerequisite.
• When you register, the system will search your file for required prerequisites. If it does not find the required prerequisite, you will not be able to register for the course.
• If you are currently registered into a Langara course that is the prerequisite for the course you want to register into, the system will use that course as the prerequisite.
• You will need to check your registrations after final grades are run for the current semester. If you have not met the minimum grade requirement, you will be dropped from your requested course on the date indicated on the Important Dates page.

Types of Prerequisites

Courses, both secondary and post-secondary

• Mathematics, statistics, chemistry, and computer science courses are valid for only three years.
• Transfer credit from other post-secondary institutions must be requested at least 10 weeks before registration starts. You must apply for transfer credit; it is not automatically entered on your file. Download Transfer Credit Request Form.
• BC secondary school courses are entered into your file upon receipt of your official transcript.

Departmental Permission

• If you believe you have the prerequisite for a course but do not have the prerequisite on your file, you may contact the department to request departmental permission to register.
• In some instances, departments need to speak with the student regarding their educational background to determine eligibility for registration into the course.

Diagnostic Tests

• To meet prerequisite requirements for some courses, you may be required to write a placement or diagnostic test.
• Placement/diagnostic tests must be taken at least seven days in advance of registration.
• We offer Diagnostic tests in English, Math & Statistics, and Physics.
• Visit Diagnostic Tests to learn more.

Secondary School Equivalency

• Canadian secondary school courses: If you would like to use secondary school courses completed within a Canadian provincial curriculum to meet prerequisite requirements (including Canadian off-shore schools), submit your official secondary-school transcript to Registrar & Enrolment Services. For information on submitting transcripts, please see the After you Apply page.
• Secondary school courses taken in a province outside of BC may be added to your file to meet prerequisite requirements. If you have any questions regarding how your high school courses may meet the prerequisite requirements, please contact Langara Admissions at domesticadvisor@langara.ca (domestic students) or ieadmissions@langara.ca (international students).
• Secondary school courses completed outside of Canada: Secondary school courses completed outside of Canada cannot be added to your file to be used for prerequisites. If you believe your educational background meets the prerequisite requirements for a course, please contact the department to discuss what options are available to you.

International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement

Official International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement transcripts must be submitted to the Registrar & Enrolment Services office for equivalency evaluation. Please visit the Transfer Credit page for more information.