Special Student status is normally granted for one of two reasons: (1) to allow university graduates to upgrade their skills or knowledge and (2) to allow students who are currently enrolled in programs at other universities to take courses that they cannot access at their home institutions. Special Student status is not an entry point into Ryerson programs. To find out about applying to Ryerson programs of study, please visit the Admissions webpage.

Please note: Students with Required to Withdraw standing (or equivalent) from any university do not qualify for Special Student status in this Faculty.

Application Procedure

1. Download and complete the FoS Special Student Permission Form.

2. Request approval from the Program Director of the department that offers the course(s) you wish to take. (See our contacts below.) You must provide the Program Director with a written rationale for your request and appropriate documentation; e.g.,

a. Letter of Permission from your current post-secondary institution;

b. Letter of Academic Evaluation from a licensing body (e.g. Professional Engineers of Ontario);

c. Letter from a Graduate Program Director recommending qualifying courses for potential admission to a specific graduate program;

Other documentation that demonstrates your eligibility as a candidate for Special Student status may also be accepted at the Program Director’s discretion.

3.  If your request is approved, the Program Director will sign and date Section A of the Permission Form. You must complete Section B. The Program Director will retain a copy of the completed form and accompanying documentation for their records and forward a copy to the Associate Dean.

NOTE:  Special Students may be denied access to courses if the Associate Dean determines they have been abusing the system.

4. If you are already admitted as a Special Student from a previous term, and have not had 6 or more consecutive terms without enrolment, you may skip step 5 and proceed to "Enrolling in Courses" below. Otherwise, proceed with step 5.

5.  If you do not currently have Special Student status you must access the Ryerson application from the Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment webpage. Read the application instructions and follow the steps for creating an account and completing the application form. Select program choice: “Special” and program code, SSS. Submit your application electronically as instructed.

Submit the completed FoS Permission Form to Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment, Room POD 144. Remember to keep a photocopy for yourself: it is required for the enrolment process.

Enrolling in Courses

Once you have accepted your Offer of Admission, you may visit the program department during the enrolment period to enrol in the approved course(s). The program department will need to see your FoS Permission Form before they can enrol you in any courses. Special Student enrolments depend on course availability and cannot be finalized until after the regular program students have been served. Enrolment is not guaranteed for Special Students.

Questions?

Please contact Rose Tam at rosetam@ryerson.ca;  416-979-5000 ext 4224.