What is a Special Student?

Students are designated Special Students if they are enrolled in one or more courses, but are not pursuing a degree. Special Student status is not required to enroll in courses offered through The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. Common reasons for Special Student status in day or evening classes include:

to attempt to qualify for admission to a degree program;

to meet professional association course requirements.

Can I use the courses I take as a Special Student toward my Ryerson degree

A Special Student is eligible for evaluation in the course(s) taken and for a final grade statement from Enrollment Services and Student Fees. Special Students are not eligible to obtain Transfer Credit or a Letter of Permission to study elsewhere. A course taken as a Special Student, which an applicant subsequently applies as transfer credit to a program at Ryerson University, will not be recorded as a graded course nor will it be used in the calculation of the student's Grade Point Average (GPA). See Transfer Credit section. Special Students are subject to the same academic course performance and Standing requirements as students in degree or certificate programs.

How do I become a Special Student?

For application forms, policies and procedures, visit www.ryerson.ca/undergraduateadmission/overiew/special.

Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the final application date for the applicable term. Amendments to applications and supporting documents received after published deadline dates, will be reviewed subject to space availability. Admission is not guaranteed.

How do I enroll in courses once I am admitted as a Special Student?

While approval as a Special Student permits students to attempt to enroll in individual classes, it does not guarantee, and is not meant to guarantee, enrollment in classes or admission, re-admission or re-instatement to a Ryerson program.

Access to classes is subject to approval of the teaching department and availability of space in the selected class(es). Individual faculty members may not grant access to classes.

Prospective Special Students should note that, for some classes, no space will be available to Special Students, as preference is given to students enrolled in a Ryerson degree program.

Special Students are normally permitted to enroll for one to two classes per semester, unless they are studying on a Letter of Permission from another university, or have previously completed a degree from a recognized university.

How long may I study as a Special Student?

Once you have been admitted as a Special Student, you may continue to take courses indefinitely, subject to satisfactory academic performance.

Each term you must go through the enrollment process described above.

Special Students are not eligible to receive government assistance.