Classification of Students
Students are classified in accordance with their preparation for graduate work and the type of graduate work proposed.
- Fully-Qualified Student. An applicant who has an honours baccalaureate or a 4-year degree with a minimum performance of 70%, or its equivalent from this or another accredited university, who intends to take graduate studies in a field closely related to the baccalaureate is fully qualified to proceed directly into a graduate program. Applicants with an overall average below the minimum may be considered for this category if their average over the last two complete years is 75% or more. Only fully-qualified students are eligible to hold funding provided by FGSR.
- Qualifying Student. A student with an acceptable academic record, but with less than the equivalent of a 4-year degree in the field in which graduate training is sought, or a student with a 4-year degree who needs additional undergraduate courses in the area of specialization. This category will not be used for a student with a poor academic record or for students from the University of Regina with less than a 4-year degree. It is expected that the required qualifying work will be completed within one calendar year. A student may take graduate courses in parallel with the required undergraduate courses if the prerequisites have been satisfied. Qualifying courses may not be credited towards graduate degree programs at the University of Regina.
- Probationary Student. A student whose academic qualifications are difficult to assess, or are marginal for admission to a graduate program. A student in this category may be required to perform satisfactorily in a number of courses specified by the home academic unit before being reviewed and judged fully-qualified. Probationary courses may be credited toward the degree program.
- Non-Degree Student. A student with an eligible academic record who wishes to take a limited number of specified graduate courses for professional development. The application must be accompanied by a brief letter of intent outlining the purpose for taking the courses, official transcripts, and one official letter of reference. Non-Degree students are afforded the opportunity to register in up to four (4) approved courses over a period of one year, or the completion of the specified courses, whichever occurs first. The start point for the one-year completion date is the semester directly following the issuance of the acceptance letter. Students who have not completed the prescribed courses may make a formal request for an extension, justifying the reasons why an extension may be warranted. Non-degree students who withdraw or whose time limit expires, and have yet to complete the original set of approved courses, may request reinstatement, providing the original application as a non-degree student is not more than three years old and progress in previous non-degree courses is deemed satisfactory. If the application is older than three years, a new application will be required. Following the termination of status as a non-degree student, for subsequent admission in this category, a new application must be submitted. Acceptance requires that the applicant’s previous record is satisfactory, and that the academic unit is able to accommodate the request. Courses taken as a non degree student do not transfer to graduate programs at this institution although the student may be granted advanced standing if the student pursues further education here.
- Visiting Students. Visiting Students
are in one of three categories: visiting in conjunction
with a formal transfer agreement; by a letter of permission;
by a formal exchange agreement.
Visiting Graduate Research Student. Research has become increasingly interdisciplinary and networked, and as well, research equipment has become more specialized and costly. Accordingly, graduate students from one university may seek opportunities to spend time at another university in order to complete or enhance their research. The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) encourages graduate student mobility nationally and internationally in order to foster the exchange of ideas, specialized training, research collaboration, and interdisciplinarity.
The visiting graduate research student category is available to graduate students who are enrolled in a degree program at an accredited university. Students register in GRST 995AG each semester, and other than incidental fees, including the $600 fee for international students, no other fees apply. Visiting graduate research students will be afforded access to basic research services and to basic student services. Access to health and other benefits plans, transit passes, etc. will need to be arranged separately.
Please note that visiting graduate research students may not enroll in, or audit, courses at the University during their stay.
Application and Admission:
An accredited faculty member at the University of Regina must agree to supervise and take responsibility for the visiting graduate research student during his/her stay. It is the responsibility of the prospective visiting student to find a supervisor who is willing to host the stay. A research plan along with a letter of permission from the home institution and confirmation that the applicant is an enrolled graduate student must be part of the application materials. Application is made to the prospective supervisor who in turn seeks approval from the head of the academic unit, and the corresponding Dean of the faculty as may apply. The Visiting Graduate Student Research Application Form and corresponding materials (including all required approval) are then sent to the FGSR office for processing.
Notes:- There should be written agreements between the visiting graduate research students, home supervisors and host supervisors concerning issues such as intellectual property, stipend and benefits, travel costs, access to research equipment and supplies, research ethics, space etc.
- Admission as a visiting graduate research student is at the discretion of the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
- The category of visiting graduate research student is not intended to replace any existing arrangements between institutions.
