Universities and University Colleges

In Nova Scotia credit transfer to and from universities and colleges is managed by each individual institution according to the rules and regulations of the institution. Requests from students moving between universities or between university and college, are usually reviewed by the Registrar's Office to determine if the same credits have been accepted for transfer in the past. Where no previous equivalency has been established, individual courses are reviewed by faculty and senior academic staff to determine if the course can be accepted for transfer. Evaluation takes into consideration many factors, including: content, level, evaluation component, instruction and/or lab time, currency and program relevancy. The final decision on which credits, what equivalencies and how credits will be assigned is made by the institution to which the credits are being transferred. A new online tool that allows students to identify possible credit transfer equivalencies between Nova Scotia's public universities and colleges is available.

All universities in Nova Scotia are signatories to the Pan-Canadian Protocol on the Transferability of University Credits, which ensures that all course work completed at the undergraduate level during the first two years of university will be recognized and fully transferrable for the purposes of granting a degree provided the student is admitted to the program, the courses are applicable to the program, and the grades meet the minimum acceptable standards of the receiving institution's program.

Articulation agreements are in place between some Nova Scotia universities and the province's community college for specific two-year college diploma and three and four-year university degree programs. Through these agreements, students who complete the specified diploma at the college may apply for admission with advanced standing directly into the third year of study in the specified degree program at the university; enabling the student to complete both a diploma and a degree in three or four years. The articulation agreements are regularly reviewed to ensure relevancy and equivalencies are maintained.

In June 2009, the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) and the Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium (APCCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide a means for students to transfer among the region's public community colleges and universities to support the objectives that students should not have to repeat formal learning experiences, and increase student mobility.

Colleges

In July 2000 the public colleges of the four Atlantic Provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) signed an MOU to "maximize the recognition and transfer of learning acquired through formal education, workplace training, and work and life experience." In accordance with this MOU, member colleges have agreed to transfer equivalent credits for all courses to approved programs delivered by other member institutions.

Credit transfers between Nova Scotia's community colleges other Atlantic community colleges and universities are considered by program and Registrar's Office staff on a course-by-course basis that includes such factors as a review of course content, student evaluation methods, and currency.

In June 2009, the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) and the Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium (APCCC) signed an MOU to provide a means for students to transfer among the region's public community colleges and universities to support the objectives that students should not have to repeat formal learning experiences, and increase student mobility.