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Discovery Credits

The Discovery Course credit option for undergraduate students encourages academic exploration without the fear of decreasing a student’s cumulative or graduating average and supports students in exploring course material outside of their area of study.

Students requesting the Discovery Credit option are expected to fully engage in the requested course of study. Completion of course requirements such as tests, examinations, group work, written submissions, etc. are required in order to be evaluated for a passing grade.

Discovery Credit approvals are done by the registrar’s office and are NOT approved in Academic Advising. This information is just to let students know about them and how to apply for one. There are conditions for acceptance.

At Western, we provide a clearly defined period for the declaration of Discovery Credits, spanning from enrollment until two weeks after the end of term. Due to this generous timeline, we are unable to grant extensions for declaring Discovery Credits. This policy ensures a consistent and equitable standard is maintained for all students. 

Should you encounter extenuating circumstances that prevent you from declaring a Discovery Credit by the stipulated deadline, we encourage you to act promptly. Please submit a written appeal to the Associate Dean (Academic) at aadasci@uwo.ca before the Discovery Credit deadline.  

We strongly urge students to assess their need for declaring Discovery Credits early in the term and to reach out for guidance if unsure. Our aim is to support your academic journey while upholding our commitment to fairness and consistency for all students. 

Subject-specific Exceptions