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International Baccalaureate (IB) applicants

Dal opportunities for IB students

Discover Dalhousie's admission requirements for International Baccalaureate (IB) students. Learn about course equivalencies, scholarships, and how to apply. Explore pathways and upgrade your education at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

See IB general entrance requirements Review IB transfer credit table
Students chatting on the seats of the Wickwire field Recruitment Campaign 2021

Admission requirements

As an IB student, you must meet our general entrance requirements. If you are completing the IB Diploma you need at least 26 points (including bonus points) for admission.

IB applicants whose schools did not hold exams in May or November 2021 will be assessed using the course grades established in place of their exam results. Applications will not be affected.

University credit for IB courses

Select IB higher level courses, completed with a result of 5, 6 or 7, are eligible for transfer credit consideration. For TOK, a grade of C is required to be eligible for transfer credit.  Please see the table below for a list of the IB transfer credits that ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøcurrently offers.

Please note: the degree requirements of their program may impact the transfer credits a student receives.

IB equivalent general entrance requirements

IB course

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøequivalent

English 12

IB English SL or HL

Academic Math 12

Students graduating high school in 2020 or earlier
IB Math (SL or HL) or
IB Math Studies

Students graduating high school in 2021 or later
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL) or
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (SL or HL)

Pre-Calculus 12

Students graduating high school in 2020 or earlier
IB Math (SL or HL)

Students graduating high school in 2021 or later
Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL or HL) or
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation (SL or HL)

Chemistry 12

IB Chemistry SL or HL

Physics 12

IB Physics SL or HL

Biology 12

IB Biology SL or HL

How to request IB transfer credits

Please note: Transfer credits are subject to change. Due to degree requirements, students in the Bachelor of Engineering program are eligible to receive a maximum of 12 credit hours of transfer credits. Please contact transfercredits@dal.ca or speak to an academic advisor for more information.

IB high level course

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøequivalent

Amharic A Literature

ASSC 1999.06

Arabic A: Language and Literature

ASSC 1999.06

Arabic A1

Arabic 3031.03

Arabic A2

Arabic 2999.06 (elective)

Arabic B

Arabic 1021.03 and 1022.03

Biology

Biology 1010.03 and 1011.03

Chemistry

Chemistry 1011.03/1012.03 or 1021.03/1022.03 or 1041.03/1042.03

Chinese A1

ASSC 1999.06

Chinese B

Chinese 1031.03 and 1032.03

Computer Science

Computer Science 1100.03 and 1101.03

Economics

Economics 1101.03 and 1102.03

English A Literature

English 1015.03 & 1025.03 (Halifax Campus) or English 1000.03 & 1001.03 (Truro Campus)

English A Lang & Literature

ENGL 1991W.03 and ENGL 1992W.03

Film

Theatre 1999.06 (elective)

French A: Lang & Literature

ASSC 1999.06 (elective)

French A1

French 2999.06 (elective)

French A2

French 2999.06 (elective)

French B

French 1047.03 and 1048.03

Geography

Geography 1030.03 and Geography 1035.03

German A: Literature

ASSC 1999.06 (elective) 

German

German 1003.03 and 1004.03

Global Politics

Political Science 1060.03 and 1065.03

History: Aspects of the History of Medieval Europe and the Islamic World

History 1999.06 (elective)

History: Aspects of the History of Africa

History 1999.06 (elective)

History: Aspects of the History of the Americas

History 1701.03 and 1702.03

History: Aspects of the History of Asia and Oceania

History 1999.06 (elective)

History: Aspects of the History of Europe and the Middle East

History 1999.06 (elective)

Indonesian Language B

ASSC 1999L.06

Information Technology in a Global Society

Computer Science 1200.03 and 1999.03

Italian B

Italian 2000.03 and 2001.03

Japanese A: Language and Literature

ASSC 1999.06 (elective)

Korean A: Literature

ASSC 1999.06 (elective)

LAO A: Literature

ASSC 1999.06 (elective)

Latin

Classics 2401.03 and 2402.03

Mandarin B

Chinese 1031.03 and 1032.03

Mathematics

Students graduating high school in 2020 or earlier
With a grade of 5 or higher: Math 1000.03 and Math 1010.03 (will also fulfill Math 1212 or Math 1280 requirements) 

Students graduating high school in 2021 or later
With a grade of 5: Math 1000.03 and Math 1010.03 (will also fulfill Math 1212 or Math 1280 requirements) 

With a grade of 6 or higher: Math 1000.03 and Math 1010.03 (Bachelor of Engineering students will receive Math 1280 and Math 1290)

Mathematics Analysis and Approaches

Math 1000.03 and Math 1010.03

Music

Music 1003.03 and 1004.03 (students may consult department for Music 1201.03 and 1202.03)

Philosophy

Philosophy 1500.03 and 1501.03

Physics

Physics 1280.03 and 1290.03

Psychology

Psychology 1011.03 and 1012.03

Sociology & Cultural Anthropology

SOSA 1002.03 and 1999.03 (general elective)

Spanish

Spanish 1021.03 and 1022.03

Sports, Exercise and Health Science

Anatomy 1010.03 and Kinesiology 1991.03 (elective)

Swedish B

ASSC 1999.06 (elective)

Theatre

Theatre 1999.06 (elective)

Turkish A: Literature

ASSC 1999.06 (elective)

Theory of Knowledge

Philosophy 2999.06 (elective)

Transfer credit is not offered for:

  • IB Art History
  • Business Management
  • English A2
  • Visual Arts

  1. Confirm your offer of admission by paying your admission deposit.

  2. Complete the . You can submit your completed form before your final exam results are available. Transfer credits will be listed as pending on your academic record until an official IB diploma or certificate is received.

  3. Once your IB diploma or certificate becomes available, arrange to have it sent to Dalhousie's Registrar’s Office directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Transcripts submitted by a student’s high school are not sufficient for IB transfer credit consideration.

Please note: If you have completed post-secondary academic work, in addition to IB courses, please visit Transfer credits for more information about how to submit a request form.

Deadlines: Transfer credit request forms and must be submitted before you complete your first semester at Dalhousie.

Processing time: 4-6 weeks

IB scholarships

IB diploma candidates are eligible for IB scholarships, along with general entrance awards for future undergraduate students. To be considered, students must submit anticipated IB grades.

Discover entrance awards and scholarships

Ready to apply?

You can submit your application as early as October 15 of your grade 12 year. An early offer of admission means you can get a head start on your next steps, like applying for scholarships and residence.

Learn more about how to apply