The Visiting Graduate Student Plan allows a graduate student of an Ontario university (Home University) to take graduate courses at another Ontario university (Host University) while remaining registered at his/her own university. The plan allows the student to bypass the usual application for admission procedures and resultant transfer of credit difficulties. The student pays their normal fees to his/her Home University and is classed as a 'Visiting Graduate Student' at the Host University where he/she pays no fees.

Admission

The student completes an Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Application which he/she must obtain from the graduate office of his/her Home University. On this form he/she must indicate the course(s) to be taken and the term during which the course is offered at the Host University. Admission is not complete until the form has been approved (signed) by the Department Chair and Graduate Dean of both the Home University and the Host University. University of Guelph students can use our OVGS form [1] to complete approved courses at other Ontario universities. 

Courses

The course(s) selected must be at the graduate level and required for the student's degree program. Such courses may not be 'extra' or 'audit' courses for the student. The student is subject to any regulations of his/her Home University with respect to the maximum number of courses which may be taken at another Ontario university. Students may not complete more than half of their prescribed course requirements outside of the University of Guelph, either through Letter of Permission (outside of Ontario), OVGS (within Ontario) or advanced credit transfer procedures.

Enrolment/Registration

Once the approved application form is received by the graduate office of the Host University, the student is considered registered and enrolled in the course(s) for the term(s) indicated on the form. The Visiting Graduate Student will be reported as enrolled at his/her Home University. The student must pay fees to his/her Home University for the term(s) during which the course takes place.

Transfer of Credit

By virtue of approval of the Visiting Graduate Student application form by the Home University Department Chair and Graduate Dean, the Home University agrees to credit work done at the Host University towards the student's degree program, assuming suitable standing is obtained by the student.

Residence

Time spent as a Visiting Graduate Student is credited to the residence requirement at the student's Home University by virtue of his/her registration during that time period, subject to the regulations of the Home University.

Reporting of Marks

It is the responsibility of the student to arrange to have an official record (e.g. an official transcript, where possible) sent by the Host University to the Graduate Dean at the Home University as soon as the final mark is available. The student is required to pay any costs connected with this service (e.g. transcript charges). An interim report may be provided by the Host University in the form of a signed memorandum by the Instructor of the course. Failure to meet this responsibility may result in the student being assigned a failing grade for the course(s) at the Home University.

Withdrawal from Course(s)

An official withdrawal for is available in all Graduate Studies offices for Ontario Visiting Graduate Student. It is the responsibility of the student to notify both the Host University Graduate Dean and the Home University Graduate Dean of his/her withdrawal at the earliest possible date by completion of the appropriate form in duplicate. The official withdrawal date is that pertaining to the Host University. Students are required to submit the Notification of Withdrawal Form . Failure to notify both Deans of withdrawal may result in the student being assigned a failing grade for the course. University of Guelph students can use the OVGS Withdraw form [2] when needing to withdraw from a register OVGS course.

Responsibilities of the Visiting Graduate Student

    To ensure that the Visiting Graduate Student application form is completed and submitted to the Department Chair of his/her Home University prior to the beginning date of the course(s).
    To ensure that a Notification of Withdrawal from Course(s) form is filed with the Graduate Dean of the Home University and the Host University at the earliest possible date should he/she decide to drop a course at the Host University (see above).
    To arrange to have an official record of his/her final mark sent to the Graduate Dean of his/her Home University as soon as the final results of the course(s) are known.

Home University - Department Chair and Graduate Dean

By signing a Visiting Graduate Student application form, you certify that the student:

    is pursuing a graduate degree as indicated on the form,
    is in good standing at your university,
    requires the specified course(s),
    will receive course credit for the course (providing suitable standing is obtained).

Host University - Department Chair and Graduate Dean

By signing a Visiting Graduate Student application form, you certify that:

    the course(s) specified will be offered during the term(s) indicated,
    the student will be assured a place in the course,
    the student will be identified as a 'Visiting Graduate Student' and will not be reported for formula entitlement (MCTU).

Host University - Accounts Office or Comptroller

A copy of the approved Visiting Graduate Student application form will be submitted to this office. The accounts office (or comptroller) will bill the Home University to the amount of:

    $1,100 per half course
    $2,200 per full course (fees effective from September 1988)

It is required that such billing take place after the MCTU reporting date for the term concerned and that all billings for Visiting Graduate Student to a specific Home University be issued in bulk.