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Auditing Courses

If a student wishes to attend a class without receiving academic credit, they can apply to be an audit student. Audit students do not write exams, but may otherwise participate in classes.

The enrolment procedure for auditing courses depends on your status as a student: current, former, or perspective Laurier student.

Current and Former Laurier Students

Students who have previously attended Laurier must follow these steps: 

  1. Ensure a registration time ticket (this can be determined on LORIS). 
    • After graduation or sequential terms of inactivity, the system does not roll forward a students registration time ticket.  In this case, if a student would like to re-register, they will need to either submit a 'Program Selection Form' (for students who have been away from Laurier for less than 18 months and haven't taken any other post-secondary courses) or a 'Request for Re-registration Form' (for students who have been away for longer than 18 months and/or have taken courses at another institution).
  2. Students must get permission from the faculty to audit courses.  Please reach out to the department or faculty member directly for this.
  3. Once permission is gained (E.g. e-mail approval from an instructor), register in the course in LORIS to reserve your spot.
  4. Once registered, submit the online Audit Course Form with your faculty permission digitally attached.
  5. Approved students will be registered in the course as an audit student.  
  6. Pay any associated fees by the invoiced due date.  

Prospective Laurier Students

Prospective students who have never attended Laurier must follow these steps:

  1. First create an OUAC account and apply to and be accepted into part-time studies.
  2. Once admitted to the university, students must get permission from the faculty to audit courses.  Please reach out to the department or faculty member directly for this.
  3. Once permission is gained (E.g. e-mail approval from an instructor), register in the course in LORIS to reserve your spot.
  4. Once registered, submit the Audit Course Form and ensure your the faculty permission is attached..  
  5. Approved students will be registered in the course as an audit student.  
  6. Pay any associated fees by the invoiced due date.

Note: It is advised that persepective Laurier students would like to audit a course review the process for applying as a part-time audit student.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from being registered in a course for credit to being an audit student in that course?

Yes. The deadline to change status is the same as the deadline to withdraw from a course without academic penalty. To switch from taking a course for credit to auditing that course, you will need to revise the status of that course from credit to audit. Contact Service Laurier as soon as possible if you wish to switch.

How much is the tuition to audit a course?

Tuition fees for auditing a course are one-half of the regular course tuition fee. If you are 60 years of age prior to the start of the term in which you can register, you will be eligible for a tuition fee exemption (seminary students are eligible for 50% tuition fee exemption). All audit students, regardless of age, are also responsible to pay all incidental fees charged to your student account by the fee due date.

Do I have to pay the fees for Laurier’s health and dental plans as an audit student?

Health and dental plan fees are compulsory unless you already have health and dental coverage (or unless you are over the age of 70). Every year in the fall, you may opt out of health and dental plans with proof of alternative coverage through the Students' Union website (for undergraduate students) or the GSA website (for graduate students).

Am I able to opt out of any student fees?

Non-tuition fees are compulsory fees that cover the cost of student supports and services. The provincial government’s Student Choice Initiative allowed students to opt out of fees the government deemed non-essential. This initiative was struck down by the courts in November 2019 in a ruling that is currently being appealed by the Government of Ontario.

While we continue to monitor the appeal process, all non-tuition incidental fees will appear on invoices for the fall and winter terms. However, students can opt out of some non-tuition incidental fees.