The Second Degree Program allows the holder of an undergraduate degree from Queen’s or from another university to complete a second undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts and Science, either on-campus or through distance studies.
Students must complete all course and degree requirements for the Second Degree program according to the Academic Regulations of the Faculty of Arts and Science. (See Academic Regulation 16 for degree requirements).
In order to be considered for admission to a second degree program the desired Second Degree Plan must have capacity to accept students and the combination of the first and Second Degree Plans must be academically viable, meaning the two degree Plans are significantly different.
Students must choose a Second degree program/plan that is significantly different from their first degree program. More than half of the units required for the program/plan may not be used (or accepted) in the first program/plan or the overlap is considered significant and the combination will not be approved. For example, a B.Sc. (Gen.) degree program requires 90.0 units, of which 48.0 are Plan units. If 24.0 or more of the 48.0 Plan units are required (or may be used) in the primary/first degree program, there is too much overlap for the Dual Degree combination to be approved. (Conditions in Academic Regulation 16 apply).
The additional courses for the second degree must all be completed at Queen’s and registered under the Arts and Science degree program, regardless of whether the first degree is from Queen’s or from another post-secondary institution.
Students may not obtain a three-year General degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for four-year Honours degree of the same program type. For example, students may not obtain a B.A.(Gen.) degree after a B.A.(Hons) degree, a B.Cmp. (Gen.) degree after a B.Cmp.(Hons.) degree, or a B.Sc.(Gen.) degree after a B.Sc.(Hons.) degree.
Academic Viability Charts
The charts provided in the Academic Viability Section towards the end of this chapter provide information for known, academically viable, dual and second degree combinations. Please consult these charts to learn more about allowed and disallowed Plan combinations.
For Students whose first degree is from the Faculty of Arts and Science
How it works
Second Degree students whose first degree is from Queen’s may use up to a maximum of 60.0 transferable units from their first degree program toward their Second Degree program. When there are 60.0 transferable units from the first degree, a B.A.(Gen.), or B.Sc.(Gen.) degree requires a minimum of 30.0 additional units; a B.A.(Hons.) degree requires a minimum of 60.0 additional units; a B.Sc.(Hons.) degree requires a minimum of 60.0 additional units; a B.Mus degree requires a minimum of 66.0 additional units.
Degree Combinations
A three-year General degree after a four-year Honours degree
With the completion of a minimum of 30.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their Honours degree, students may obtain a General degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a four-year Honours degree. The two degree programs must be different.
Two three-year General degrees
With the completion of a minimum of 30.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree, students may obtain a BA degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a BSC General degree or a BSC degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a BA General degree. Students may not receive two BA degrees or two BSC degrees.
Two four-year Honours degrees
With the completion of a minimum of 54.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree, students admitted to the Second Degree Program prior to the Fall Term 2017 may obtain a B.A.(Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The first degree program may also be a B.A.(Hons.).
Students admitted to the Second Degree Program in the Fall Term 2017 and later must complete a Minimum of 60.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree to obtain a B.A. (Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The first degree program may also be a B.A.(Hons).
With the completion of a minimum of 60.0 additional Queen’s units in a significantly different Plan from their first degree, students may obtain a B.Sc.(Hons.) or B.Cmp.(Hons.) degree together with, after receiving, or after qualifying for a first four-year Honours degree. The two degree programs may be the same.
In most cases students first complete the requirements and receive the degree for the program in which they are registered before applying for the Second Degree Program to complete the requirements for the second degree. However, students may also complete the requirements for both degrees before applying to graduate and receive both degrees at the same time.
Students in the Faculty of Arts and Science who have completed the requirements for two degree programs simultaneously are not required to apply for admission to the Second Degree Program. Such students may declare the second Program and Plan upon completion of all requirements and may receive both degrees together.
Second Degree – For students whose first degree is from another Academic Institution
Applicants in this category must have the equivalent of a minimum Queen's Cumulative GPA of 2.6 for most Plans to be considered for admission. In addition, they must also satisfy departmental criteria that may exceed these minimums. In all cases, admission to a Second Degree is only possible when the applicant's first degree is from an accredited post-secondary institution and in a substantially different Plan from the proposed Second Degree. Additionally, the Degree Plan requested must be accepting second degree students.
How it Works
Second Degree students whose first degree is from another post-secondary institution may use up to a maximum of 42.0 transferable units from the first degree toward a B.A.(Gen.), B.Cmp.(Gen.) or B.Sc.(Gen.) degree program, and up to a maximum of 57.0 transferable units from the first degree toward a B.A.(Hons.), B.Cmp.(Hons.), B.Sc.(Hons.) or B.Mus degree program. The additional units required will vary depending on the total number of units required for the second degree.
How to Apply to a Second Degree Program
Applicants may apply for a Summer or Fall term start. See the Queen's Undergraduate Admission page.
General Admission Requirements for Second Degrees
Applicants must meet the Faculty minimums and satisfy appropriate departmental criteria that may exceed these minimums. Enrolment limitations or lack of prerequisites may result in the denial of an admission.
Students must have graduated in good standing and satisfy departmental criteria.
Students who wish to pursue a Second Degree in the B.MUS program must also meet specialized entry requirements, and the program must be accepting students to a second degree.
Updates for the 2023-2024 academic calendar coming shortly.
The chart below indicates the On-campus and Distance degree Plans with capacity to accept Second Degree applicants in the 2020-2021 academic year are listed below. If a degree Plan is not listed, it is at capacity and cannot accept Second Degree applicants. Students admitted to Distance Studies are limited to distance courses and distance degree Plans. Distance 3-year degrees may not upgrade their degree on campus. Distance 3-year General Degree Plans are in GREEN shading.
To inquire about specific admission requirements, contact Undergraduate Admission for on-campus admission and Continuing and Distance Studies for distance campus admission.