Canada’s education system at all levels is built to help students succeed.
Support programs like counselling, tutoring, and other academic services give you the tools to excel in your studies.
However, amidst all this, students still struggle, fail classes, and keep “not-so-good” records.
This can happen due to challenges handling a heavy workload, or balancing personal responsibilities with school.
For international students, it can get harder, you need to adapt to a new academic system and life in a new country.
Read also: What does “the purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent” mean?
As someone who has worked closely with international students in Canada, I’ve seen students fail classes despite hard work and preparation.
When you fail a class, here’s what to expect.
What happens if an international student failed a class in Canada?
If you fail a class in Canada, you’ll retake the failed class or engage in other academic activities like scheduled tests to make up for the failed units.
However, if the failed class make it impossible for you to continue your program, you can switch to another program.
Failing continuously will get you placed on probation or dismissed from your program.
In addition, failing a class will also affect your ability to maintain full-time status, which is important to comply with your study permit requirements.
If you lose full-time status due to a failed class, you’ll no longer be eligible to work on or off-campus and your visa could be cancelled.
Failing a class doesn’t automatically jeopardize your student status, but dropping below the minimum course load required for full-time enrollment might.
In Canada, students who can’t cope with the demands of their principal program can switch to a program with lesser academic demand.
Therefore, if you fail a class and your general score is below what you need to continue your program, you can switch to another program in the same institution or another institution.
Also read: How long can an F1 student stay in the U.S. without attending school?
Many colleges and universities judge their student based on their semester performance (they use the semester system).
Although your performance in every course is important, your overall semester performance determines your fate.
If you fail only one course but your overall average score is good (you met the minimum requirements for your program), you’ll be allowed to continue but you must retake the courses you failed or make up for it.
Will failing a class affect your student visa in Canada?
Failing a class does not directly affect your student visa, however, if you fail a class and it leads to unsatisfactory academic progress, it’ll affect your student visa.
Universities and colleges (in Canada) are required to report poor academic performance to IRCC, which when done, will put your visa at risk.
Also read: How long can an F1 student be out of status
However, before you’re reported, you’ll get warnings and academic support to help you succeed.
Your school, your professors and the government want you to succeed but that won’t protect you from consequences if you continue failing.
Immediate consequences of failing a class in Canada as an international student
When you fail a class in Canada, the most immediate impact is on your academic record and your visa status.
Here’s exactly what happens:
- It’ll affect your GPA:
Failing a class will reduce your Grade Point Average (GPA). And, you need to get your program’s minimum GPA requirements to maintain your student visa. - You’ll retake the class:
Most institutions in Canada will mandate you to retake the class you failed before you progress to the next level in your program. - Academic probation:
When you fail repeatedly, you’ll be placed on probation – further failure will get you suspended and expelled. - Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP):
To qualify for a PGWP, you need to complete your program, delays due to failing will affect the timeline for applying for the permit. - Work eligibility: If you’re working part-time on or off-campus, your eligibility to work will be affected if your academic standing changes.
- It’ll extend your study permit validity: Your study permit is tied to the duration of your program. If failing a class extends your study period, you’ll apply for an extension.
- It will affect your full-time status:
To keep your study permit valid, you must remain a full-time student. When you fail below the required course load (usually three to five courses per semester), it’ll put your permit at risk.
As a student in Canada, I know at some point I struggled with a challenging course during my first semester, I remember feeling anxious about these potential outcomes.
However, reaching out to my professors and academic advisors helped me get everything sorted out.
What do as an international student who failed a class in Canada
If you fail a class, the first thing is to:
1. Talk to your academic advisor
Let me give you one tip, throughout your time as a student in Canada, stay in touch with your academic advisors.
They’re there to help you every step of the way.
Also read: How to write a letter of explanation for a Canada study permit
Meet your adviser and discuss your issues.
You’ll get the help you need.
2. Retake the class
If the class is required for your program, you need to retake it.
Before you retake the class, check your institution’s retake policies.
3. Get help through academic support services
Take advantage of resources like tutoring, writing centres, or study groups.
These services will help you understand your course better and improve your performance.
4. Notify immigration (if necessary)
If failing the class affects your full-time student status, then speak with an immigration advisor immediately.
You’ll know how to address the issue and stay in compliance with your visa requirements.
What if I fail one subject in Canada?
If you fail one subject in Canada, you’ll retake the subject. Failing one subject isn’t much of a threat to your academics in Canada.
However, you’ll make up for it by retaking the subject you failed.
What will happen if international students fail all their units in their first semester?
If an international student fails all the units in their first semester, the student will be withdrawn from the program and asked to switch to another program or change institution.
No institution will have you continue your program if you fail all the units in your first semester.
Does failing a course affect PGWP?
Failing a course in Canada will affect your chances of getting a post-graduate work Permit (PGWP), especially if failing the course makes you unable to complete your program within the required timeframe.
To be eligible for the PGWP, you must complete an eligible program of study.
If failing a course extends your program beyond the permitted timeframe, you’ll not qualify for a PGWP until you complete your program.
However, if you make up for the failed course, you can still qualify for PGWP.
What if I fail one subject in 1st semester in Canada?
If you fail one subject in your first semester in Canada, you’ll retake the subject and make up for the failed credits.
Failing one subject is very common among international students in Canada and it is usually addressed immediately.
Read also: Is it true that international students in Australia cannot change courses under the new law?
It bears no lasting consequences unless you continue to fail more subjects.
What happens if an international student fails a course
If an international student fails a course, the student will resit the course or make up for the course through tests or assignments. There is no harm in failing a course.
It only becomes a problem, when it happens continuously.
International students fail all the time, what happens next depends on your institution and their policies.
Failing a class will:
- Affect your academic standing
- Put you at the risk of losing your student status
- And, delay your graduation.
If you fail a class, speak with your academic adviser, and you’ll get the necessary support you need.
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