UCW Cohort Update FAQ

A cohort system is an education structure where students progress through their program at the same time, taking many of the same courses together. 

The cohort system benefits university students by fostering community, collaboration and support. Students progress together, creating strong peer connections that enhance learning and motivation. This structure improves engagement, retention and teamwork skills essential for professional success. In addition, the new cohort structure also provides a clear and easy-to-follow pathway to a successful completion of a students’ degree.  

UCW is launching the cohort system for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in Summer 2025 term. The cohort system will be launched for the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and the Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication (BABC) from the Winter 2026 term.

Students taking a term off will be moved to the following cohort and will continue in their given program with their new cohort once their studies have been resumed.

Students pursuing their studies part-time will progress at a different pace through the cohort system than students studying fulltime. Course availability will be based on the fulfilment of the prerequisites and course rotation plan.

Maximum course load for undergraduate and graduate students is three (3) courses per term. A student wishing to register for four (4) courses must receive approval from the Registrar’s Office. If a student wishes to register in more than four (4) courses in a given term, they must receive written approval from a Department Chair. Students must meet the minimum criteria listed below to be eligible to request an increased course load. 

Applications for an increased course load must be submitted in writing to the appropriate department as indicated above at least one (1) week prior to the start of the term. Requests should include the rationale for being permitted to take a higher course load, the course information and the student information. Students who do not meet the criteria listed below will not be permitted to take a higher course load. 

To be eligible, students must have: 

• Achieved a minimum CGPA 3.67 

• Completed a minimum of two (2) terms* 

• No Academic Incident Reports (AIRs) on file 

• No non-academic misconduct reports on file *UAP and MBAF courses do not count towards a “completed term.” 

Please refer to the Academic Calendar for more information. 

If, at any point, a student is unsuccessful in completing one of their courses, the student will need to repeat the course in the coming term and may complete it alongside courses they are eligible to take based on the pre-requisites. If a student is unsuccessful in completing an elective course, students may either repeat the failed course or select a new course to complete if they meet the pre-requisite requirements. Students who are unsuccessful in completing a course are encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to review their options and the associated impact on their CGPA.

No. The move to the Cohort System will not impact tuition fees, the tuition fees associated with a student’s intake will remain in effect.

For the first three terms of their program, students will take the same three core courses as the rest of their cohort.

In keeping with current practices, students are automatically registered into courses for their first term at UCW. They may drop the course section assigned and select an alternative one to better match their preferred schedules (subject to availability).

Starting from the second term, students will have a choice of instructor and time of each of the three core courses they must take.
From the third term, they will choose the instructor and time for their core courses and begin selecting their first electives.

Students will continue self-registering in courses as they meet the pre-requisites in accordance with their degree pathway and program requirements until they complete their studies.

NOTE: The selection of an instructor and time of the course will be based on availability and class capacity. UCW does not guarantee that all students preferences can be met.

At this time, the cohort system is not in use for the Associate of Arts program. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

If you are pursuing your MBA degree at UCW, you will join a cohort based on when you start your first term. All students in the same cohort will progress through the program together for the first two terms by taking three core courses each term. Core courses will be offered on multiple days and at different times.  

In your third term, you will take two core courses and select your first elective.  
In your fourth term, you will take one core course and choose two electives.  

In your fifth and final term you will either apply for one of the Capstone Experience Courses or opt to take the Course-based Learning Courses.

Yes. Students can opt to transfer into the new cohort system, but the transfer is subject to approval based on the courses taken in their current program.

For the first three terms of their program, students will take the same three core courses as the rest of their cohort. In keeping with current practices, students are automatically registered into courses for their first term at UCW. They may drop the course section assigned and select an alternative one to better match their preferred schedules (subject to availability). 

Starting from the second term, students will have a choice of instructor and time of each of the three core courses they must take. 

From the third term, they will choose the instructor and time for their core courses and begin selecting their first electives. 

Students will continue self-registering in courses as they meet the pre-requisites in accordance with their degree pathway and program requirements until they complete their studies. 

NOTE: The selection of an instructor and time of the course will be based on availability and class capacity. UCW does not guarantee that all students preferences can be met.

If you are pursuing your BCom at UCW, you will join a cohort based on when you start your first term. All students in the same cohort will progress through the degree pathway together, which outlines the core courses and electives students will take as they meet the pre-requisites. 

A cohort will take the first term together by taking three core courses. Though cohorts may take the same courses in the same term students, core courses will be offered on multiple days and at different times. The cohort will then progress through the program taking the core courses, and specialization courses or electives they choose as they meet the pre-requisites. Please refer to Academic Calendar to review the degree pathway for the cohort system for the BCom program.

There will be minimal impact on current BCom students. If a student started their program before the Winter 2026 Term, they will continue their studies as planned along their current degree pathway. The current elective course rotation will remain available to them until the Fall 2025 Term. Course rotation plans for the Winter 2026 Term onwards will be published when finalized, so students can plan their electives/specializations in alignment with their goals. For continuing students in the BCom program, the program plan and requirements (i.e., the courses they must complete) will remain the same. 

Yes. Students can opt to transfer into the BCom with Specializations program that includes the new cohort system, but the transfer is subject to approval based on the courses taken in their current program.

If you are pursuing your BABC at UCW, you will join a cohort based on when you start your first term. All students in the same cohort will progress through the degree pathway together, which outlines the core courses and electives students will take as they meet the pre-requisites. 

A cohort will take the first terms together by taking three core courses. Though cohorts may take the same courses in the same term students, core courses will be offered on multiple days and at different times. The cohort will then progress through the program taking the core courses, and specialization courses or electives they choose as they meet the pre-requisites.

Please refer to Academic Calendar to review the degree pathway for the cohort system for the BABC program.

There will be minimal impact on current BABC students. If a student started their program before the Winter 2026 Term, they will continue their studies as planned along their current degree pathway. The current elective course rotation will remain available to them until the Fall 2025 Term. Course rotation plans for the Winter 2026 Term onwards will be published when finalized, so students can plan their electives in alignment with their goals. For continuing students in the BABC program, the program plan and requirements (i.e., the courses they must complete) will remain the same. 

All BABC students will follow the same program requirements. There is no need for current students to join a cohort. They will continue on the same degree pathway with the same pre-requisites and co-requisites as new students.