Do you have some backlogs in college and think you can't study in Canada? Don’t worry! Many Canadian universities accept backlogs, so you still have a chance to study there. Students from India and other countries sometimes get backlogs during graduation, but that doesn’t always stop them from gaining admission.
Most universities in Canada check your complete profile. That means they look at your overall marks, your IELTSor TOEFL score, your SOP (Statement of Purpose), and your studies' seriousness. Many universities still say yes if you had 5 to 10 backlogs but cleared them and improved later. Some Canadian colleges accept backlogs with a justification letter, too, where you explain why it happened.
Backlogs don’t always mean rejection. What matters is how you handled them and how your profile looks now. Even some top Canadian universities accept backlogs if your grades are good after that. In this blog, we will tell you about the universities in Canada that accept backlogs, how many are allowed, and how to make a strong profile. Explore study abroad requirements for international students.
A backlog is when a student fails to pass a subject in the first attempt. If the student passes the exam on the second try, the backlog is said to be cleared. After finishing your course, you can get a Backlog Certificate from your university. This certificate shows how many subjects you failed and how many you cleared.
Some colleges may still ask for a Zero Backlog Certificate to ensure your academic record is clear, even if you don't have any backlogs.
Most top universities in Canada do not accept students with backlogs. But many Canadian colleges are flexible. Usually, five backlogs are accepted in Canada. Some colleges and a few universities may take up to 10 backlogs, but only in exceptional cases and after approval from the admission team.
Absenteeism for any reason is counted as a backlog, which is sad. Again, absenteeism may be caused by two factors:
Family/Travel
Traveling or having a family emergency are some reasons for absenteeism. Travel, however, makes you seem less committed to your studies. The university does not want to engage a student who prefers to travel and take an external exam. There should be a good reason for that trip that caused you to miss a semester or an annual examination.
Medical
If you were sick or had an accident, your college would require a medical certificate as proof. A university abroad will require you to provide evidence of the same to their AdCom if they consider your backlog a genuine cause.
Low Grades
A lower score reflects a weak profile in the subject. Your candidature may be hindered if you have a record of low scores in any of your academic subjects (and a backlog in those subjects). Backlogs are especially problematic if the subject matter is significant. Moreover, if this score lowers your overall CGPA, that is problematic. Nevertheless, if you scored well in the re-appearing exam, you may not have a problem with the backlog.
How are the Backlogs Calculated?
There are a few different ways to count the backlogs in Canada, including counting the number of attempts or the number of subjects. Now, let's look at what makes the two different:
The number of attempts
Germany and Australia are two countries mainly known for using this method, and some Canadian institutions also use it. Here, it is necessary to consider the number of attempts made so far for a particular subject.
Suppose you make three attempts to pass an exam for a particular subject; then your backlog count will be two and not three, since backlogs are counted on the number of attempts made to clear the exam.
The number of subjects
This method is one of the most common and widely used in Canada. In this case, the number of subjects is counted as a backlog instead of the number of attempts made to clear the backlog.
Let's suppose it takes three attempts to clear an exam. Your backlog will still be counted as one even if you make three attempts to clear an exam, since backlogs are counted based on the number of subjects and not the number of attempts it takes to clear the subject.
Essential Factors for Backlog Acceptance in Canada
If you have backlogs, don’t worry. But you must know that many things are checked before you are admitted.
1. Overall Academic Performance
Your full academic record is important. If your GPA or percentage is high, and only a few subjects have a backlog, your chances of getting accepted become better.
2. Exam Scores (IELTS, TOEFL, GRE)
If your IELTS, TOEFL, orGRE scores are good, it has a positive impact on your profile. It can help to cover the negative effects of backlogs.
3. Subject of Backlog
If your backlog is in a subject related to your main course, it may be a problem. For example, if you are applying to study Computer Scienceand have a backlog in Data Structures, that’s not good. But if the backlog is in a non-related subject, then it's okay.
4. Number of Attempts
How many times you tried to clear the subject also matters. If you cleared it in one or two tries, that’s better. If you took many attempts, it may show a lack of interest.
5. Status of Backlog at Time of Application
You should clear all your backlogs before applying. Active backlogs are not accepted in Canada. Always have a backlog certificate ready while applying.
Do Backlogs Affect Canada Visa? (H2)
Yes, backlogs may affect Canadian student visas. Visa officers look at your academic history. Your visa may be rejected if you have too many backlogs or low scores. But visa chances are still good if you have just 1 or 2 backlogs with good reason, and overall a strong profile.
List of Canadian Colleges Accepting Backlogs
Here is a list of colleges in Canada that accept students with backlogs:
Canadian universities are an excellent choice for students who want to pursue higher education and overcome their backlogs in the process. With a wide variety of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs available at various institutions across Canada, it’s easy to find one that suits your needs.
By considering all the factors, such as admission requirements, course fees, and scholarship opportunities, you can make sure you choose the right university for yourself. With the help of this list, we hope you have found a university that accepts backlogs and will help further your educational goals.
If you need personalized advice or support at any stage of your application, don’t hesitate to reach out to upGrad experts, they’re here to guide you every step of the way on your study abroad journey.
FAQs
How many backlogs are accepted in Canada?
Most Canadian universities accept 5 to 8 backlogs. Some may even take 10 or more if you have good academic marks and a high IELTS score. Each university has its own rules.
Can I study in Canada with 15 backlogs?
Yes, few universities in Canada accept 15 backlogs, but your profile must be strong. You need good marks in the final years, a strong SOP, and good English test scores.
Do all Canadian universities accept backlogs?
No, not all. But many universities and colleges in Canada accept backlogs, specially if you show improvement and explain the reason in a justification letter.
Do I need to give a letter for backlogs?
Yes, some universities ask for a backlog explanation letter. You can explain why backlogs happened, and what you did to improve. Be honest and keep it simple.
What is checked – total backlogs or number of attempts?
Some universities check total number of backlogs, while some check number of attempts per subject. Less attempts is always better.
Can I do PG diploma in Canada with backlogs?
Yes, many Canadian colleges offer PG diploma even if you have backlogs. Try to keep them under 10, and show strong English skills and good marks later.
Will backlogs affect my Canada student visa?
Backlogs alone do not cause visa rejection. If you get an admission letter from Canadian university, and your financial and academic documents are strong, visa is possible.
Can I get admission in top universities in Canada with backlogs?
Some top Canadian universities accept backlogs, but it’s more competitive. You must have a good reason, better marks later, and a strong IELTS or TOEFL score.
Can I get scholarship in Canada if I have backlogs?
It is little difficult. Many scholarships in Canada need high academic score. But you can still try if your backlogs are few and other things are strong.
How can I make my profile strong with backlogs?
You can focus on good IELTS/TOEFL score, write a clear SOP, get some internship or project experience, and show improvement in final semesters.
What is counted as a backlog in Canada?
A backlog means failed or reattempted subject in college. Even if you pass it later, it still counts as backlog in many universities.
Which universities in Canada accept more backlogs?
Some Canadian universities that accept more backlogs include Concordia University, Lakehead University, Thompson Rivers University, and few others. But other parts of profile should be strong.
Will backlogs affect jobs in Canada after study?
Mostly no. Canadian employers care about your degree, skills and experience. Backlogs during your past study usually don’t matter for job hiring.
Rakhee Talukdar is an edtech expert with five years of experience in the education technology sector, focusing on K-12 and higher education systems in various countries, including Canada, USA, Finland...
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