Trent University and Sheridan College are expanding their partnership, making it easier for students to move between institutions, build on the credentials they’ve earned, and continue their education without starting over.

Credit transfer agreements are an important part of Ontario’s postsecondary system. The new arts and science agreements recognize the coursework and learning experience of college diploma and certificate graduates and provide streamlined pathways for students to advance their education to pursue a university credential without losing momentum. Students understand clearly how their credits will transfer to finish their degrees in a four-year time frame.

“Learning experiences are best when they bring out the best in individual learners and offer variety in how students can develop skills, acquire knowledge, and find their specific areas of strengths and career aspirations,” said Dr. Kathryn Norlock, Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences at Trent University. “Offering students a range of learning pathways, including flexible pathways into general arts and science degrees at Trent, means more students can realize their potential and develop the right set of technical and soft skills needed for the profession in which they aim to work.”

General Arts and Science to Bachelor of Arts Pathway

Graduates of Sheridan’s General Arts and Science (GAS) certificate and diploma programs now have a streamlined transfer route into a Bachelor of Arts degree at Trent University. The General Arts and Science Certificate pathway follows a 1+3 model, enabling students who complete a one-year college certificate to transition into and complete a university degree at Trent within four years. Similar to a traditional 2+2 pathway, this model provides students with an early credential while maintaining clear progression toward a bachelor’s degree.

For General Arts and Science Certificate graduates:

• Credits awarded: 5.0 Trent University credits
• Credits remaining: 15.0 credits
• Eligibility: Cohorts beginning Fall 2021 onward
• Minimum requirement: 75% cumulative average

For General Arts and Science Diploma graduates:

• Credits awarded: 7.0 Trent University credits
• Credits remaining: 13.0 credits
• Eligibility: Cohorts beginning Fall 2021 onward
• Minimum requirement: 75% cumulative average

Pre-Health Sciences to Bachelor of Science Pathway

Sheridan graduates from the Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees certificate program also gain access to a structured transfer route into a Bachelor of Science degree at Trent University. Pre-Health Sciences graduates can receive 3.5 credits towards their B.Sc. at Trent University, completing their degree in just three more years of study.

• Students who began their studies in Fall 2020 onward are eligible to apply for this pathway and will receive full transfer credits with a 75 percent cumulative average.

Pre-Health Sciences programs provide foundational preparation in science and health-related disciplines. Through this agreement, qualified graduates can enter Trent with advanced standing, positioning them for continued study in science-based fields.

Strengthening College to University Mobility

“These pathways reflect our shared commitment to student success and access,” said Gabriel Levine, associate dean in the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at Sheridan. “They allow students to begin their studies at Sheridan and transition seamlessly to Trent University with recognized credit, reducing duplication and accelerating degree completion.”

These pathways support students who:

• Begin their studies in college and aspire to complete a university degree
• Seek flexible entry points into Arts and Science disciplines
• Value early credential attainment combined with long-term academic advancement

The agreements build on a previously finalized Child and Youth Care to Child and Youth Studies pathway established at the end of 2024. Together, these agreements formalize a growing partnership between Trent and Sheridan, creating clear academic progression routes for students pursuing Arts and Science degrees.

For more information about transfer opportunities between Trent and Sheridan, visit trentu.ca or sheridancollege.ca.