A prerequisite is a requirement that must be on your student file before you can register into some courses. A prerequisite may be a secondary or post-secondary course, a test, or departmental permission. For a complete listing of course prerequisites, please visit the course index and select the desired course.

Unless otherwise noted, a minimum "C-" or "S" grade in the prerequisite course is required. 

When you register, the system will search your file for required prerequisites. If it does not find the required prerequisite, you will not be able to register for the course. If you are currently registered into a Langara course that is the prerequisite for the course you want to register into, the system will use that course as the prerequisite. You will need to check your registrations after final grades are run for the current semester. If you have not met the minimum grade requirement, you will be dropped from your requested course on the date indicated on the Important Dates page.

If you have questions regarding prerequisites or would like to discuss what options are available to you, you may contact the following:

Types of Prerequisites

Important: The College reserves the right to cancel the registration in a course for a student who does not have the required prerequisite.

Courses, both secondary and post-secondary

Mathematics, statistics, chemistry, and computer science courses are valid for only three years.

Transfer credit from other post-secondary institutions must be requested at least 10 weeks before registration starts. You must apply for transfer credit; it is not automatically entered on your file. Download Transfer Credit Request Form.

BC secondary school courses are entered into your file upon receipt of your official transcript.

Departmental Permission

If you believe you have the prerequisite for a course but do not have the prerequisite on your file, you may contact the department to request departmental permission to register.

In some instances, departments need to speak with the student regarding their educational background to determine eligibility for registration into the course.

Diagnostic Tests

To meet prerequisite requirements for some courses, you may be required to write a placement or diagnostic test. Placement/diagnostic tests must be taken at least seven days in advance of registration. See Diagnostic Tests for more information.

Langara English Test (LET)

The Langara English Test (LET) is an alternative to the Language Proficiency Index (LPI).

Please see the LET Registration page for information on how to register for the Langara English Test.

  • You must write the test at least seven days in advance of your registration time if you need the results to meet prerequisite requirements.
  • You can register for the LET in person at the Continuing Studies Office, by phoning 604.323.5322, or by using the online registration system. You must already have a Langara ID number to register online. Instructions for registering online can be found here. You must register at least 48 hours before the exam date.
  • You must provide your Langara ID when you register if you wish to have your results posted automatically to your student file.
  • At the exam, you must present your registration receipt and photo ID.
  • You may check the results on your file by logging into the Student Information System. Detailed instructions are available here.

Check the upcoming test schedule.

The LPI and LET are treated as equivalents for prerequisite purposes. Whether you write the LPI or the LET or both placement tests, the most recent placement test score will be used for prerequisite purposes. See the LET/LPI equivalency table.

Language Proficiency Index (LPI) Test

Test date and registration information can be obtained from the Counselling Department or on the Paragon Testing website.

  1. You must write the test at least 30 days in advance of your registration time if you need the results to meet prerequisite requirements.
  2. You must write your Langara Identification Number on the test form and must indicate that you want your test results sent to Langara.
  3. If you have not included your Langara Identification Number on the test form, you must provide Registrar & Enrolment Services with a copy of your results well in advance of your registration time. You must visit Langara's login page to confirm that your results have been received and your file updated.
  4. If you write the examination more than once, the most recent score counts, not the highest score.

English Langauage Upgrading

If your marks on the LET or LPI do not meet the prerequisite requirements for a first-semester English course or other course that requires the LET or LPI, you may upgrade your skills through one of the following courses:

  • ENGL 1107 and 1108: Upgrading courses in grammar and composition for students with English as a second language. If you wish to take these courses, you must score a level 2 on the LET or LPI minimum 24 on essay.
  • ENGL 1110: Upgrading course in grammar and essay writing for native speakers of English who have an LETN 02 or by permission of the department. If you have an LPI score of 22 (essay), please contact the English department chair at 604.323.5391 for appropriate placement.
  • English upgrading and composition writing through Continuing Studies at Langara (for both native and non-native speakers of English).

Math-Statistics Diagnostic Test (MDT)

Check the upcoming test schedule.

Students who do not have recent appropriate prerequisites for mathematics and statistics courses, including students from out-of-province and those who have been away from mathematics for three or more years, must write the Math-Stats Diagnostic Test (MDT) and meet with an advisor from the Math/Stats Department to assess their level of preparedness.

The diagnostic process will consider your mathematical background as well as your most recent relevant transcripts, your overall academic background and goals, and your results from a diagnostic test (MDT).

  • You must register for the MDT at the Continuing Studies Office (Building A). The non-refundable and non-transferable registration fee is $45.00.
  • You must bring your most recent relevant transcript(s) with you to the testing and advising session.
  • Results of the MDT will be automatically transferred to your file if you have provided your Langara ID number on the MDT application form.
  • Langara students may access results by logging into the Student Information System using their Langara ID number and PIN, usually within two days after the test date.

For more information, please visit the Math & Statistics (MDT) page, call the Mathematics/Statistics Information Line at 604.323.5583, or visit the department's website.

To learn more about registering for the MDT, please visit the Langara Counselling Department, Registrar & Enrolment Services, the Information Kiosk, or the Continuing Studies Office.

Physics Diagnostic Test (PDT)

Check the upcoming test schedule.

There is no fee or pre-registration for the Physics Diagnostic Test. For further information, visit Physics Diagnostic Test.

Secondary School Prerequisite Equivalency

Canadian secondary school courses: If you would like to use secondary school courses completed within a Canadian provincial curriculum to meet prerequisite requirements (including Canadian off-shore schools), submit your official secondary-school transcript to Registrar & Enrolment Services. For information on submitting transcripts, please see the After you Apply page.

Secondary school courses taken in a province outside of BC may be added to your file to meet prerequisite requirements. If you have any questions regarding how your high school courses may meet the prerequisite requirements, please contact Langara Admissions at domesticadvisor@langara.ca (domestic students) or ieadmissions@langara.ca (international students).

Secondary school courses completed outside of Canada: Secondary school courses completed outside of Canada cannot be added to your file to be used for prerequisites. If you believe your educational background meets the prerequisite requirements for a course, please contact the department to discuss what options are available to you.

Official International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement

Official International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement transcripts must be submitted to the Registrar & Enrolment Services office for equivalency evaluation. Please visit the Transfer Credit page for more information.