Weinberg College
of Arts & Sciences

Credit Recognition for Students Entering 2023-24

Credit based on some AP and IB (HL) scores can be applied to foundational discipline requirements (subject to limitations described at the bottom of this page) and sometimes part or all of the requirement of proficiency in a language other than English. In some cases they can also substitute for particular courses. These test-based credits generally count towards the 45 units of credit needed for a Weinberg College degree, even if they are not being used for general education or major/minor requirements, but they do not count toward the Undergraduate Registration Requirement.

Last update (new rows/subjects added to IB table) August 17, 2023. 

Advanced Placement (AP) Credits

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credits

NOTE: The following list is not exhaustive. Northwestern grants credit for sufficiently high scores on most HL (Higher Level) IB exams. Northwestern does not grant credit for any SL (Standard Level) IB exams.

*A student who earns a score of 6 or 7 on the IB Mathematics HL examination may be eligible for additional credit if their examination includes the Calculus Option (credit for MATH 220-2 and MATH 226-0) or the Statistics and Probability option (credit for STAT 210-0). To apply for additional credit, the student must have their high school IB Diploma Programme Coordinator submit a copy of the student's IB Registration Summary to the Office of the Registrar.

**Credit recognized by both the Department of Theatre and the Department of Performance Studies. Questions can be directed to the School of Communication.

Note: If you have taken an exam not listed here (British A-Levels, for example) and wish to have it considered for academic credit, send the International Test Credit Evaluation Request form and a copy of your score report to wcas-forms@northwestern.edu. Such credit is not applicable to the foundational disciplines but might still count towards the degree program of your school.

Using AP and IB credits

Foundational Discipline Requirements

You can complete up to two of the twelve foundational discipline credits through AP or IB credits. These two credits must be applied in two different foundational areas. Also, a test-based credit may not be paired with a course completed with a grade of P to complete a foundational area. The tables above show in which area (if any) a credit can count.

Placement in language and other sequences

Credits earned through AP and IB can provide you with placement in various course sequences, but you may in addition need to take a placement exam in order to verify where you should start. You will need to consult the placement information on the department or program website to find out whether you need a placement exam.

AP credit in a language other than English can be used to demonstrate Language Proficiency in some cases, or for placement in a course beyond the beginning level. Consult the language proficiency chart for specifics. In some cases, even if you have an AP score you may still need a placement exam. Information about language placement is generally available on the department or program website, Purple Prep, and through the Council on Language Instruction.

Course Equivalents 

If your score gives you credit for a specific course number (e.g., ECON 201-0), you are considered to have completed the equivalent of that course and if you take the course at Northwestern you lose the credit. If the table indicates you get credit for 1XX or 2XX, that means you have earned a generic 100- or 200-level credit in that subject. Consult the relevant academic department or program about whether generic credits can be used to place out of introductory-level courses. 

Graduation Requirements 

AP and IB credits generally count toward the 45 units of credit needed for a Weinberg degree, even if they are not being counted toward general requirements for majors or minors, etc. There is no cap on the number of credits a student may earn via AP and IB tests, but these credits do not count toward Northwestern's Undergraduate Registration Requirement (URR), which specifies how many quarters must be spent at Northwestern and how many units of credit must be earned through NU courses. No matter how many AP or IB credits you have on your transcript, you must still be registered at Northwestern for the required number of quarters and earn the required number of units at the University.

Consult our information about AP/IB credits and the relevant departments for more information.