Why won’t Quest let me enrolin a course?
Try the following steps to troubleshoot:
- Search the to ensure that the course isoffered this term. Note that TBA refers to a course is offered asynchronously without any designated meet time. Courses with a meet time (i.e. 1-2:20 M) include both synchronous and asynchronous components.
- Review the enrolment error messages webpage for further steps if you are receiving an error message. IMPORTANT NOTE: for the 'seats are reserved and you do not meet the reserve capacity requirements' or 'class is full' error messages, it is often not the instructor who can grant course overrides. Instead, find the override contact in the subject-list below.
- Course delivery: Consult the for delivery details (in person, blended and online). The majority of Arts courses will be offered in person.
- Course meet details, including room and instructor name: follow the Quest instructions for how to search for a class.
How do I know if a course is online, in-person, or a blend of both?
Campus codes indicate which campusis offering the course and the course delivery mode.
Course delivery modes
In-person
An in-personsection is scheduled with one or moreon-campus weekly meet times (students must be available to come to campus).
In Quest, you will see a meet time(s) with abuilding and room number listed.
Campus codes: UW (offered by main campus), CGC (offered by Conrad Grebel), REN (offered by Renison), STJ (offered by St. Jerome's), UTD (offered by United College)
Blended
A blended section is normally scheduled with bothan online and an in-person activity (students must be available to come to campus).
In Quest, you will see a meet time with abuilding and room number listed, and there may be a second meet time with "online" listed next to it.
Campus codes: BLND(offered by main campus), BLNDG (offered by Conrad Grebel), BLNDJ (offered by St. Jerome's), BLNDT(offered by United College), BLNDR (offered by Renison)
Online synchronous
An online synchronoussection is scheduled with one remote (virtual) meet time per week ofup to 1.5 hours(students do not needto come to campus). Thismeet time is optional -the synchronous learning experience will be made available in another formatand alternative assignments will be provided for any assessments completed during this time.
In Quest, you will see a meet time with "online" listed next to it.
Campus codes: ONLN (offered by main campus),ONLNG (offered by Conrad Grebel),ONLNJ (offered by St. Jerome's), ONLNT(offered by United College),ONLNR(offered by Renison)
Online asynchronous
An online asynchronoussection has no meet time(students do not needto come to campus).
In Quest, there willnotbe a meet time or location listed.
Campus codes: ONLN (offered by main campus),ONLNG (offered by Conrad Grebel),ONLNJ (offered by St. Jerome's), ONLNT(offered by United College),ONLNR(offered by Renison)
Visit the Quest website.
Who do I contact for a course override?
There is no guarantee that you will be granted a course override. You must start by enrolling in an alternative course and if you still want to request a course override, locate the override contact in the subject-list below.
Accounting and Financial Management (AFM)
To all AFM, SFM and CFM students, forcourse override requests, please emailsafadvisor@uwaterloo.caand include your name, student ID number, and requested course and section number. Email is the fastest method to request an override.
Notes
- Most AFM courses are strictly reserved for students in accounting & financial management programs. Exceptions include AFM 101, AFM 102,AFM 123, AFM 131,AFM 231,AFM 333.
- Reserves for these courses are typically lifted by mid- January (Winter), May (Spring) and September (Fall). There are no waiting lists for these courses. The SAF advisors will not be granting overrides.
- AFM 123 - students submitting Plan Modification forms for the HRM minor can add the course when they have been admitted to the minor. Space will be available until early January.
American Sign Language (ASL)
If you cannot enrol in an ASL course because it is full, monitor enrolment closely. If a spot becomes available, enrol directly on Quest. If you have trouble enrolling, follow the troubleshooting steps above. For more information, please contact cls@uwaterloo.ca.
Anthropology (ANTH)
For overrides email Miljana Kovacevic atmiljana.kovacevic@uwaterloo.ca
Applied Language Studies (APPLS)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Arabic (ARABIC)
Enrolment in anArabic language course for the first time requires the completion of the Online Arabic Assessment Form.Your Arabic Assessment Form must be completedprior to your enrolment in the course.
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Arts (ARTS)
ARTS 130/140:
Thesecourses areonlyopen to Arts students (excluding AFM students) beginning their studies Fall 2018 or later, in order to complete theUndergraduate Communication Requirement:
- Overrides willnot be provided for sections that are full.
- There is no waiting list for Spring 2025 sections. Please monitor Quest for openings.
- Reserveson ARTS 140 SEM 081 will beinactivated on March 26.
For ARTS 280, ARTS 367 and ARTS 390, please contact Kelli MacCulloch.
Arts and Business (ARBUS)
Level 200- and above Arts and Business courses are only available for Arts and Business students or Management Studies minor students. Please do not add yourself to the wait list if you do not fall under one of those categories.
For all ARBUS course override requests, please put your name on the Arts and Business course waiting list.
- UW: emailARBUS Administration.
- St. Jerome's: emailJohn Arnou.
Advising appointments will not be booked for override requests.
Black Studies (BLKST)
- Some BLKST courses are cross-listed. If you cannot enrol in the BLKST side because it is full, you may be able to enrol in the corresponding cross-listed course if there is space. E.g., BLKST 304 is cross-listed with PSCI 304. Cross-listed courses are considered to be the same course for the purpose of fulfilling plan requirements (e.g., Diploma in Black Studies, Diploma in Fundamentals of Anti-Racist Communication).
- Some upper-year courses may have prerequisites waived for the first offering. If a course you are trying to add is full, consider adding an alternate BLKST course as it may still be possible to enrol.
- Refer to the Quest trouble-shooting suggestions at the top of this page.
- Check the to confirmthat the course is offered in that term.
- Check theto confirm whether the course is full, or whether there are available seats.
- Verify that class times don't conflict with another course you're already enrolled in.
- Check whether there are any holds on your Quest account that prevent you from adding courses.
- If your course load is already full, you can either swap a course or request approval from your academic advisor to enrol in a sixth course.
-
If you are still unable to add a BLKST course after completing these steps, email Kelli MacCulloch. Remember to include your 8-digit student ID number and full name, along with the course number and title for the BLKST course you are trying to add.
Canadian Studies (CDNST)
Please email Rick Myers to inquire about course capacities and overrides.
Chinese (CHINA)
Enrolment in a CHINA language course for the first timerequiresthe completion of aChinese Placement Form.Your Chinese Placement Form must be completed before the first day of class for the term you are enrolled.
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Church Music and Worship (CMW)
Email the Department of Music Undergraduate Advisoror Claudia Van Decker.
Classical Studies (CLAS)
Please email a completedcourse override form with your contact and class enrolment information to Brigitte Schneebeli.
Cognitive Science (COGSCI)
Please email Nick Ray.
Communication Arts and Design Practice
Please place your name on the Communication Arts Department waiting list. If you have additional questions, please email Katie Honek.
Communication Studies (COMMST)
Please place your name on the Communication Arts Department waiting list. If you have additional questions, please email Katie Honek.
Croatian (CROAT)
Please email gssugrad@uwaterloo.ca.
Your email needs to contain your student ID, your full name as on Quest, and the information of the course you would like to enrolinto.
Cultural Identities (CI)
Please email ci-ugchair@uwaterloo.ca.
Your email needs to contain your student ID, your full name as on Quest, and the information of the course you would like to enrol into.
Digital Arts Communication (DAC)
Please place your name on the Communication Arts Department waiting list. If you have additional questions, please email Katie Honek.
Dutch (DUTCH)
Please email gssugrad@uwaterloo.ca.
Your email needs to contain your student ID, your full name as on Quest, and the information of the course you would like to enrolinto.
East Asian Studies (EASIA)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Economics (ECON)
The Department of Economics does not override class limits, time conflicts, reserved seats or test slots in most cases. For detailed override policies, visit the Economics Course Override Policy webpage.
Email econugadv@uwaterloo.cafor questions about overrides.
English (ENGL)
- During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC)of REN or ending in “R” (“ONLNR”)according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.
-
If the Campus Location (Camp Loc) is "STJ" or “ONLNJ” (ending with a J) on the Schedule of Classes, this course is held by St. Jerome’s, please email the departmental Advisor at St. Jerome’s.
- For all other ENGL courses, pleaseplace your name on the course waiting list.
English for Multilingual Speakers (EMLS)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Fine Arts (FINE)
For all FINE studio courses, except for FINE 130, please place your name on the course waiting list.
If you have further questions, please email Brett Roberts.
French (FR)
- If the Campus Location (Camp Loc) is STJ on the , please email the departmental Advisor at St. Jerome’s.
- For questions about French course placement or overrides, please contact frenchundergrad@uwaterloo.ca
Gender and Social Justice (GSJ)
Please send an email to gsjadvis@uwaterloo.ca.
German (GER)
Please email gssugrad@uwaterloo.ca
Your email needs to contain your student ID, your full name as on Quest, and the information of the course you would like to enrolinto.
Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA)
Please note that GBDA Classes are only available for students enrolled in the Global Business Digital Arts Program.
Requests to override course capacity limits due to convenience or preference will not be considered.
Students are responsible for managing their own schedules and are encouraged to closely monitor the schedule of classes for openings in their preferred section. Students can self-swap course sections up until the end of the add period.
We ask that you do not contact GBDA course instructors as they are not able to provide course overrides.
Other Enrolment Errors and Requests:
Please connect with the GBDA Advising Team early-on if you anticipate needing a course overload or difficulty with course enrolment.
Submit your request in writing to gbda.advising@uwaterloo.cafrom your UW University Email Address and
Include the following required details:
- Your Name
- Your Student ID #
- Verification of the Error (ie. a screenshot)
- Your Course Selection Information –
- Course Code
- Section Number (please ensure there is space available in the class)
Note that not including the required details can create delays to submit your request.
Greek (GRK)
Please email a completedcourse override form with your contact and class enrolment information to Brigitte Schneebeli.
Health Humanities (HHUM)
Please email Student Advisor Britt Scowen at bscowen@uwaterloo.ca
History (HIST)
If the Campus Location (Camp Loc) isSTJ, please email the departmental Advisor at St. Jerome’s.
Submit a completedcourse override form with your contact and class enrolment information to
Human Resources Management (HRM)
Read and follow the HRMcourse enrolment information.
Human Rights (HRTS)
Please email Anna Purkeyto inquire about course capacities and overrides.
Human Sciences (HUMSC)
If the Campus Location (Camp Loc) is STJ on the, please emailJohn Arnou.
Indigenous Entrepreneurship (INDENT)
Contact the program administrator, Benjamin Makela.
Indigenous Studies (INDG)
Please email John Abraham to inquire about course capacities and overrides.
International Studies (INTST)
Italian (ITAL) and Italian Studies (ITALST)
Please email the departmental Advisor at St. Jerome’s.
Japanese (JAPAN)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR” according to the , please place your name on Renison’s online waiting list.
All students who enrol in JAPAN 101R will be required to complete an online assessment through LEARN at the start of classes to ensure proper placement. Students who have prior experience with Japanese are encouraged to request a language assessment through the CLS department to determine the appropriate course level in which to enrol. For more information, please contact cls@uwaterloo.ca.
Jewish Studies (JS)
Please email Jeremy Bergen at jbergen@uwaterloo.ca.
Korean (KOREA)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Latin (LAT)
Please email a completedcourse override form with your contact and class enrolment information to Brigitte Schneebeli.
Legal Studies (LS)
- If the Campus Location (Camp Loc) on the...
- Ends with a "J" (“ONLNJ” or "STJJ"):contact the departmental Advisor at St. Jerome’s. ForLS 101 onlineor if no instructor is listed, please email theSt. Jerome's advisor. Visit the Advising and Wellness Support webpage for details.
- Ends with a "R" (“ONLNR” or "RENR"):place your name on Renison's online waiting list.
- Ends with a "G" (“ONLNG” or "CGCG"):contact the instructor directly.
- For LS courses cross-listed withother subjectsat UW (except for GSJ), follow the instructions in the sections for those subjects.
- No reserves will be overridden for students in level 3B or below requesting400 level courses.
- For all other LS courses atUWwith Campus Location (Camp Loc) “ONLN” (ending with “N”) or "UW U", please see the instructions on the "enrolment issues" section of theDepartment of Sociology and Legal Studies Sociology and Legal Studies FAQ webpage.
Management Studies (MGMT)
Email arbus@uwaterloo.ca for more information.
Medieval Studies (MEDVL)
For all MEDVL courses, please email a completedcourse override form with your contact and class enrolment information to Brigitte Schneebeli.
Mennonite Studies (MENN)
Please email Troy Osborne.
Mohawk Language (MOHAWK)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Music (MUSIC)
Waitlists are not kept for any music classes.
Overrides for class limit are not granted for Music 140 and 246.
Any remaining reserves in all courses will be lifted on or after 9am on the day of open enrolment add period.
For other music course overrides, email music@uwaterloo.ca.
Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS)
Email the PACS Academic Advisor, Ndagire, at this email: Ndagire Brendah.
Ndagire will grant you the instructor's email to seek permission to enrol in the course.
Once permission is granted, then email Ndagire back for an override request.
Philosophy (PHIL)
- For all PHIL courses not located at STJ or ONLNJ on the , contact philug@uwaterloo.ca.
- If the Campus Location (Camp Loc) is "STJ" or “ONLNJ” (ending with a J) on the Schedule of Classes, this course is held by St. Jerome’s, please email the departmental Advisor at St. Jerome’s.
Political Science (PSCI)
Email PSCIadvising@uwaterloo.ca
During the Drop/ Add Periodfor all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.
Portugese (PORT)
Email David Rozotto.
Psychology (PSYCH)
- Please see Psychology'sCourse enrolment Problemswebpage for information on course overrides and waiting lists.
-
‘If the campus location (camp loc) on the:
Ends with a "J" (“ONLNJ” or "STJJ"): please email theSt. Jerome's University advisor. - Ends with a "R" (“ONLNR” or "RENR"):place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.
Religion, Culture, and Spirituality (RCS) (formerly Religious Studies or RS)
- Please email Jeremy Bergen at jbergen@uwaterloo.ca.
Russian (RUSS) and Russian and East European Studies (REES)
Please email gssugrad@uwaterloo.ca.
Your email needs to contain your student ID, your full name as on Quest, and the information of the course you would like to enrolinto.
Sexualities, Relationships, and Families (SRF) (formerly Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies or SMF)
Social Development Studies (SDS)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.
Social Work (SOCWK)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.
Sociology (SOC)
- If the Campus Location (Camp Loc) on the...
- Ends with a "J" (“ONLNJ” or "STJJ"):contact the instructor directly.ForLS 101 onlineor if no instructor is listed, please email theSt. Jerome's advisor.
- Ends with a "R" (“ONLNR” or "RENR"):place your name on Renison's online waiting list.
- Ends with a "G" (“ONLNG” or "CGCG"):contact the instructor directly.
- For SOC courses cross-listed withother disciplinesat UݮƵ (except for GSJ) follow the instructions in the sections for those subjects.
- No reserves will be overridden for students in level 3B or below requesting400 level courses.
- For all other Sociology courses atUWwith Campus Location (Camp Loc) “ONLN” (ending with “N”) or "UW U", please see the instructions on the "enrolment issues" section of theDepartment of Sociology and Legal Studies Sociology and Legal Studies FAQ webpage.
Spanish (SPAN)
Email, Spanish advisor or email Mario Boido at mario.bodio@uwaterloo.ca.
Studies in Islamic and Arab Cultures (SI)
During the Drop/ Add Period for all Renison courses including those with a Course Code (Catalog #) ending with “R” and/ or with the Campus Location (Camp LOC) “ONLNR”according to the, please place your name on Renison’sonline waiting list.For more information, please contactcls@uwaterloo.ca.
Theatre and Perfomance (THPERF)
Please place your name on the Communication Arts Department waiting list. If you have additional questions, please email Katie Honek.
Visual Culture (VCULT)
For all VCULT courses, please place your name on the course waiting list.
If you have further questions, please email Brett Roberts.
Non-Arts Courses
Faculty of Applied Health Science (AHS):Complete the course override form, have it signed by the course instructor, then submit it to the appropriate department coordinator:
- Recreation & Leisure: Sara Houston in BMH 2201, ext. 43530
- Health Studies: Submit completed form with instructor signature directly to the Registrar's Office.
Faculty of Environment:Email appropriateEnvironment advisor.
Faculty of Mathematics:MATH, STAT, and other courses from the Faculty of Mathematics:
- For MATH courses, contact the Math Undergraduate Office (MUO).
- For STAT courses, contact one of the Statistics advisors.
- For CS courses, .
Faculty of Science:Please see theScience course enrolment problemswebpage.