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Victoria College
Academic Programs / Upper-Year Programs / Independent Studies

Victoria College Independent Studies

Independent Studies Policy

  • The principal instructor must be a Vic Fellow or Associate
  • A student is limited to a 1.0 credit for a VIC Independent Study Course
  • If a student proposes two 0.5 credit VIC Independent Study courses, these should be at different levels (i.e., 3rd and 4th year) and with different instructors
  • VIC Independent Studies Courses are not offered in the summer term, with the exception of VIC396 International Internship Opportunity.

If you have any questions, please contact vic.academics@utoronto.ca

How to apply

To request a Victoria College Independent Study course, please submit an application online by August 1, 2023.

Apply now

Your application with consist of the following:
1) Vic Independent Study Form 
Fill out separately and attach the file in the application
Please be sure to select the correct course code (ie: VIC390), on the form. 
2) Course description with Bibliography
3) Supervisor's letter of support
4) Unofficial Transcript

VIC390 Independent Study | Social Sciences

VIC390 | Social Sciences
Victoria College Independent Study

These courses provide an opportunity to design an interdisciplinary course of study not otherwise available within the Faculty. Written application (detailed proposal, reading list and a letter of support from a Victoria College faculty member who is prepared to supervise) must be submitted for approval on behalf of Victoria College. For application procedures visit the Victoria College website. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is available in two formats, based on the nature of the independent study:
VIC390H1F/S - 0.5 credit, completed in the Fall (F) or Winter (S) semester
VIC390Y1Y - 1 credit, completed over both Fall and Winter semesters of the academic year

Prerequisite: A minimum CGPA of 3.0, completion of 10.0 credits and permission of the College Program Director
Distribution Requirements: Social Science

VIC391 Independent Study | Humanities

VIC391 | Humanities
Victoria College Independent Study

These courses provide an opportunity to design an interdisciplinary course of study not otherwise available within the Faculty. Written application (detailed proposal, reading list and a letter of support from a Victoria College faculty member who is prepared to supervise) must be submitted for approval on behalf of Victoria College. For application procedures visit the Victoria College website. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is available in two formats, based on the nature of the independent study:
VIC391H1F/S - 0.5 credit, completed in the Fall (F) or Winter (S) semester
VIC391Y1Y - 1 credit, completed over both Fall and Winter semesters of the academic year

Prerequisite: A minimum CGPA of 3.0, completion of 10.0 credits and permission of the College Program Director
Distribution Requirements: Social Science

VIC396 International Internship Opportunity

VIC396 International Internship Opportunity

This course provides an opportunity to apply acquired knowledge in a practical or experiential placement in an international setting. A faculty supervisor assesses and assigns the necessary written component associated with the internship. The number of weekly hours spent in the placement, the scope of learning objectives, and the nature of reflective and written activities are determined in consultation with the host institution and the supervisor. This is a pass/fail course.

Prerequisite: 4.0 credits
Course Experience: Partnership-Based Experience

VIC490 Independent Study | Social Sciences

VIC490
Victoria College Independent Study

These courses provide an opportunity to design an interdisciplinary course of study not otherwise available within the Faculty. Written application (detailed proposal, reading list and a letter of support from a Victoria College faculty member who is prepared to supervise) must be submitted for approval on behalf of Victoria College. For application procedures visit the Victoria College website. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is available in two formats, based on the nature of the independent study:
VIC490H1F/S - 0.5 credit, completed in the Fall (F) or Winter (S) semester
VIC490Y1Y - 1 credit, completed over both Fall and Winter semesters of the academic year

Prerequisite: A minimum CGPA of 3.0, completion of 10.0 credits and permission of the College Program Director
Distribution Requirements: Social Science

VIC491 Independent Study | Humanities

VIC491 | Humanities
Victoria College Independent Study

These courses provide an opportunity to design an interdisciplinary course of study not otherwise available within the Faculty. Written application (detailed proposal, reading list and a letter of support from a Victoria College faculty member who is prepared to supervise) must be submitted for approval on behalf of Victoria College. For application procedures visit the Victoria College website. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is available in two formats, based on the nature of the independent study:
VIC491H1F/S - 0.5 credit, completed in the Fall (F) or Winter (S) semester
VIC491Y1Y - 1 credit, completed over both Fall and Winter semesters of the academic year

Prerequisite: A minimum CGPA of 3.0, completion of 10.0 credits and permission of the College Program Director
Distribution Requirements: Social Science

Renaissance and Literature and Critical Theory Independent Studies

If you're enrolled in Literature and Critical Theory or Renaissance Studies, you have the option of taking a program-specific Independent Study:

The application process outlined above remains the same.