Open Learning in Guelph: How to Take U of G Courses
Written by Caleb Harrison • Published September 5, 2026 • Last verified September 5, 2026
What you need to know:
Open Learning lets you take U of G courses without applying to a degree program; you register per course and pay tuition at registration.
Courses follow the regular academic calendar, so you must register before the semester's start date; there are set drop deadlines and exam periods.
Credits earned through Open Learning may transfer to a future U of G degree, but confirm with the department before registering.
If you're not seeking university credit, Guelph Public Library offers free access to LinkedIn Learning video courses with a library card.
Check the Open Learning website for the current course catalog, fees, and registration deadlines each semester.
Open Learning is the University of Guelph's program for people who want to take a university course without being admitted to a degree program. You register for individual courses, pay per course, and earn credit that can later count toward a degree if you do get admitted. It's open to anyone, Guelph residents, and for locals it's a direct way to use the university's facilities and faculty without a full-time commitment.
Who is it for? High school students looking to get a head start, adults upgrading skills, people exploring a new field, or those who need a prerequisite for a future program. Open Learning courses appear on a U of G transcript, so they are real academic credits. Some courses are offered online, others on campus, and some are hybrid. You don't need to apply through the regular admissions process; you just register for the specific course.
Registration happens through the Office of Open Learning, which runs the program. You browse the course catalog on their website, check prerequisites, and then register online. There's no application fee, but you pay the course tuition at registration. Costs vary by course and are set per credit; you'll see the exact fee listed on the course page before you commit. Payment is due at registration, and you must meet any listed prerequisites or get permission from the department.
One thing to know: Open Learning courses are the same courses that degree students take, so they follow the regular academic calendar. That means there are set start and end dates, a drop deadline, and a final exam period. You can't start mid-semester. The program runs in the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters, so you need to register before the course begins. Check the academic calendar on the U of G website for exact dates each year.
What about the campus? If you take an in-person course, you'll be on the University of Guelph campus, which is in the south end of the city near the Arboretum. The library, the University Centre, and other facilities are open to you as a registered student. You'll get a student ID card that gives you access to buildings and lets you use the library's borrowing privileges. Online courses don't require you to come to campus, but you still get access to digital library resources.
For Guelph Public Library cardholders, there's a separate but related option. The library offers free access to online learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, which has thousands of video courses on business, technology, and creative skills. That's not university credit, but it's useful for professional development. The library also runs in-person workshops and programs throughout the year. You don't need a U of G connection for those.
If your goal is a degree, Open Learning can be a stepping stone. Credits you earn through Open Learning are usually transferable if you later apply and are admitted to a U of G degree program. But that's not guaranteed for every course, and there are limits on how many credits you can transfer. Before you register, check with the admissions office or the department that offers the course to confirm it will count toward your intended program.
Another route: if you're a high school student, the university has a dual credit program with some school boards. That's separate from Open Learning and run through your high school. Ask your guidance counsellor about it. For adults, there's also the option of auditing a course, which means you sit in on lectures without doing assignments or getting credit. Auditing is cheaper than taking for credit, but you can't switch from audit to credit later.
What changes over time? The course catalog is updated each semester, so new courses appear and old ones get retired. Fees are reviewed annually and can go up. The academic calendar shifts slightly each year. Always check the current term's information on the Open Learning website, not a printed guide from last year.
To confirm details, the best sources are the official websites. The University of Guelph's Open Learning page at openlearning.uoguelph.ca lists current courses, fees, and registration instructions. The Guelph Public Library at guelphpl.ca has information on their free online learning offerings. Both sites are updated regularly.
A final practical pointer: if you're thinking about a course, register early. Popular courses fill up, and the university sets enrollment caps. Once a course is full, you'll be put on a waitlist, and there's no guarantee you'll get in. So decide, check the prerequisites, and register well before the semester starts.
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