Register for Courses

Self-Service Banner is a site that allows students to look up and register for courses, access course and exam schedules, and view academic transcripts and grades. 

If you are using Self-Service Banner (SSB) for the first time, you must first activate your SMU account to receive your SSB login credentials (@smu.ca email address and password). Your initial temporary PIN is your date of birth in the format of DDMMYY (YY is the last two digits of the year). 

After activating your account, you will be asked to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) through Microsoft.

If you require assistance resetting your password or setting up your MFA, please visit our Microsoft Self-Serve Password Reset page.

If you have forgotten your password and are unable to access your account, please contact the Help Desk at: helpdesk@smu.ca. 

First year students: 

Understanding your degree requirements is a key step in the registration process. We recommend following the course guidelines for new students, broken down by faculty:   

First Year Course Registration Guide 

Transfer and returning students: 

Visit the Manage My Degree page for guidance and support.

For full-time undergraduates, the normal course load is fifteen (15) credit hours per term in Arts, Sobey School of Business, and Science (except Engineering), and eighteen (18) credit hours per term in Engineering.  

Students taking at least nine (9) credit hours per term are considered full-time; fewer than nine (9) credit hours per term is considered part-time.  

A student can be full-time in one term and part-time in another within the same academic year. The exception to this is students requiring a Study Permit who are required to be enrolled full-time in each of the Fall and Winter terms unless otherwise noted on their study permit. 

Courses can be viewed online through Self-Service Banner using the Browse Classes tool.  

You do not need a Banner login to search the basic academic timetable but you will need to be logged in to access location, time and instructor details. 

The Browse Classes tool provides: 

• Courses offered in a specific term.
• Location and times of classes.
• Course instructors.
• Remaining seats available in the course.
• Prerequisites required for the course. 

How to view courses:

1. View Self-Service Banner homepage and select the following tab sequence: Student > Student Landing Page > Student Profile > Registration > Browse Classes
2. Select the appropriate academic term from the drop-down menu.
3. Enter criteria to search for a class (i.e. Academic Level, Course Subject) and hit “Search”.
4. Courses matching your criteria will appear. Click on a course name to see the course description and prerequisites.
5. Select "Search Again" to conduct further class searches. 

Need Help? 

Academic Advisors are available to help choose courses that are interesting, enjoyable and rewarding. 
 

Before registering for courses, we recommend building a draft schedule to help you avoid conflicts, balance your course load and ensure your selections fit your needs. 

You can now view your schedule in real time as you select classes. As you add or remove courses, your schedule will update automatically, allowing you to visually build a timetable that works best for you before you officially register. 

Prefer to plan on paper? You can still download and print the Timetable Worksheet PDF to map out your classes manually. Write down course information such as the subject, number (e.g., ACCT 1205), and meeting times to sketch out your ideal schedule.

Tips for creating a balanced courseload 

• Double-check all class times. You cannot register for two courses offered at the same time.
• Take a manageable number of classes. You are not required to take a full course load. (Note: Taking fewer courses may extend the length of your degree.)
• Many courses include labs and recitations. Make sure you leave enough time for assignments and studying for exams.
• Distribute your courses evenly over the week and try not to schedule more than two classes in a row.  

Course registration is managed through our Self-Service Banner System.  

• Fall and Winter Term registration begins in April each year.
• Spring and Summer Term registration begins in March each year.  

Finalized academic timetables for terms will be released roughly one month prior to registration opening for the respective terms. Check our Registration Dates page to find out when to register.

Go to Self-Service Banner and follow these instructions to register for courses. 

1. Select “Enter Self-Service Banner” and enter your smu.ca email address and password. If you have forgotten your password and are unable to access your account, please contact the Help Desk at: helpdesk@smu.ca
2. Select the "Student" tab at the top, then select the following tab sequence: Student Landing Page > Student Profile > Registration > Register for Classes. (Note: you may be prompted to log in again.)
3. Select the appropriate academic term from the drop-down menu and click "Continue".
4. Search for a class by Academic Level, Course Subject, or Campus.
5. Find the desired class and select "Add”, and, when ready, click “Submit”.

After submitting, two things may appear: 

• A status of “Registered”. You are successfully registered for these courses.
• A status of “Errors Preventing Registration”, along with an error message on the top right-hand side of your screen explaining why. You are not registered for these courses. 

If a course is at capacity, check if there is a Waitlist offered (WL in Banner). View the Waitlist Registration below for information on waitlisting and how to use this option.  

Visit the Common Registration FAQs and Error Messages page for more information and tips. 

If you need help selecting courses for your degree, you can speak with an Academic Advisor 

If you need help building your timetable or registering online, contact the New Student Welcome Centre at 902-491-8691 or campustours@smu.ca.

If a course is full, you may have the option to join a waitlist. This lets you hold a place in line in case a seat opens before the add/drop deadline. Being on a waitlist does not guarantee a spot in the course, but you will be notified by email if one becomes available. 

Key things to know: 

• Waitlists are available for most courses and are monitored until the final day to add or change courses.
• You must use the waitlist function if it is available. Do not email the instructor or Academic Advisor for overrides.
• Check that you meet course prerequisites before attempting to join a waitlist.
• Notifications will be sent to your SMU email only from waitlist@smu.ca.
• You will have 24 hours from the timestamp on the email to register for the course. 

1. In Self-Service Banner (SSB), search for your desired course.
2. If the course is full and has a waitlist:
   1. From the drop-down menu, choose “Waitlisted”, then click Submit.
   2. You’re now on the waitlist. The status will display as Waitlisted on your schedule.
3. If a seat opens:
   1. You’ll get an email from waitlist@smu.ca with permission to register.
   2. Return to “Register for Classes” in SSB.
   3. Change the action to Web Registered, then click Submit.
   4. You are now officially registered in the course.
4. If you no longer want the course, choose Web Drop and submit.
5. If you don’t register within 24 hours, the offer will expire, and the seat will go to the next student on the list. 

For courses with labs or recitations, the waitlist applies to the lab or recitation section, not the main course. 

If your preferred lab/recitation is full but the course and another lab/recitation are open: 

• Register for the course and available lab/recitation to secure your seat.
• Waitlist your preferred lab/recitation.
• Note: Waitlisting just the lab/recitation does not hold your spot in the course. 

To switch lab/recitation sections: 

1. Add the preferred lab/recitation (status: Waitlisted).
2. If a spot opens, change that section to Web Registered.
3. Drop the old lab/recitation.
4. Leave the course as-is.
5. Submit to confirm both are Registered. 

If you have questions about course selection and joining a waitlist, contact your faculty Academic Advising Office. If you need assistance using the waitlist function in Banner, contact the Service Centre.