Course registration FAQ

Self-Service Banner is a student information system that allows you to: 

• Register for courses 
• Pay fees 
• View your class schedule 
• View your final grades 

• Order official transcripts 
• Print Canadian tax forms 
• Change your personal information 
• Access online resources 

• To log in to Self-Service Banner, use your smu.ca email address and password. 
• If you are using your SMU account for the first time, activate your account using your A number. Refer to your acceptance letter to see your A number.
• If you forgot your SMU email address, activate your account to see your email address.
• If you forgot your password or do not have Multi-Factor Authentication set up for your SMU account, please email helpdesk@smu.ca to reset your password.

Learn how to set up Multi-Factor Authentication on your account.

Registration for each academic year (September – April) typically begins in April. Registration for spring and summer sessions typically begins in March. 

Check our Registration Dates to find out when you are eligible to register. 

If you are trying to register for a full class, check if a waitlist is offered. Visit our Waitlist Registration page to learn about waitlisting and how to use this option.   

Or visit the Common Registration Problems below.  

A pre-requisite is a course you must successfully complete (in a previous year or term) in preparation for a more advanced class. If you do not have the necessary pre-requisites, you cannot register for the course in question. 

Your timetable can be viewed on Self-Service Banner. 

Day abbreviations in Self-Service Banner are: 

• M = Monday 
• T = Tuesday 
• W = Wednesday 
• R = Thursday
• F = Friday 

See our Campus Map for building names and locations. 

• MM – McNally Main at 923 Robie St. The main section of the McNally building is parallel to Robie St.  
• MM TAUD – McNally Theatre Auditorium. On the first floor of McNally Main, MM113 (in the building lobby). 
• MN – McNally North Wing. At the north end of the McNally Building, next to the Science building. You can find the pedway to the Science building on the MN third floor. 
• MS – McNally South Wing. At the south end of the McNally building. You can find the pedway to the Loyola building on the MS first floor. 

• ME – McNally East Wing. This section of the McNally building faces the quad. You can enter through the quad or near the Campus Security desk on the basement floor of McNally Main. 
• LA – Loyola Academic. This building connects to McNally, the Sobey building and residences. 
• SB – Sobey School of Business at 903 Robie St. This building connects to Loyola Academic. 
• S – Science Building. This building near the corner of Robie & Inglis Street connects to McNally and the Atrium. 
• AT – Atrium. This campus hub connects to the Patrick Power Library, Science and McNally buildings. 

• B – Burke Building. Enter via Inglis St or the quad. Includes Burke Theatres A & B (B TH-A & B TH-B). 

• EGN – Engineering Building. 960 Tower Rd.

View Classroom Codes (opens in new window) for classroom and exam names and locations. 

• In-Person Learning (ONCA) - In-Person Learning means all instruction takes place in an in-person setting.  Classes are held on-campus at the regular weekly times listed on Banner. Timed assessments may be held on-campus or online. Final exam is completed at a specific scheduled time during the final exam period and may be held on-campus or online.
• Hybrid (HYBR) - Hybrid Learning means a blend of online and in-person instruction. Assessments may also be a blend of online and on-campus formats. Regular presence at the Saint Mary’s campus is required: some classes occur on-campus, while some classes occur online. Classes are held at scheduled times as listed on Banner. Timed assessments may be held on-campus or online. Final exam is completed at a specific scheduled time during the final exam period and may be held on-campus or online.
• Hyflex Learning (HYFL) - Hyflex Learning means instruction is available online and in-person, and students can move between online and in-person. On-campus classes are held at scheduled times as listed on Banner. Students have the choice of whether to attend classes on- campus or online. All timed assessments, including the final exam, may be completed online. Final exams are completed at a specific scheduled time, or within a specific time range, during the final exam period and may be held on-campus or online.
• Hyflex Learning with On-Campus Assessments (HYOC) - Hyflex Learning means instruction is available online and in-person, and students can move between online and in-person. Classes are held at scheduled times as listed on Banner. Students have the choice of whether to attend classes on- campus or online. Online options are available in an asynchronous format. Timed assessments may be held on-campus or online. Final exam is completed on- campus at a specific scheduled time during the final exam period.
• Synchronous Online (SYNC) - Synchronous Learning means instruction takes place in real-time and requires student presence.  Entire course completed online, including all assessments. Classes are held at scheduled times as listed on Banner. Final exam is completed online at a specific scheduled time during the final exam period.
• Synchronous Online with On-Campus Assessments (SYOC) - Synchronous Learning means instruction takes place in real-time and requires student presence.  Classes are held online at scheduled times as listed on Banner. Students are required to complete on-campus tests during the teaching period, and/or a Final Exam during the final exam period.
• Asynchronous Online(ASYN) - Asynchronous Learning means instruction is available for students to access at a time that works best for them. Entire course completed online, including all assessments. No scheduled class times— students undertake weekly learning within their own schedules and set deadlines. Timed assessments within the teaching period (e.g. quizzes, tests) are available for completion within defined time ranges. Final exam is completed online at a specific scheduled time, or within a specific time range, during the final exam period.
• Asynchronous Online with On-Campus Assessments (AYOC) - Asynchronous Learning means instruction is available for students to access at a time that works best for them. No scheduled class times— students undertake learning following their own schedule. Students are required to complete on-campus tests during the teaching period, and/or a Final Exam during the final exam period.

If you decide to drop a course after the deadline, there may be financial and academic consequences. 

• You may not be eligible to register at this time. Check our Registration Dates to see when your category is open. 

• There may be a hold on your account preventing registration. 
• If it’s been over a year since you last registered for a course, you’ll need to reactivate your status. Please contact the Admissions Office. 
• If you’ve applied to graduate, you cannot register in future terms. To register, you must either withdraw your graduation application, or re-apply through the Admissions Office to continue studies in a different term. 

You may be trying to register for a graduate-level course (5000 or 6000 levels) or a program-specific course (i.e. Engineering). You cannot register for this course unless you’ve been accepted into that specific program. 

The class you are trying to add requires a pre-requisite course. If you do not have the necessary pre-requisites, you will not be able to register for your class. 

• The course you are trying to add is full. If a registered student drops the class, a seat will become available. 
• The number of seats remaining in each course can be viewed online through the academic timetable. Please note that some courses are “cross-listed.” Although there may appear to be seats available, you will still receive an error message indicating the course is closed. 

Many courses have mandatory labs or recitations. You cannot register for the course without also registering for the lab/recitation at the same time. 

• You are trying to register for a class offered at the same time as another course you’re taking. The number in the error message indicates the CRN (course reference number) of the other course. 

Note: You cannot register for a course offered at the same time as a lab/recitation, even if that lab/recitation is only scheduled once a week. 

You are trying to register for the same course twice. 

This is a warning. One of two things is preventing your registration. 

• You may be trying to register for a course that you have already passed. If you’d like to upgrade your mark, this error message will not prevent your registration. 
• You may be trying to register for the winter portion (YY) of a full-year course. The system will not allow you to add the course unless you are also registered in the fall portion (XX). 

You cannot register for more than six courses per term (18 credit hours). 

You must declare your major before registering for this course. 

After you have registered for classes, you can view your schedule in Self-Service Banner. 

• Select “Student Information” 

• Select “Registration” 
• Select “Week at a Glance” 

Your Week at a Glance is a weekly schedule of all your classes. The schedule lists the location and time of each course. 

If you aren’t sure where your class is located, check our Classroom Codes – On and Off Campus. 

Tip: The location for your course may change, so make sure you check your schedule the day before class starts.