Audit enrollment at University at Buffalo works through your student portal, not a separate process

To audit a course at University at Buffalo (UB), you log into your student account through the Hub portal, search for the course you want, and select "audit" as your enrollment type instead of "for credit." The registrar's office must approve the change, which usually happens within a few business days. You then attend the course, complete the work the instructor requires, but receive no grade or credit toward a degree.

Auditing costs the same tuition as taking the course for credit, so the financial commitment is identical. The main difference is that an audit does not count toward degree requirements, does not affect your GPA, and does not appear on your transcript as a grade — only as "audit" if you complete the course.

Key Takeaways

  • You enroll in an audit course through the Hub student portal by selecting "audit" as your enrollment type during registration.
  • Audit tuition costs the same as credit enrollment, so you pay full tuition for a course that does not count toward your degree.
  • The instructor must permit auditing — some courses restrict it, so confirm before you register.
  • An audit appears on your transcript as "audit" only if you complete all required work; dropping before the important date removes it entirely.
  • You must be an active UB student to audit; non-students cannot audit courses through the standard enrollment process.

When you can and cannot audit a course

Not every course at UB permits auditing. The instructor and department control whether a course is open to auditors. Lab courses, studio courses, and seminars with limited seats often do not allow auditing because the hands-on work or discussion space is reserved for students earning credit. You can see whether a course permits auditing in the course description in the Hub portal — it will say "audit permitted" or list audit restrictions.

If the course description does not mention auditing, contact the department or instructor directly before you register. Registering for a course that does not permit auditing, then requesting an audit enrollment change, will be denied by the registrar. Asking first saves you the rejection and the time spent on a course you cannot actually take.

Steps to enroll through the Hub portal

Log into your Hub account using your UB NetID and password. Click on "Student Services" and then "Registration." Search for the course by course number, title, or department. When you find the course, click on the section you want to attend.

On the enrollment screen, you will see a dropdown menu that says "Enrollment Type" or similar. Select "Audit" from that menu instead of "For Credit." Complete the enrollment by clicking "Submit" or "Register." The system will show your audit enrollment as pending until the registrar processes it, usually within two to three business days.

If you do not see an "audit" option in the enrollment type dropdown, that course does not permit auditing. Do not register for credit and then request a change — contact the department instead to ask whether an exception can be made.

What happens after you enroll

Once the registrar approves your audit enrollment, you can attend the course when ready. You are expected to follow the same attendance and participation rules as credit students unless the instructor specifies otherwise. Some instructors require auditors to complete all assignments and exams; others allow auditors to attend lectures only. Check the syllabus or ask the instructor on the first day what work is required.

If you stop attending or do not complete the required work, the course will still appear on your transcript as "audit" — it does not disappear. If you want to drop the course entirely, you must formally withdraw through the Hub portal before the withdrawal important date (usually around mid-semester). Dropping removes the audit from your transcript completely.

Cost and financial aid implications

Auditing costs the same tuition per credit as taking the course for credit. A three-credit course costs the same whether you audit it or earn a grade. That tuition counts toward your full-time enrollment status if you are a degree-seeking student, so auditing a course can help you maintain full-time status without affecting your GPA.

Audit tuition does not may have access to for federal student loans or most scholarships. If you are using loans or grants to pay for your courses, auditing may not be covered by your financial aid package. Check with the financial aid office before you enroll to confirm whether your aid covers audit courses.

Transcript and academic record

An audit appears on your UB transcript with the course title, number, credits, and the word "audit" instead of a letter grade. It does not affect your GPA because no grade is assigned. Employers and graduate schools can see that you audited the course, but they cannot see a grade or know whether you completed the work — only that you were enrolled as an auditor.

If you later decide you want credit for the course, you cannot retroactively change an audit to a credit enrollment. You would have to take the course again for credit. Plan ahead if you think you might need the credit later.

Switching between audit and credit enrollment

You can change from credit to audit enrollment before the important date, but the important date is usually earlier than the standard course drop important date — often around the second week of the semester. Check your academic calendar for the exact date. After that date, you cannot change your enrollment type; you must either complete the course as enrolled or withdraw entirely.

Changing from audit to credit is less common but possible if the instructor and registrar approve. Contact the registrar's office to request the change and explain why you need it. Approval is not may provide, especially if the course is full or if you have missed significant work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permission from the instructor to audit?

You need to confirm that the course permits auditing, but you do not usually need written permission before you enroll. If the course description says "audit permitted," you can register. If it does not mention auditing, contact the instructor or department first. Some instructors may ask you to attend the first class before they approve your audit enrollment.

Will auditing a course affect my financial aid?

Audit tuition counts toward your enrollment status for financial aid purposes, but audit courses themselves are usually not covered by federal loans or most scholarships. Contact your financial aid office before you enroll to confirm what your aid covers. If you are paying out of pocket, auditing costs the same as taking the course for credit.

Can I change an audit to a credit grade later?

No. Once you complete a course as an audit, you cannot retroactively earn credit for it. If you later need the credit, you must enroll in the course again and take it for credit. Decide before you register whether you need the credit or just want to learn the material.

What if I stop attending an audit course?

If you stop attending but do not formally withdraw, the audit will still appear on your transcript. To remove it, you must withdraw through the Hub portal before the withdrawal important date. Withdrawing after that date may result in a "W" grade or the audit remaining on your record, depending on UB policy.

Can non-students audit UB courses?

The standard enrollment process through the Hub portal is only for active UB students. Non-students cannot audit through the regular registration system. Contact the department or registrar's office to ask whether community members can audit courses through a separate process, as policies vary by department.