What Does It Mean to Audit a Class?

To audit a class means to attend a course without taking it for credit. You sit in the lectures and discussions and may do the readings, but you do not receive a grade, and the course usually does not count toward your degree. Many colleges allow students and sometimes community members to audit with the instructor's permission.

How auditing works

You usually register for the course as an audit during a set period, with the approval of the instructor and sometimes the department. The transcript may show the course with a notation such as AU, or it may not appear at all. Participation expectations vary. Some instructors expect you to attend and complete readings, and others allow you to take part in discussion but not hand in graded work.

Fees depend on the institution. Some charge full or reduced tuition for audited courses, and others offer low-cost or free auditing for particular groups, such as older adults or alumni. Online platforms use the word differently, since auditing an online course often means free access to videos and readings without graded assignments or a certificate.

Why people audit

• Exploring a subject before committing to it as a major or for credit.
• Refreshing knowledge or filling a gap before a more advanced course.
• Learning for interest without grade pressure.
• Reducing risk in a hard course, though you give up the credit.

Limits to know

Audited courses do not count for financial aid enrollment totals in many cases. They typically cannot be converted to credit afterward, though some colleges let you change status within a deadline. Because you gain no credit, check whether another option, such as pass/fail, suits you better.

Related terms

See credit/no credit, course load, add/drop period and withdrawal.