Auditing a Stanford Course

Policy Statement

Auditing is only allowed for matriculated undergraduates, matriculated graduate/professional students, postdoctoral scholars, visiting scholars, Stanford faculty, and Stanford staff, with the consent of the instructor, department and Office of the University Registrar. Auditing is not available during Summer Quarter.

No person shall attend any class unless he or she is a fully registered student enrolled in the course or meets the criteria for auditors. Auditors are not permitted in courses that involve direct participation such as language or laboratory science courses, field work, art courses with studio work, or other types of individualized instruction (i.e., labs, seminars, case study, language, and activity courses are not permitted). Auditors are expected to be observers rather than active participants in the courses they attend, unless the instructors request attendance on a different basis. Stanford does not confer credit for auditing, nor is a permanent record kept of courses audited. Students who have been suspended are not permitted to audit.

Auditors may not join classes for the first time after the University's final study list deadline. Auditors are not eligible for other University services or privileges including housing, health insurance (Cardinal Care), Vaden clinical services, and the University health plan. The University Registrar reviews for approval any other services or privileges that may be sought.

Auditors count towards the total enrollment of a class. For each auditor an instructor and department approves, the enrollment capacity should be reduced by one to ensure the overall enrollment does not exceed the room capacity.

Implementation Information

Individuals interested in auditing a course must submit the Application for Auditor. The Auditor status is available to Stanford students, faculty or staff members for no fee. Otherwise, the Permit to Attend fee is assessed. In all cases of auditing, the instructor, department administrator, and the Office of the University Registrar's prior approvals are required.

Please note that the Application for Auditor opens on a quarter-by-quarter basis, opening at the start of enrollment and remaining available through the final study list deadline each quarter. The application is used for Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters. For Summer quarter, audit requests are managed by Summer Session.

Contact Information

Curriculum Management and Scheduling Team, Office of the University Registrar