The aims of this study were to determine university students' reasons for enrolling in physical activity courses (PACs) at institutions with different course policy arrangements, and to determine whether those reasons were associated with students' motivation, competence, and weekly exercise METs. University students (N = 612) enrolled at two universities were recruited, one with a PAC requirement and one without. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their reasons for enrolling in PACs, motivation, competence, and weekly exercise METs. Reasons for enrolling differed by gender, with "to improve fitness associated with females and "to have fun" associated with males. Different types of motivation and physical activity levels were associated with female students' reasons for enrolling in PACs depending on whether the institution had an elective or required PAC policy. Gender and an institution's PAC policy appear to affect college and university students' reasons for enrolling in PACs.