Adult Upgrading
Adult Basic Education
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Sometimes the hardest part of going back to school is taking the first step. At Okanagan College, our upgrading department welcomes all adult students and provides help for each step of the way.
Upgrading is the right choice if you want to:
- Complete high school graduation requirements
- Upgrade your high school marks
- Complete pre-requisites for the College's program or other university courses
- Develop your reading, writing and math skills
- Improve your career opportunities
- Explore Pathways to a career in Trades or Health including: Health Care Assistant, Therapist Assistant, Certified Dental Assistant, Practical Nursing and Pharmacy Technician
Courses and programs are offered throughout the year, and all College locations offer Adult Upgrading.
Email us
Call us
250-862-5488
Walk in
Come in person to E103, Centre of Learning (Kelowna Campus)
Delivery method
- In-person in Salmon Arm, Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton
- In-person courses start September, January, May or July
- Fall and Winter semesters are 16 weeks long, while Summer semesters are 8 weeks long
- Online courses have September and January start dates. Although these courses are delivered online, you will need to attend classes on specific days and times
Ready to apply?
Take the next step and enrol in the Upgrading program today.
Tuition free!
- Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG) covers student fees, partial travel costs, unsubsidized child care and school supplies.
- The AUG form is awarded based on your income level.
- Need help filling it in? Contact the Financial Aid Office or email upgradinggrants@okanagan.bc.ca.
Program spotlight
Upgrading is the right choice if you want to:
- Complete high school graduation requirements
- Upgrade your high school marks
- Complete pre-requisites for the College's program or other university courses
- Develop your reading, writing and math skills
- Improve your career opportunities
- Explore Pathways to a career in Trades or Health including: Health Care Assistant, Therapist Assistant, Certified Dental Assistant, Practical Nursing and Pharmacy Technician
Skills assessment
Students can complete upgrading skills assessments in-person in 2-3 hours. Check the dates and times below for a campus near you and try out a practice Math skills assessment before you arrive:
Practice Math skills assessment
Please note that pre-requisites must have been completed in the last 5 years. If this is not the case, you will need to take a skills assessment.
Skills assessment dates and times
- Thurs, Dec 1, 12pm-3pm (Room HS102)
- Mon, Dec 12, 9am-12pm (Room TBA)
- Mon, Dec 19, 12pm-3pm (Room TBA)
Please arrive 10 minutes early. If you have any questions, please contact the coordinator by email.
- Fri, Dec 16 at 12pm (Room PC134)
Please contact the coordinator or call 250-492-4305 (ext 3231) for online courses or to schedule an alternate time.
Please contact the coordinator to set up a skills assessment time and date.
- Tues, Dec 6 at 1pm (D334)
Contact the coordinator or call 545-7291 ext 2221 to reserve a space. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for the assessment.
Already a student? Next you'll need to register.
Upcoming courses
Pathways
Please contact Jessica Morcom jmorcom@okanagan.bc.ca if you are interested.
See below for Adult Upgrading prerequisites required for each Pathway.
Pathways to Health:
|
Health Pathway |
Admission Requirements (Adult Upgrading Courses) |
|
Certified Dental Assistant |
English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 012 ( minimum 60%), One of: Chemistry 011, Chemistry 012, Physics 011 or Physics 012 |
|
Early Childhood Education for EL (English Language) |
|
|
Health Care Assistant |
English 070 (English 10 equivalent), A science 011 is recommended |
| Human Service Worker | English 012 (minimum 60%) |
|
Practical Nursing |
English 012 (minimum 70%), Biology 012 (minimum 67%), Math 011 or Math 080 or IALG 011 (minimum 67%) |
|
Pharmacy Technician |
English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 011 or Biology 012 (BC students) (minimum 60%), Math 011 (minimum 60%) |
|
Therapist Assistant |
English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 012, Chemistry 011 |
Pathway to Trades:
Math 005 - Trades Entrance Assessment Preparation Course OR Math 070
When can I start courses?
Start dates vary depending on where you would like to study.
- Penticton: September, January and May
- Kelowna: September, January, May and July
- Vernon: September, January and May
- Salmon Arm: September, January and May
- Revelstoke: September and January
Note: some English and Math classes have continuous intakes, so you can register at any time.
Certificates/Diploma
Fundamental Level Certificate
This level is for students wishing to improve their basic skills or to prepare for the Intermediate Level program.
Intermediate Level Certificate
This level prepares students for the Advanced Level program or for entry into post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 10 or equivalent.
Advanced Level Certificate
This level prepares students for the Provincial Level and, with completion of English 012, for entry into many post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 12 or equivalent.
Provincial Level Diploma
This is the highest level of the Adult Basic Education program and requires rigorous study. The Provincial Level prepares students for admission to post-secondary programs. The student who completes this level is eligible for a British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma. Students should consult an Educational Advisor and carefully select their courses if they plan further study at the post-secondary level.
English courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023
Students must have completed the prerequisites for English courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE English course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English skills assessment. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.
Click on a course name for more information.
Fundamental
Intermediate
Advanced
Provincial
Science courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023
Students must have completed the prerequisites for English and Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE Science course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English and Math skills assessment.
Click on a course name for more information.
- Biology 11 and Biology 12
- Chemistry 11 and Chemistry 12
- Physics 11 and Physics 12
Math courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023
Students must have completed the prerequisites for Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE mathematics course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write a mathematics skills assessment to determine their readiness to enter their desired course.
Click on a course name for more information.
Self-paced courses:
Fundamental
Intermediate/Developmental
Instructor-led courses:
Developmental (equivalent to Math 080 - Instructor led)
Advanced
Provincial
Elective courses available in Fall 2022/Winter 2023
Click on a course name for more information.
Tutoring
- All OC campuses offer FREE tutoring for community members who are 19 or older.
- Get 1-on-1 help with basic reading, writing or math skills with a volunteer tutor.
- Join anytime between September and May.
Experience
Join an info session or become a student for a day.
Ask
Have your questions answered by an advisor or recruiter.
Apply
Take the next step and enrol in a program or course at OC.