Adult Upgrading
Campus
- Kelowna
- Vernon
- Penticton
- Salmon Arm
- Revelstoke
Legend:
- Full program offered
- Partial program offered
Credential
Other
Delivery options
Full-Time, Part-Time
Tuition and fees
Free - see department for details
-
All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
The Adult Upgrading (AU) department offers Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses for adult learners with a wide range of backgrounds and needs for educational upgrading. Courses provide students with basic literacy skills, prerequisites for admission to post-secondary programs, and requirements for the B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma. Support services are available for students with disabilities.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) Program
The AACP department offers four Adult Basic Education certificate programs:
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.
While no specific academic background is required, students entering some Adult Basic Education courses may be required to complete a skills assessment if they do not meet specific course prerequisites.
Adult Basic Education prepares students for a range of further studies. Students can earn certificates at the fundamental, intermediate, advanced and provincial levels. These certificates prepare students to meet the requirements of specific College programs; check the Calendar for which admission requirements are needed for your desired program.
Start dates vary depending on where you would like to study. Some English and Math classes have continuous intakes, so you can register at any time.
| Campus | Start date | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Kelowna | Flexible | September-December, 2024 |
| Kelowna | Flexible | January-April 2024. |
| Penticton | Flexible | September-December, 2024 |
| Penticton | Flexible | January-April 2024 |
| Vernon | Flexible | September-December, 2024 |
| Vernon | Flexible | January-April 2024 |
| Salmon Arm | Jan. 08, 2024 | |
| Revelstoke | Jan. 08, 2024 | |
| Salmon Arm | Sep. 04, 2024 | |
| Revelstoke | Sep. 04, 2024 |
Admission requirements
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, landed immigrant, or student authorization issued by Immigration Canada.
- Age Requirement:
- Applicants must: be at least 19 years of age, or 18 years of age and have been out of the public school system for at least 12 months, or have a senior secondary graduation diploma.
- Or, any applicant not meeting these requirements must be recommended for admission by a secondary school principal or counsellor and be referred to the Adult Upgrading Underage Committee of the campus which the applicant wishes to attend. The Committee will interview the applicant who will be admitted only if recommended by the Committee and space is available.
- All students entering any Fundamental Level English or Basic Literacy course for the first time are required to complete an individual admission interview with a Fundamental Level English instructor as a prerequisite. Prospective students should contact the Fundamental Level English instructor or the Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program Coordinator at the receiving Okanagan College campus to arrange an admission interview before registration.
- ABE Mathematics Courses Admission Prerequisites: 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. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.
- ABE Science Courses Admission Prerequisites: 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. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.
- ABE English Courses Admission Prerequisites: 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.
Program outline
Notes
Program specializations
Additional information
View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page
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.