Academic upgrading for College admission
Interested in applying to a program but don’t have the subjects or marks you need? Learn how to upgrade or earn high school courses to meet College admission requirements.
Some of our programs require you to have specific Grade 12 Academic courses for admission. You can earn these requirements through:
The Grade 12 Academic courses you complete through these options are often accepted at other post-secondary institutions, but we recommend checking with your intended school before enrolling.
For applicants who require a high school diploma, academic credits can be earned through the Adult Learning Program (ALP).
Adult Learning Program (ALP) and Adult Learning Program – Academic Upgrading
The following courses are available through our Adult Learning Program (ALP) and Adult Learning Program – Academic Upgrading program:
- Mathematics IV (Academic) - MATH 1050
- Biology IV (Academic) - BIOL 1050
- Biology ALP IV - Biology 1010
- Chemistry IV (Academic) - CHEM 1050
- Communications IV (Academic) - COMM 1041
- Physics IV (Academic) - PHYS 1050
- Mathematics IV (Academic) - MATH 1050
Academic and Career Connections
The following courses are available through our Academic and Career Connections program:
- College Mathematics I (MATH 1046)
- College Mathematics II (MATH 1047)
Both courses are required to gain the equivalent of Academic Grade 11 Mathematics.
- College Biology I (BIOL 1046)
- College Biology II (BIOL 1047)
- College Chemistry I (CHEM 1046)
- College Chemistry II (CHEM 1047)
- College Physics I (PHYS 1046)
- College Physics I (PHYS 1046)
- College Physics II (PHYS 1047)
- College Mathematics I (MATH 1046)
- College Mathematics II (MATH 1047)
Both courses are required to gain the equivalent of Academic Grade 12 Mathematics.
Or:
- Pre-Calculus Math I (MATH 1546)
- Pre-Calculus Math II (MATH 1547)
Both courses are required to gain the equivalent of Academic Grade 12 Mathematics.
For Health and Human Services programs, you can also take:
- College Health Mathematics I (MATH 1048)
- College Health Mathematics II (Math 1049)
Both courses are required to gain the equivalent of Academic Grade 12 Mathematics.
- Communications I (COMM 1227)
- Communications II (COMM 1228)
Or:
- Essential Communications Skills (COMM 1000)
- Workplace Development (COMM 1001)
Continuing education
You can register to take the same courses available through our Academic and Career Connections program, but as a continuing education student:
- There are 3 terms every year, and registration for continuing education opens approximately 1 month before classes begin:
- Fall term – September to December
- Winter term – January to April
- Spring/summer term – April to August
- You can take a maximum of 2 courses per term.
- In most cases, each course has 2 parts - both parts are required to gain the equivalent of an Academic Grade 12 course.
More options for upgrading and earning required courses
- Pre-University Mathematics - Math 0110: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Math
For details, visit the Open Acadia website.
- OLCD-UPBI0010 - University Prep Biology (Biology 0010.00): Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Biology.
- OLCD-UPCM0010 - University Prep Chemistry (Chemistry 0010.00): Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Chemistry.
- OLCD-UPWS0020 - University Prep Writing Skills for Academic Study: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 English.
- OLCD-UPPY0010 - University Prep Physics (Physics 0010.00): Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Physics.
- OLCD-UPAM0009 - University Prep Academic Math (Math 0009.00): Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Math.
For details, visit Dalhousie’s university preparation website.
- Pre‑University Biology: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Biology.
- University Writing Skills: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 English.
- Pre-university Physics: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Physics.
- Pre-University Math: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Math.
For details, visit Saint Mary’s University Preparation (UPrep) website.
- CHEM 001 - University Chem Preparation: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Chemistry.
- MATH 001- University Math Prep: Pre-Calculus: Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Math.
For details, visit STFX’s University Preparatory Courses website.
Equivalent to Academic Grade 11 Math:
- Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation - MCR3U
- Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation - MBF3C
- Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation - MCF3M
Equivalent to Academic Grade 11 Physics:
- Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation - SPH3U
Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Biology:
- Biology, Grade 12, University Preparation - SBI4U
Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Chemistry:
- Chemistry, Grade 12, University Preparation - SCH4U
- Chemistry, Grade 12, College Preparation - SCH4C
Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 English:
- English, Grade 12, College Preparation - ENG4C
- English, Grade 12, University Preparation - ENG4U
- Studies in Literature, Grade 12, University Preparation - ETS4U
Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Math:
- Advanced Functions, Grade 12, University Preparation - MHF4U
- Calculus and Vectors, Grade 12, University Preparation - MCV4U
- Mathematics of Data Management, Grade 12, University Preparation - MDM4U
- Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation - MCT4C
- Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation - MAP4C
Equivalent to Academic Grade 12 Physics:
- Physics, Grade 12, University Preparation - SPH4U
- Physics, Grade 12, College Preparation - SPH4C