Academic Upgrading

Academic Requirements

The Academic Requirements for the Academic Upgrading program are designed to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the coursework. Here are the key requirements:

• Minimum GPA: Not specified.
• Grade 10 Language Arts (English 10-1 or English 10-2), or
• Academic Upgrading placement test.

Note: Most individual Academic Upgrading courses also have course-specific prerequisites which must be met before students can enroll.

For international students, the following deadlines apply:

• International Applications Open: Jan 01, 2024
• International Applications Deadline: Jan 15, 2025

It is important to note that transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

We encourage all students to apply as soon as possible to secure their place in the program. For any clarification or support regarding the admission process, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Language Requirements

English is the language of instruction at NAIT. To satisfy the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement when applying to a NAIT program, you can meet the requirement in one of the following ways:

1. Complete consecutive, full-time studies in English: You will meet this requirement if you have completed at least:

• 3 years of high school (or a combination of high school and post-secondary) in Canada or in a country on NAIT’s ELP exempt country list, including completion of Grade 12 English; or
• 2 years of post-secondary in Canada or an ELP exempt country.

Your studies must have been in English, full-time, and consecutive.

2. Complete specific English language courses: Achieve acceptable marks in one of the following English language courses:

• Canadian high schools: English 30-1 (65% or higher) or English 30-2 (70% or higher).
• NAIT: All three ESL Level 6 courses with a passing grade of 60% or higher in each course.
• Bayswater: University Pathway Program - Level 8 with 80% or higher.
• Global Village: English for Academic Purposes (EAP) - Level 7 with 80% or higher.
• ILSC Canada: English for Academic Purposes – Advanced 1 program (or higher) with a passing grade of B or higher.
• International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC): Pathway 3.2, 3.3, or 3.4 with 75% or higher.
• St. George International College (SGIC): University & College Preparation Program with 70% or higher.
• Oxford House College: English for Academic Purposes (EAP) with 70% or higher.
• University of Alberta: EAP137 (or equivalent) with completion (pass).

3. Take an ELP test: NAIT accepts the following ELP assessment tests and the minimum test scores:

• IELTS Academic: 6.0 in each section.
• NAIT’s ELP Exam: 73% or “B” in each section.
• Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB): 8.0 in each section.
• CAEL: 60 overall score.
• Cambridge English Language Assessment: B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169 in each section.
• TOEFL iBT: 20 in each section (effective Fall 2025: 70 overall score, with a minimum score of 17 in each section).
• Duolingo: 115 overall score, with a minimum score of 100 in each integrated subscore.
• Michigan English Test (MET): 59 overall score.
• PTE Academic: 58 overall score.
• LanguageCert B2 Communicator Test: 38 in each section.

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.