Bridging Program
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Improve Your English Skills + Earn Academic Credit at U of A
The Bridging Program (BP) is a program for excellent students who meet all of U of A’s academic criteria but still need to improve their English skills in order to enter a degree program. BP students can take English language courses and earn academic credit at the same time.
There are currently five faculties that offer BP English language courses:
- Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
- Faculty of Native Studies
- Augustana Campus (located in Camrose, Alberta)
After you complete the BP successfully, you can continue as a full-time undergraduate student and you’ll already have credit that will count towards your degree.
Why Choose BP?
- The BP will put you on the right path to become a U of A graduate. If you complete the program successfully, you can enter a full-time degree program.
- You’ll be eligible for entrance scholarships.
- As a BP student, you can stay in a U of A student residence. It’s convenient to live on campus, and it’s the perfect way to make new friends.
- You’ll get your own ONEcard, a student ID card, that will give you access to public transit, U of A libraries, athletic facilities and more.
- You’ll have access to top-quality student services. Faculty advisors and the BP advisor are here to help you succeed.
How Does BP Work?
There are two stages in the BP. Your English Language Proficiency scores will determine which stage is right for you. You must meet the requirements of the BP within 12 months of your initial registration.
BP Stage 1
- Duration: Two months
- Course: EAP 135 (0 credit)
After you complete BP Stage 1 successfully, begin BP Stage 2.
BP Stage 2
- Duration: Six to eight months
- Courses:
- EAP 136 (0 credit) + EAP 137 (3 credits)
- When taking EAP 137, students may begin studies in their faculty and enroll in up to three additional academic courses in the Fall or Winter terms.
BP Stage 2 students who are enrolled in EAP 137 (or students who have completed the BP) can enroll in BP-specific classes of selected first-year courses. BP-specific classes are academic courses.
After you complete BP Stage 2 successfully, you can continue as a U of A degree student and take regular academic courses.
Complete program details + course options
Am I Eligible?
The BP is open to all undergraduate applicants who meet the academic criteria required for admission to the faculties participating in the BP but do not yet meet the English Language Proficiency requirement.
Please note: Not all programs in these faculties offer the BP.
Requirements
Academic Requirements
High school applicants:
- five high school subjects as required by your program of interest
- a competitive admission average
Post-secondary applicants:
- a GPA of 2.0 - 3.3 (depending on your program of interest)
- other admission criteria will vary
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Your English Language Proficiency scores will determine which stage is right for you.
| Complete one of the following | Scores required for BP Stage 1 | Scores required for BP Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test This option is valid through the 2028-29 admissions cycle. |
Score of 80 with minimum subscore of 65 | Score of 95 with minimum subscore of 80 |
| IELTS | Total score of 5.0, with no band score less than 4.5 | Total score of at least 5.5 or higher, with no band score less than 5.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | Total score from 40, with no band score less than 12 | Total score of at least 53, with no band score less than 14 |
| CAEL | Total score from 40, with no band score less than 20 | Total score of at least 50, with no band score less than 30 |
| PTE Academic | Total score of at least 36, with no band score less than 29 | Total score of at least 42, with no band score less than 36 |
| CAE/CPE | Scale score of at least 154, with no less than 147 in each skill | Scale score of at least 162, with no less than 154 in each skill |
| U of A EAP | Not applicable | EAP 135 (EXELP 7135): Successful completion |
When Can I Start?
Starting term depends on the faculty to which you’re applying.
| Fall Term | Spring Term | |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences | Yes | - |
| Arts | Yes | Yes |
| Augustana | Yes | - |
| Native Studies | Yes | Yes |
| Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation | Yes | - |
How Do I Apply? What Are the Deadlines?
BP students follow the same application procedures as other applicants and must also meet the same application deadlines. See How to Apply.
To evaluate your application for admission, we will require the following documents:
- official and complete high school transcript(s)
- official ELP score report
- official and complete post-secondary transcripts (two copies) and post-secondary course descriptions (transfer applicants only)
Program Details + Academic Course Options
Course offerings for the BP are below. For advice on selecting academic courses, consult your faculty advisor.
| Admission Term | BP Stage 1 | BP Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term (September to December) | EAP 135 (offered in November to December only) | EAP 136 (offered September to December) |
| Winter Term (January to April) | EAP 135 (offered in March to April only) |
|
| Spring + Summer Terms (May to August) | EAP 135 (offered in July to August only) |
|
Guidelines
Conditions for Withdrawal
- If a student fails to attend EAP courses or withdraws from the EAP portion of their program, they will be immediately withdrawn from both their academic courses and the BP. Fees charged will not be refunded, and academic penalties for not completing courses or withdrawing by the deadline may apply.
- Students will have a maximum of 12 months to complete the EAP requirements of the BP. EAP 135, EAP 136 and EAP 137 can be attempted a maximum of two times. Students who do not successfully complete EAP 137 by the end of the twelfth month will be withdrawn from the BP and the faculty.
- Students who are withdrawn from the BP will not be readmitted to the BP.
- Students in the BP may not use any other English proficiency examinations to replace the required EAP 136 and EAP 137 courses. If a student wishes to take an external English proficiency examination, such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc., to meet the U of A English Language Proficiency requirements, a written statement informing the BP advisor of the intention to withdraw from the program is required. Students will then be required to apply to a faculty for re-admission to the next available term.
Continuing Your Studies
- Academic courses, including EAP 137, taken while in the BP are credit courses that will be recorded on all future U of A academic transcripts. They will be taken into account for academic assessment after the first year as well as for admission to future academic programs. Students planning on continuing in the Faculty must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in their academic coursework.
- Students who successfully complete the EAP courses within 12 months and maintain the minimum GPA as defined by their faculty will be eligible to continue in the faculty. Students wishing to pursue programs offered by other faculties must re-apply by the appropriate deadline.
- Students should consult with the appropriate faculty to determine the competitive GPA required for transfer. Students are responsible for meeting all requirements and document deadlines for the program to which they have applied.
Recommended Academic Course Options
North Campus (Edmonton)
ANTHR 110 (*3)
ART 134 (*3)
ASTRO 120 (*3)
ASTRO 122 (*3)
BIOL 107 (*3)
BIOL 108 (*3)
CHEM 101 (*3)
CHEM 102 (*3)
CMPUT 101 (*3)
CMPUT 174 (*3)
DES 135 (*3)
EAS 100 (*3)
EAS 105 (*3)
EASIA 101 (*3)
HECOL 100 (*3)
MATH 113 (*3)
MATH 114 (*3)
MATH 115 (*3)
MATH 117 (*3)
MATH 125 (*3)
MATH 154 (*3)
MUSIC 101 (*3)
MUSIC 102 (*3)
MUSIC 140 (*3)
MUSIC 141 (*3)
MUSIC 143 (*3)
MUSIC 144 (*3)
NS 110 (*3)
NU FS 100 (*3)
NUTR 100 (*3)
PHYS 114 (*3)
PHYS 124(*3)
PHYS 126 (*3)
PHYS 144 (*3)
PHYS 146 (*3)
RLS 100 (*3)
STAT 151 (*3)
Cost Estimates
International Students
BP Stage 1
Course fee for EAP 135 (0 credit) = $3,189.54*
BP Stage 2
Course fee for EAP 136 (0 credits) = $6,379.08*
Course fee for EAP 137 (3 credits) = $3,189.54**
*Based on the Fall 2024/Winter 2025 program rates. Rates may vary by program.
**Tuition for EAP 137 is included as part of the tuition guarantee for the student’s degree program. Additional fees only apply for programs where EAP 137 is not eligible for credit.
Domestic Students
BP Stage 1
Course fee for EAP 135 (0 credit) = $2,950*
BP Stage 2
Course fee for EAP 140 (3 credits) = $2,950*
Course fee for EAP 145 (3 credits) = $2,950*
3-credit academic course (optional) = $2,950* per course
*Based on Fall 2023/Winter 2024 fee index rates. These rates are in addition to the tuition guarantee program rate.
After you complete the BP successfully and continue in a U of A degree program you will be required to enroll in a minimum of three academic courses per term in order to maintain full-time status. You have the option to enroll in a maximum of five academic courses per term. Most academic courses are three credits each.