Academic English for Graduate Admission
This program is for you if…
you are looking to meet the English language requirements for Master’s or PhD program admission to the University of Alberta.
Offered exclusively to graduate students, EAP 550 is an intensive course designed to build the language skills necessary for students to be effective, independent participants in graduate studies at an English language university.
Coursework assignments and assessments reflect the demands of graduate level study. Students will use articles from their own field of study to complete assignments.
Completion of EAP 550 fulfills the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement for many of UAlberta's most popular graduate programs.
Register today
meet the University of Alberta proficiency standard in 14 weeks
Complete 1 course: EAP 550
Our EAP 550 course fulfills the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement for many of UAlberta's most popular graduate programs. EAP 550 has been accepted instead of TOEFL or IELTS by the following programs and faculties:
- Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
- Art and Design
- Biochemistry
- Business (MBA)
- Business (PhD)
- Chemistry
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Computing Science
- Dental Hygiene
- Dentistry
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- East Asian Studies
- Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Human Ecology
- Internetworking
- Law (JD)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- Mining and Petroleum Engineering
- Multimedia
- Nursing
- Oncology
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation
- Physical Therapy
- Physiology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Renewable Resources
- Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology
- Sociology
- Surgery
We strongly recommend that you:
- View and familiarize yourself with the university’s international graduate admissions protocol.
- Contact your prospective UAlberta graduate program to verify your language proficiency requirements before enrolling in this course.
Prerequisites:
- Must have completed an undergraduate degree
- EAP 136 (formerly EAP 140)
- OR have a minimum TOEFL® score of 69 iBT™
- OR 6.0 IELTS™
- OR Duolingo English Test score of 100, minimum band score of 95
- Note: Eligible candidates may be requested to complete an additional assessment
Total cost: C$4,800 – includes tuition, health insurance & services, student services, and access to our Student Engagement Centre.
Dates & Schedules
September 2 - December 17, 2025
May 4 - August 19, 2026
Course Overview
This is an intensive course designed to build the language skills necessary for students to be effective, independent participants in graduate studies at an English language university. Course content focuses on developing the advanced reading, writing and speaking skills required in graduate school. Coursework assignments reflect the demands of graduate level study.
Program Policies
Student Expectations
Please familiarize yourself with expectation around technology, classroom environment, academic honesty, and more: Student expectations info sheet.
Arrival and Registration
Students who arrive a week after the first day of class may not be permitted to join class.
Change of Registration
The English Language School will only transfer registration to the next term if there is a legitimate reason (medical, personal emergency, study permit problems and so on).
Transfer requests must be submitted at least 5 days before courses begin ($75 transfer fee). Visit the ELS (ED 4-107) or email elsinfo@ualberta.ca to request a course transfer.
Grade
Withdrawing from a course prior to the withdrawal deadlines listed below will result in a grade of ‘WP’ appearing on the student’s U of A transcript. Non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal. Students who do not formally withdraw will be assigned a grade based on coursework completed.
Withdrawals
In order to withdraw from class, you need to complete a withdrawal form at the English Language School. If you withdraw before the first day of class, you will receive a refund minus $500 (withdrawal fee). If you withdraw on or after the first day of class, you will not receive a refund.
Effective Fall 2025:
In order to withdraw from class, you need to complete a withdrawal form at the English Language School. If you withdraw 5 days prior to the first day of class, you will receive a refund minus $75 (withdrawal fee).
Withdrawal Deadlines
Continuing Education Students
Program term |
Withdrawal deadline* |
| Spring/Summer term | August 14, 2025 |
| Fall term | December 11, 2025 |
*No withdrawal requests will be accepted after the withdrawal deadline. Please see refund policy above.
Authorized Leave
International Students attending the University of Alberta English Language School and holding full-time student visas are permitted to request a short “leave” from their program of study. Students may request medical leave, maternity leave, or personal leave to return temporarily to their home country.
Authorized leave from ELS should normally be scheduled after completing a regular term of study. In order to properly notified Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and to ensure continuity of student visas, it is important to note the following:
- For a planned authorized leave (returning home for vacation), students must submit an "Authorized Leave Form" to ELS administration at least 2 weeks before their planned departure date.
- Unplanned emergency leave requests (returning home for urgent medical procedure) should be accompanied by supporting documentation and will be expedited.