Program Details
Upgrading courses are offered in 3 terms so you have flexible options while upgrading. Most courses are offered during the daytime, with some evening and online options available so you can work around your personal and professional commitments.
Students have the choice to select their delivery from fully online synchronous classes or fully in-person. Both deliveries are instructor lead.
Fall Term: September to mid-December (15 weeks in total). On-Campus Day, Evening or Online synchronous delivery.
Winter Term: January to end of April (15 weeks in total). On-Campus Day, Evening or Online synchronous delivery.
Spring Term: May to end of July (courses are condensed and move at a rapid pace in this 12-week term). On-campus Day and Online synchronous delivery only.
Course Prerequisites (pdf)
Winter 2025 Course Schedule (pdf)
Standard Course Details
- All courses are 5 credits.
- Final exams are written in the last week of each term.
- Additional course work will be required outside of class time.
- Students can take 1 – 3 courses depending on the need for full or part-time studies.
Program Expectations: Attendance and Engagement
In the Academic Upgrading program, we believe in empowering our students to take charge of their own learning journey. We recognize that success is driven by motivation, active participation, consistent attendance, and effort. Please take the time to review program expectations whether taking on-campus or online courses.
Read more
Tuition & Fees
It’s important to plan your tuition and finances. Tuition deadline dates are posted in your MyNAIT student portal for the term of studies. Full fees will need to be paid by the deadline, no matter who is paying, or you will be cancelled.
2024-25 Tuition Fee Schedule (pdf)
For more details please visit the Tuition & Fee tab.
Funding Options
Funding is available to upgrading students who qualify.
Investigate your eligibility and how to apply on the ESL and Academic Upgrading Funding webpage.
Enrolled in two upgrading courses per term will qualify you for full-time funding eligibility through the Foundational Learning Assistance Program.
Academic Upgrading students are not eligible for student loans.
Students relying on funding must be prepared to pay for courses in full by the tuition deadline, as funding will need time for processing is applying late.
If you are being sponsored other than through Foundational Learning Assistance Program funding, the company will have to complete the Third Party Sponsorship degree, diploma and certificate form and submit.
Testimonials
“The program has been a great experience for me. My favourite part about the program is that it has given me the chance to understand the material in the Math 30-1 that I did not understand in high school. I did not take Physics 30 in high school, and even though this is my first time taking the course, I have been able to do very well through the Academic Upgrading program. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that despite the courses being online, the professors are very involved with the students, and are always available to help you if you don’t understand something. The professors put a lot of effort into teaching their lessons because they want the students to do well in their courses. I would definitely recommend this program to my friends or anyone who needs another course or better grades to get into their desired program. The Academic Upgrading program has allowed me to achieve my goals of receiving high marks so that I can apply for a competitive program.”
Talitha, 2023
“My gratitude [goes] to all Academic Upgrading people, who help[ed] me from the year 2019 until now. I received an invitation for the interview in my program, without the help of each one of you, I wouldn't be here. I learn[ed] so much from Academic Upgrading not only in academics but also in life in general. I am thirsty for knowledge, and all the great instructors were able to help me to fill my jar with their knowledge, understanding, and wisdom from their life experiences. The Academic Upgrading admin also help[ed] me with my questions, payment, and registration promptly. Each one of you has a part in my journey, your little help is counted because now I can reach a higher place.”
Maria Inggriani, 2022
“I was a student in the Math 30-2 asynchronous course. The instructor was very accessible, professional, and helpful throughout the course. As a full-time working mother with two toddlers, this course gave me the freedom of completing it anytime and anywhere.
I was afraid in the beginning that the video presentations would be hard to understand, so I even talked to a tutor to get help. I soon learnt, I had to cancel the tutor, because the videos were very clear and understandable.
I have already recommended it to a couple of my friends.”
Pawan Billing, 2021
Before you apply
- Review the information for the course(s) you want to study.
- Note that a GED will not be accepted for the entrance requirement or for required course prerequisites
Transcripts
If you studied in an Alberta high school, you do not need to submit transcripts for admission. If you studied in high school outside of Alberta, Canada, you will need to submit high school transcripts with your application online; if you do not have them, you can take a placement test before you submit an application.
*If you plan to apply for funding, you will need to apply online to Academic Upgrading first. It is recommended to apply as early as possible.
Course Enrolments
Students can enrol into classes following the below chart
| Students who took a NAIT placement test to meet a course prerequisite |
Open Studies Student |
Accepted and Continuing Academic Upgrading Students |
| Definition: I wrote an Academic Upgrading placement test and have been accepted into the Academic Upgrading program. |
Definition: I didn’t apply to the Academic Upgrading program. |
Definition: I have been accepted into the Academic Upgrading program (after submitting an online application). |
| Step 1: Review Course Times and Delivery modes: |
Step 1: Review Course Times and Delivery modes: |
Step 1: Review Course Times and Delivery modes: |
| Step 2: Please email continuingeducation@nait.ca with course you wish to enroll in. |
Step 2: Choose your course(s)
Math 10, Math10C, Science 10, Biology 20, Biology 30, Computer and Skills Studies
|
Step 2: Login to the MyNAIT Portal |
| |
Step 3: Follow this application checklist. |
Step 3: Click: Manage Classes
Click: Enroll in Credit Courses
|
| |
Step 4: Pay full tuition within 24 hours. |
Step 4: Apply for funding |
Self-enrolments into Academic Upgrading courses can only be completed once you have been accepted and deposit is paid for the program, or you are enrolling into the courses that have been identified as Open Studies. Thus, an online application must be completed.
Placement test results, Open Studies, or other career program students will not be able to enrol into grade 11 or 12 course levels. You will have to email continuingeducation@nait.ca for program permission.
Make sure to check the prerequisite chart found under the Before Applying tab to make sure you have the course prerequisites. Proof of course prerequisites will be determined by official high school transcripts submitted at the time of your application or from an Academic Upgrading Placement test.
Depending on where your official transcripts are from, course equivalency and transfer credit posting for Self – enrolment can take 24 – 72 hours to successfully complete course enrolments.
The majority of upgrading courses are held during the day and with an instructor leading the class. Courses are delivered on-campus or online – synchronously during the week. We do not have weekend classes.
Enrolment in two courses are considered a full-time. We do not recommend enrolling in more than three courses.
Scholarships & Awards
NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!
Learn how to apply for awards
International Applicants
This program accepts international students.
PGWP Eligibility: This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement effective November 1, 2024. Students who applied for a study permit before Nov. 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.
While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.