About this program
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Campus: Welland & NOTL
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Delivery Length: Flexible
Overview
Prepare for college...at college!
Niagara College Academic Upgrading is now open in Hamilton!
We are now welcoming learners at 225 King William Street. Click on How to Apply below and select Hamilton Site in your submission.
If you do not have your high school diploma or you previously completed high school and need to refresh your skills, Niagara College’s tuition-free Academic Upgrading program may help you achieve your career goals.
This program has a continuous intake.
The Academic Upgrading program is offered at Niagara College’s Welland campus and Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake (days, evenings and Saturdays), as well as partner locations in Port Colborne and Fort Erie (day classes only).
After completing an intake, receiving confirmation of acceptance, and completing an orientation session, students will be contacted by Academic Upgrading faculty to start their course(s). Tuition fees and costs of materials are paid by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and training support allowances may help pay for child care, technology costs, and transportation while you are in class.
Highlights
Ministry-funded program offering access to learning resources and potential financial support.
Student Advisors help you choose the courses that are right for you.
Start dates throughout most of the year (September to June).
Choose to only take the courses required for admission to a college program.
Complete the requirements for the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate, an equivalent to Grade 12 when applying for work or apprenticeship.
Study in a college environment and enjoy the benefits offered to NC students including access to library resources, campus Fitness Centres, cafeteria, and health services.
Further Educational Opportunities
- ACE Certificate
- Postsecondary studies at the college certificate, diploma, or advanced diploma level
- Pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and skills training programs
- Essential Skills for Employment
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Étudier en français au Collège Boréal
Pour en savoir plus, clique sur ce lien pour te rendre sur le site du Collège Boréal.
- t’inscrire au collège sans 12e année
- faire du rattrapage scolaire/ Upgrading
- compléter une formation à la carte
- Participer à des ateliers pour la préparation à l’emploi et aux apprentissages
Tu peux participer au programme AFB/ACE à Welland au YMCA, où le Collège Boréal loue des locaux pour offrir des programmes.
tel. 905-735-2211 poste 7263
Courses
For course details, use ENSD, MASD, CAPL, STDV, BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS as the subject, depending on which course you’re reviewing using the Course Lookup Tool.
ACE Certificate (Grade 12 equivalent)
ACE Certificate Option
As part of the Academic Upgrading program, you may optionally choose to complete the requirements for the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate, which is accepted as equivalent to Grade 12 (OSSD) by Ontario community colleges and for registration as an apprentice.
Mandatory courses:
- ACE Communications ENSD1088
- ACE Math (Choose 1):
- MASD1085 ACE Core Mathematics
- MASD1081 ACE Technical Mathematics
- MASD1082 ACE Business Mathematics
- MASD1083 ACE Apprenticeship Mathematics
- Completion of 2 additional elective(s) ACE courses required:
- CAPL1085 ACE Computer Studies
- STDV1084 ACE Self-Management
- BIOL1061 ACE Biology
- CHEM1061 ACE Chemistry
- PHYS1061 ACE Physics
- MASD1081 ACE Technical Mathematics
- MASD1082 ACE Business Mathematics
- MASD1083 ACE Apprenticeship Mathematics
- MASD1085 ACE Core Mathematics
AND
Online ACE Certificate Option
- The ACE program is offered online through ACE Distance Delivery.
- For more information visit: www.acedistancedelivery.ca or email [email protected].
- Pour plus d’informations (en français), veuillez envoyer un courriel à [email protected].
Communications
- Pre-Ace English ENSD 1185
- ACE Communications ENSD1088
Mathematics
- MASD1085 ACE Core Mathematics
- MASD1081 ACE Technical Mathematics
- MASD1082 ACE Business Mathematics
- MASD1083 ACE Apprenticeship Mathematics
Biology / Physics / Chemistry
- BIOL1061 ACE Biology
- CHEM1061 ACE Chemistry
- PHYS1061 ACE Physics
Computers
- CAPL1085 ACE Computer Studies
Self-Management
- STDV1084 ACE Self-Management
Admission Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
This program is for residents of the Niagara Region who:
- May not have a grade 12 diploma
- Have a grade 12 diploma and need to upgrade their skills or grades to apply for college
- Lack specific courses/subjects needed to apply for a college program.
- Are 18 years of age or older.
- Are Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, Refugee Claimant, or Convention Refugees.
- Are eligible to work in Ontario.
- Must be able to speak and listen well enough to benefit from lessons in the language of instruction (English).
Fast Track Biology Option
Are you interested in a career in healthcare? Are you looking to bridge from PSW to Practical Nursing? Do you require a biology credit to achieve your postsecondary plans?
The Fast Track Biology program will allow you to complete ACE Biology in 10 weeks.
This biology course provides learners with a strong knowledge of biology as it applies to healthcare. Emphasis will be given to fundamental anatomy and physiological processes. The key principles of foundational human biology will foster an understanding of cellular interactions and the body systems. The content of the course reflects the needs of many adult learners entering post-secondary college programs in healthcare.
How to Apply
For more information or to apply for Academic Upgrading please fill out the form below.
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Getting Started in Academic Upgrading
Welcome to Academic Upgrading at Niagara College! Congratulations on taking the next step in your educational journey. We look forward to supporting you along the way, as you prepare for college at college!
Once you have been registered as a Niagara College student, there are a few steps to take prior to starting classes. We've also outlined some helpful resources for you below.
Set Up Your NC Account
- Your email account will be provided to you once you have completed the set-up and will look like [email protected].
- Your password is the same for both MyNC and Blackboard.
- For step by step instructions, watch the How to Setup Your Username and Password video.
Orientation
You must attend an Orientation session in person, virtually, or complete the Self-Guided Orientation. You will be contacted by a Niagara College professor to schedule an orientation session.
Orientation will familiarize you with MyNC, which includes Microsoft Office Suite (which you can download for free), and Blackboard.
Resources
Training Support Allowances
Training support allowances are available in the Academic Upgrading program to assist eligible learners with some of the costs associated with returning to school. Funding is provided by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Types of supports available:
- Technology (e.g., headphones)
- Transportation (e.g., bus pass, parking)
- Childcare (limited subsidy)
For more information including how to apply and eligibility requirements, please contact your student advisor to fill out a Training Support Authorization Form.
Niagara College Student Card
Your Niagara College Student Card is useful for getting discounts from businesses around the Niagara Region. Each student is issued one free student ID card at the beginning of their time at Niagara College.
Please visit niagaracollege.ca/idcards/ for more information.
Parking and Transit
Parking on campus requires you to pay through HonkMobile for hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly.
Please visit Niagara College Parking Services for more information.
Library + Learning Commons
Discover what's available for you on the NC Library and Learning Commons website.
Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services
We understand that being successful at college is not just about being good at academics. You may experience any number of challenges that may affect your success at Niagara College; that is where we come in.
HWAS is your single location for support with physical and mental health, personal support, and assistance with disability related needs.
Please visit the HWAS website at niagaracollege.ca/hwas for more information.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
NC expects that, as an adult learner, you are committed to achieving academic success and to contributing to the college community in productive and respectful ways.
Please visit the LauNCh Guide for more information.
Phoebe, who is just 22, gained the confidence to launch her home-based business after successfully completing Academic Upgrading courses at Niagara College and starting the college’s Baking and Pastry Arts program.
Phoebe couldn’t be happier with her decision to undertake Academic Upgrading, which was the starting point of her dream of operating her own business. Her advice to others who might be nervous about Academic Upgrading: “Don’t hesitate. It was a great experience.”
Read Phoebe’s NC Academic Upgrading Story
Laid off from full time employment as a result of the recession, Kelly Cooley found herself in her early 40’s moving back from Kitchener to Niagara seeking a new career. Kelly discovered that Niagara College’s Academic Upgrading program could provide her with the advanced math and sciences that she needed to further her career goal.
“Academic upgrading gets you places that you otherwise wouldn’t get to; it fills your knowledge base…you are always going to need and use what you learn. My upgrading got me to where I am now.”
Read Kelly’s NC Academic Upgrading Story
Despite starting NC’s Academic Upgrading program at the same time that COVID changed traditional methods of learning, Eddie Turner is close to successfully completing his upgrading plan and is looking forward to his future. Although at one time he couldn’t wait to be out of school, he now looks forward to furthering his education and achieving his career goal.
“The world changed. I finally felt that someone heard me. All those supports opened up doors for me.”
Read Eddie’s NC Academic Upgrading Story