Program Overview

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Academic Communication Certificate

The Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) is designed for English learners who want to improve their English skills to enter Canadian university or college programs. Through intensive instruction of English for Academic Purposes (EAP), students will learn essential skills for an academic setting and acquire critical knowledge for a successful transition to Canadian university culture.

Admission Requirements

Students must fulfill one of the following minimum requirements:

• Completion of Level 6 of UCalgary English Language Program Semester Program (ESL 100) with a minimum final grade of B+ in each course
• TOEFL iBT score of 70, minimum of 20 in Writing
• IELTS Academic score of 6.0 overall, minimum 6.0 in Writing, 5.5 in all other skill areas
• CAEL score of 60 overall, minimum of 60 in Writing
• Duolingo English test score of 110 overall, 100 in production

In the event that students display English language performance that is significantly different from the English language proficiency scores they submitted, the student will be assigned to the course level that aligns with their in-class performance.

Courses

EAP 220: Academic Writing & Composition (58 hours)

Focus on writing effective academic paragraphs and essays while mastering essential sentence skills and reading critically.

EAP 225: Research Writing & Form (58 hours)

Focus on the process of writing research papers and critical responses while mastering critical reading and thinking. Students will attain advanced skills in comprehension, analysis, interpretation, and citation required in research writing.

EAP 230: Critical Listening & Note-taking (52 hours)

This course prepares English learners transitioning to an English-speaking university setting with the skills needed to engage in critical academic listening across content areas.

EAP 235: Oral Communication & Presentation Skills (52 hours)

Develop essential skills that will help English learners defend ideas in academic settings, present coherent concepts, speak thoughtfully in discussions, and contribute to group projects.

EAP 249: Academic Success Tutorials (20 hours)

Seminars designed to facilitate success in the Canadian undergraduate degree-credit environment. Topics include academic integrity, critical thinking, exam conditioning and preparation, health and wellness, learning styles, study strategies, time management, understanding learning objectives, and university customs and policies.

Program Details

• Program Hours: 250 hours
• Price: $4,975

Experience Value

Our tuition includes the following, and more:

• Course materials: Textbooks and handouts
• Public transit access: Public train and bus pass for courses 12 weeks or longer
• Health insurance: Emergency health insurance for international students
• Social events: Organized social events for students
• Recreation facilities: Use of recreational facilities on campus for courses that are 3 weeks or longer
• Campus resources: Access to the campus library, computers, and WiFi

Class Schedule

Class time could change. Each 13-week term has a one-week break (reading week) with no classes.

Sample Timetable (Week 1-6)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Morning	Academic Writing and Composition, Critical Listening and Notetaking	Academic Writing and Composition, Critical Listening and Notetaking	Academic Writing and Composition, Critical Listening and Notetaking	Academic Writing and Composition, Critical Listening and Notetaking	Academic Writing and Composition, Critical Listening and Notetaking
Afternoon			Academic Success Tutorials

Pathway to UCalgary Degree Programs

Successful completion of the ACC meets the English language proficiency requirement for admission to applicable UCalgary undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students who start our Semester Program at level 5 or 6 may be admitted to the ACC and to degree programs conditionally if other academic requirements are met.

Conditional Admission

ACC students who apply to an applicable UCalgary undergraduate and graduate degree program, and meet the competitive admission requirements, are eligible for conditional admission.

Undergraduate Programs

The condition of admission for undergraduate programs will be met once a student successfully completes EAP 220, 225, 230, 235 with a minimum grade of B+ and EAP 249 with a CR by August 1 in the year they received conditional admission for. Nursing and Education do not accept the Academic Communication Certificate. Where programs have additional requirements, conditional admission is only valid for the year of application.

Graduate Programs

The condition of admission for graduate programs will be met once a student successfully completes EAP 220, 225, 230, 235 with a minimum grade of B+ and EAP 249 with a CR by August 1, or as designated by the department. Some graduate programs require a minimum grade of A- in some ACC courses or do not accept the Academic Communication Certificate.

Undergraduate Degree Transfer Credit

Students successfully completing the ACC are eligible for 6 units of transfer credit towards a University of Calgary undergraduate degree program. Students receive 3 units of transfer credit for ACWR 201 (Academic Writing 201 - Introduction to Academic Writing) and 3 units of transfer credit for ENCO 2XX (Non-Specific Introductory English Course).

ACC to Open Studies to UCalgary Undergraduate Degree Programs

UCalgary Open Studies allows eligible students to take University degree-credit courses before being admitted into a degree program. Students who have completed the ACC before the fall or winter terms may take up to four Open Studies courses (subject to availability) which may be applied towards their degrees prior to starting their undergraduate degree programs in the fall.

Sample Timelines for Undergraduate Program Admission

Students can start the Semester Program or ACC in any term that allows them to complete the ACC before the fall term.

IELTS 5.0 or equivalent	IELTS 5.5 or equivalent	IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
Spring 2025			ACC
Fall 2025	ESL Semester Program Level 5	ESL Semester Program Level 6	Start Degree Program
Winter 2026	ESL Semester Program Level 6	ACC
Spring 2026	ACC	Open Studies (Optional)
Fall 2026	Start Degree Program	Start Degree Program