Program Overview

Introduction to the Bridging Program for Women

The School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies at York University offers academic bridging courses for women who want to upgrade their writing and speaking skills and explore the possibility of university study.

Program Overview

Bridging courses are designed to help individuals develop the skills and confidence to continue their education. The program provides a supportive group environment where participants can improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills, explore their education options, and prepare for future university study.

Program Information

Eligibility

Course participants must be 20 years of age or over, out of school for a minimum of 2 years, permanent residents of Ontario, and comfortable in both spoken and written English. The Bridging course is not appropriate if you require ESL instruction.

Orientation

A week before classes begin, there is an information session held at the site where the course will be taught. This allows participants to learn about the course schedule and material, to ask questions of the instructor, and to register and purchase books.

Fees

This program is subsidized by York University as part of its community outreach program. The fee for community-based courses is $150 per student, plus the cost of reading materials. Some book sets are available on a lending basis to those in financial need.

Course Completion

Upon completion, a grade of 'B' or better means you can get an offer of admission to the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Glendon, in addition to some programs in other Faculties.

Course Details

• Bridging courses normally span 13 weeks, with classes held once a week for three hours, typically in the evening.
• Class size ranges from 15 to 25 students, depending on demand.
• Though other models are possible, and some of our courses have welcomed male participants, the majority of our courses have been designed exclusively for women.
• Instructors are carefully chosen to be sensitive to the needs of the community and/or workplace and to the academic standards of university-level education.
• All instructors have held or currently hold positions at York University and are qualified to teach both content and critical skills.

Course Content

• The course material, drawn from Canadian sources and written by women, focuses on issues and concerns pertinent to women, and gender and women's studies.
• Over the years, topics have included issues of race, ethnicity, and equity, the construction of gender, feminism, and women's activism.
• Participants have found the material relevant to their lives, and the open, supportive atmosphere essential to their individual growth, self-esteem, and academic self-confidence.
• Students are given an opportunity to practice oral skills in group discussions and formal seminar presentations.
• They learn and are given an opportunity to apply and practice a range of strategies for reading fiction and non-fiction, for identifying and evaluating arguments, for analyzing an assignment, generating ideas, developing a thesis, and so on.
• In addition to in-class writing assignments and oral presentations, students are required to complete a variety of formal writing assignments.

Upcoming Courses

• Course participants must be 20 years of age or over, permanent residents of Ontario, and comfortable in both spoken and written English.
• A grade of 'B' or better offers admission to mature students to the Faculties of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Glendon College, in addition to some programs in other Faculties.
• The Bridging course is not appropriate if you require ESL instruction.
• If you have completed one full year or more of university or academic college studies, you may not need a Bridging course as an admissions credential.

Winter 2026 Courses

Course 1

• Location: York University – Keele Campus, 4700 Keele Street, Founders College, Room 201, Toronto ON M3J 1P3
• Weekly: Wednesdays, 6:30 - 9:15 p.m.
• When: January 28 – April 8, 2026

Bridging Book

A book that chronicles the history, development, and successes of the Bridging Program for Women is available, marking 25 years of Bridging Courses for Women at York University.