Academic Upgrading

Location(s): In Person (Main Campus), Online

If you don’t meet the requirements for our certificate, diploma, applied degree, and bachelor’s degree programs, our Academic Upgrading program can help get you there.

Complete a variety of our high school equivalency courses depending on your academic goals and journey. We want you to feel comfortable here at SAIT and develop successful strategies for ongoing learning. Many adult learners use the Academic Upgrading program to upgrade high school courses.

All courses are Alberta high school equivalency courses (not Alberta Education credit courses) and are accepted by other Alberta post-secondary educational institutions for admission.

Check the current Alberta Transfer Guide published by The Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer for a listing of all formalized transfer agreements among Alberta post-secondary institutions.

Please note that you cannot use the Academic Upgrading program to earn your high school diploma.

Why upgrade at SAIT

The benefits of taking Academic Upgrading courses at SAIT include:

flexible class times where you can choose when and where to take your classes - during the day, evening, online, or even a combination of in-person and online through our blended option
a supportive environment with access to free student services like tutoring, workshops to improve your learning strategies, assistance with writing, and counselling services.

We recommend you have access to a personal computer for your classes. Attendance and punctuality are directly related to academic success. Attending all your classes gives you a better chance of succeeding on assignments and tests.

As an upgrading student, you may also take Open Studies courses if you take at least one Academic Upgrading course alongside your Open Studies course(s) each semester.

Traits, skills and aptitudes

To succeed in the Academic Upgrading program, you need some key qualities and abilities, including:

motivation and a strong desire to improve your academic skills and achieve your educational goals
time management skills to balance coursework and other responsibilities
self-discipline so you can stay focused while studying and completing assignments
computer literacy
being able to understand written materials in English
study skills, including knowing how to take notes and prepare for exams
effective communication skills, expressing your thoughts clearly verbally or in writing.

Program length

Based on course(s)

Accepts international applicants - not-PGWP eligible

This program is open to international applicants; however, program availability may be limited. This program does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program.

Not eligible for CAJG

This program is not eligible for the Canada Alberta Job Grant.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada

Once you have applied to the program, your transcripts will be reviewed by the Academic Upgrading team to determine the appropriate level of upgrading courses.

You may be required to complete placement tests. You must complete testing in all relevant subject areas if your transcripts are unavailable.

All applicants, including those educated in Canada, must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Admission requirements - Applicants educated outside of Canada

All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.

SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.

Application process

Placement tests may be required to determine the proper placement level in academic upgrading courses for math and physics. Once you have applied to the program, your transcripts will be reviewed by the academic upgrading team to determine the appropriate level of upgrading courses.

Placement tests in other subject areas are also available if you are not meeting prerequisites through high school transcripts.

Learn more about Academic Upgrading placement testing.

Program outline

All SAIT upgrading courses are three (3) credits and 90 hours in length. Three or more classes per semester (9+ credits) are considered full-time studies.

All prerequisites are set at 60% except for Science 10 and SAIT courses, which are 50%.

Available courses

APSC 180 - Science Preparation 3 Credits
BIOL 181 - Biology I 3 Credits
BIOL 182 - Biology II 3 Credits
CHEM 181 - Chemistry I 3 Credits
CHEM 182 - Chemistry II 3 Credits
COMM 181 - Literature and Composition II 3 Credits
COMM 182 - Literature and Composition III 3 Credits
COMN 180 - Literature and Composition I 3 Credits
MATH 100 - Mathematics Foundations 3 Credits
MATH 162 - Technical Mathematics II 3 Credits
MATH 172 - Applied Mathematics II 3 Credits
MATH 180 - Mathematics Preparation 3 Credits
MATH 181 - Mathematics I 3 Credits
MATH 182 - Mathematics II 3 Credits
PHYS 181 - Physics I 3 Credits
PHYS 182 - Physics II 3 Credits

Progression

You must pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program. Admission to SAIT and other post-secondary programs can be highly competitive. Grades higher than a minimal pass improve opportunities for admission to post-secondary programs.

See our course upgrading pathways.

Review our grading and progression procedure >

Books and supplies

Books and supplies are approximately $150 to $200 per course.

MATH 181, MATH 182, and MATH 172 use Open Educational Resources (OERs), so no purchase is required. Some instructors may recommend additional supportive books in the form of math workbooks.

Consider waiting to purchase COMM 181 or COMM 182 textbooks until the first class so instructors can inform you of their preferences.

This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.

Academic Upgrading program advising

For any questions or to set up an advising appointment, please get in touch with Academic Upgrading.

Phone: 403.210.5756
Email: upgrading@sait.ca