Domestic students
Free
Adult Upgrading
Program at a glance
Credential
Other These programs focus on practical, employment-oriented or instructor-focused training. They support skill development for teaching, leadership or workplace advancement.
Delivery mode
On-campus All classes take place in-person at one of our campuses.
Time commitment
Full-Time You take a regular course load and move through the program at the standard pace. Expect to study most weekdays. Part-Time You take fewer courses at once and progress more slowly. This option offers more flexibility for work or personal commitments.
Duration
TBD
Program codes
- Code: AU
Cost
Free Domestic students: See department for details
Location
- Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon arm or Revelstoke Full program offered in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon arm and Revelstoke
Available for
- Domestic students
Program features
TBD
Program overview
About the program
Courses designed for adult learners in a wide range of backgrounds to fit the needs of educational upgrading. Courses fill the requirements of the B.C. Adult Graduation diploma as well as various prerequisites for admission to post-secondary programs.
With our Multi-Access Delivery Model, you can choose to join your classes in person or live online — whatever works best for your life. Either way, the course content and support are the same.
Adult Basic Education prepares students for a range of further studies. Students can earn certificates at the fundamental, intermediate, advanced and provincial levels. These certificates prepare students to meet the requirements of specific College programs; check the Calendar for which admission requirements are needed for your desired program.
The Adult Upgrading (AU) department offers Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses for adult learners with a wide range of backgrounds and needs for educational upgrading. Courses provide students with basic literacy skills, prerequisites for admission to post-secondary programs, and requirements for the B.C. Adult Graduation Diploma. Support services are available for students with disabilities.
Adult Basic Education (ABE) Program
The Adult Upgrading (AU) department offers four Adult Basic Education certificate programs:
Fundamental Level Certificate
This level is for students wishing to improve their basic skills or to prepare for the Intermediate Level program.
Intermediate Level Certificate
This level prepares students for the Advanced Level program or for entry into post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 10 or equivalent.
Advanced Level Certificate
This level prepares students for the Provincial Level and, with completion of English 012, for entry into many post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 12 or equivalent.
Provincial Level Diploma
This is the highest level of the Adult Basic Education program and requires rigorous study. The Provincial Level prepares students for admission to post-secondary programs. The student who completes this level is eligible for a British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma. Students should consult an Educational Advisor and carefully select their courses if they plan further study at the post-secondary level.
While no specific academic background is required, students entering some Adult Basic Education courses may be required to complete a skills assessment if they do not meet specific course prerequisites.
Admission and program requirements
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, landed immigrant, or student authorization issued by Immigration Canada.
- Age Requirement:
- Applicants must: be at least 19 years of age, or 18 years of age and have been out of the public school system for at least 12 months, or have a senior secondary graduation diploma.
- Or, any applicant not meeting these requirements must be recommended for admission by a secondary school principal or counsellor and be referred to the Adult Upgrading Underage Committee of the campus which the applicant wishes to attend. The Committee will interview the applicant who will be admitted only if recommended by the Committee and space is available.
- All students entering any Fundamental Level English or Basic Literacy course for the first time are required to complete an individual admission interview with a Fundamental Level English instructor as a prerequisite. Prospective students should contact the Fundamental Level English instructor or the Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program Coordinator at the receiving Okanagan College campus to arrange an admission interview before registration.
- ABE Mathematics Courses Admission Prerequisites: Students must have completed the prerequisites for Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE mathematics course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write a mathematics skills assessment to determine their readiness to enter their desired course. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.
- ABE Science Courses Admission Prerequisites: Students must have completed the prerequisites for English and Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE Science course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English and Math skills assessment. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.
- ABE English Courses Admission Prerequisites: Students must have completed the prerequisites for English courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE English course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English skills assessment. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.
A minimum of 50% of the program must be completed through OC.
Schedule and campus options
|
Start date
|
Location
|
Delivery mode
|
Application status
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sep. 2026
|
Vernon
|
On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Sep. 2026
|
Revelstoke
|
On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Sep. 2026
|
Salmon Arm
|
On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Sep. 2026
|
Penticton
|
On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Sep. 2026
|
Kelowna
|
On-campus
|
Open
|
|
Jan. 2027
|
Vernon
|
On-campus
|
Upcoming
|
|
Jan. 2027
|
Revelstoke
|
On-campus
|
Upcoming
|
|
Jan. 2027
|
Salmon Arm
|
On-campus
|
Upcoming
|
|
Jan. 2027
|
Penticton
|
On-campus
|
Upcoming
|
|
Jan. 2027
|
Kelowna
|
On-campus
|
Upcoming
|
Tuition and fees
- Domestic students: See department for details
-
Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
-
All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
Total of Four subjects required
Complete All of the following:
Two subjects required:
ENGL 070 - English 070
or both
and both
Plus two (2) from the following list:
Four subjects are required in total.
Complete All of the following:
One from list below
ENGL 080 - English 080
or both
Plus one from List A, a minimum of one and a maximum of two from List B, and (if needed) a maximum of one from List C:
Complete All of the following:
List A:
IALG 011 - Introductory Algebra 011
or both
or both
or both
MATH 084 - Mathematics 084
MATH 011 - Pre-Calculus 11
List B:
List C:
Complete All of the following:
Five subjects required
Advanced Level Mathematics or Higher
ENGL 012 - English 012