If you lack the professional or academic qualifications to directly enter the MBA program, or do not meet the English proficiency requirement for a UCW degree program, UCW’s university preparatory courses are designed to help you acquire the skills you need to move forward with your education.

MBA Foundation can help bridge the gap for those who cannot directly enter the MBA program at UCW.

The University Access Program (UAP) helps students, whose first language is not English, meet the English Language Proficiency Requirements for entering their degree program.


On-Campus Programs

Accredited by Languages Canada, the University Access Program (UAP) focuses on Academic English. It will improve your English skills and qualify you for your degree at University Canada West.

If you plan to enrol into an MBA but do not have the professional or academic qualifications, the MBA Foundation university prep course may be the right course for you.

Online Programs

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If you plan to enrol into an MBA but do not have the professional or academic qualifications, the Online MBA Foundation university prep course may be the right course for you.

On-Campus vs Online Study

HYBRID

ONLINE

Location
  • On-campus and online
  • Online
Schedule
  • Classes scheduled each week.
  • When possible, multiple sections with different schedules are available.
  • During registration, students choose a section that is convenient for them.
  • Syllabus identifies materials, activities and assignments for planning purposes.
  • No scheduled classes.
  • Asynchronous, self-paced learning so you can study around your work, family and busy life.
  • All course materials are made available at the start of term, except exams & quizzes, so students can manage their time and plan accordingly.
Attendance
  • Weeks 1-10: Students attend a minimum of two (2) hours of scheduled synchronous (in-person/on-campus) sessions and a minimum of two hours of synchronous or asynchronous online guided learning.
  • Weeks 11-12: Students attend review & final assessment (presentations/exam) sessions.
  • Instructors record attendance in the MyUCW Student Portal.
  • Weeks 1-10: Students access course content online and complete tasks.
  • Weeks 11-12: Students complete review activities and final assessments (exams/projects).
  • Instructors consider student participation in forum discussions and completion of online activities when taking attendance in the MyUCW Student Portal.
Participation
  • Students participate in applied, interactive activities with instructors and classmates during scheduled class time (minimum two (2) hours per week) plus prepare for class sessions in online forum discussions, activities and homework before or after class time (minimum two (2) hours per week).
  • Students participate in online applied activities (minimum four (4) hours per week) with instructors and classmates through discussion forums and by completing other individual or group activities.
Course Content
  • Syllabus
  • Course materials provided plus additional items added by the instructor, readings, videos, etc. in the Learning Management System.
  • Syllabus
  • Course materials provided plus additional items added by the instructor, textbooks, PPT slides, readings, videos, etc. in the Learning Management System. All course materials made available at start of term except exams & quizzes.
Instructional Activities
  • Applied interactive activities: mini lectures, case studies, Riipen employer projects, simulations, debates, discussions, homework, assignments, tasks, projects, etc.
  • Applied online interactive activities: recorded mini lectures, case studies, simulations, discussion forums, homework, assignments, tasks, projects, etc.
Interaction
  • Students can ask questions during the scheduled synchronous sessions and online discussion forums in the Learning Management System, or during scheduled in person office hours.
  • 2 hours of available office hours per week per course.
  • Students can ask questions through discussion forums in the Learning Management System and emails to instructors, or during scheduled virtual office hours.
  • 2 hours of available virtual office hours per week per course.
Assessment
  • Diversified assessments: case studies, assignments, quizzes, exams, group or individual projects, presentations, etc.
  • Quizzes and exams are proctored on campus or facilitated by Examity (online invigilation platform)
  • Assignments are submitted through Turnitin for Academic Integrity.
  • Diversified assessments: case studies, projects, presentations, assignments, quizzes and exams, etc.
  • Quizzes and exams are proctored by Examity (online invigilation platform).
  • Assignments are submitted through Turnitin for Academic Integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all students meet the MBA eligibility requirements and must take a term of MBA Foundation courses first. Some students can even start their degree program courses at the same time as the MBA Foundation courses. This university prep course is comprised of three classes – Business and Academic Writing, Quantitative Skills for Business and Economics from a Business Perspective.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at University Canada West (UCW) will prepare you for leadership on the global stage. This ACBSP and NCMA-accredited degree will allow you to apply pragmatic solutions to problems faced by organizations. The program also includes relevant digital components from industry leaders such as Salesforce, Tableau and IBM to keep you up to date on future technology trends.

Many students complete University Access Course (UAC) 030 (Advanced) before starting the next stage of their academic journey. Undergraduate students in our Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication or Bachelor of Commerce can start their degree program after completing these preparatory courses. MBA students will be ready for either MBA Foundation or the rigours of their degree program once they have completed UAC 030.

In addition to meeting the English language proficiency requirements for your chosen degree program, UAP university prep courses will help you develop essential academic skills such as essay writing, critical thinking and research techniques which will streamline your university experience.

You can take either three, six or nine months of UAP preparatory courses depending on your Academic IELTs (or equivalent) score.

The University Access Program (UAP) is accredited by Languages Canada.

MBA and MBA Foundation students with sufficient IELTS scores in University Access Course UAC 030 and undergraduate students in UAC 030 can take a single quantitative academic course at the same time as their university prep course. Please visit the UAP page for the specific requirements and what academic courses can be taken during UAP.

You may need to take both UAP and MBA Foundation at UCW and we’re here to support you throughout your academic journey. Students requiring both preparatory programs first take the UAP program, followed by the MBA Foundation courses.