Changes to the University Access Program (UAP)
Please note that UCW will no longer offer University Access Courses (UAC) 010 or 020 starting in the Winter 2025 Term in January.
UCW will continue to offer these courses for the Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 terms.
Students needing to improve their English Proficiency are encouraged to connect with one of our ESL Pathway Partners.
If you have not met the minimum English language requirements for undergraduate or MBA program entry, you can still improve your English skills and qualify for your degree at University Canada West.
The University Access Program (UAP) accredited by Languages Canada covers everything you need for higher level education in an English-speaking institution. The program focuses on Academic English, ensuring that you will be able to study, and complete assignments and examinations with confidence.
UAP will also cover specific academic skills, such as essay writing, research methods, note taking, critical thinking and presentations, giving you a great start to your program at University Canada West.
What you will learn
- Structuring of paragraphs, introductions and conclusions
- Writing using a variety of extended essay genres
- Paraphrasing and summarizing while avoiding plagiarism
- Coherently synthesizing the ideas of other academics with your own
- Referencing style and rules (such as APA and Harvard)
- Sourcing, scanning and selecting materials
- Critically evaluating sources
- Effective notetaking from lectures, and utilizing information
- Expressing yourself clearly and confidently in writing and presentations
- Giving clear, well delivered oral presentations
Course Structure
UAP students have 15 hours per week of class time, all of which helps you build academic English, critical thinking and research skills using a variety of instructional resources. There is ongoing assessment throughout each course with a focus on developing competence in obtaining the necessary reading, writing, listening and speaking skills required for university academic success.
Combined UAP + academic Enrolment
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 preparatory course.
- MBA students in UAC 030 with IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in the writing band can take ACCT 621
- MBA Foundation students in UAC 030 with IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in the writing band can take MBAF 502
- Undergraduate students in UAC 030 can take MATH 101
Entry Requirements
You can meet the English proficiency requirements for admission to our degree programs by successfully completing the advanced level of The University Access Program (UAC 030). Programs range from three (3), six (6) and nine (9) months in length.
- Academic IELTS – 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in the writing band or equivalent for UAC 030 Academic English Preparation (Advanced)
- Academic IELTS – 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in the writing band or equivalent for UAC 020 Academic English Preparation (Upper Intermediate)
- Academic IELTS – 5.0 with a minimum of 4.5 in the writing band or equivalent for UAC 010 Academic English Preparation (Intermediate)
PTE
Overall Score | Overall Score | Overall Score | Overall Score | Overall Score | ||
≥61 | 54-60 | 46-53 | 38-45 | ≤37 | ||
Writing Score | ≥60 | Requirement Met | UAP – 3 Months | UAP – 6 Months | UAP – 9 Months | Rejection |
Writing Score | 53-59 | UAP – 3 Months | UAP – 3 Months | UAP – 6 Months | UAP – 9 Months | Rejection |
Writing Score | 45-52 | UAP – 6 Months | UAP – 6 Months | UAP – 6 Months | UAP – 9 Months | Rejection |
Writing Score | 37-44 | UAP – 9 Months | UAP – 9 Months | UAP – 9 Months | UAP – 9 Months | Rejection |
Writing Score | ≤36 | Rejection | Rejection | Rejection | Rejection | Rejection |
*Requirements are subject to change without notice.
TOEFL (IBT)
Overall Score | ≥88 | 80-87 | 70-79 | 60-69 | ≤59 |
All Sections ≥20 | Requirement Met | UAP – 3 Months | N/A | N/A | N/A |
One (or more) Sections ≤19 | UAP – 3 Months | UAP – 6 Months | UAP – 9 Months | Rejection | Rejection |
*Requirements are subject to change without notice.
TOEFL (PBT)
Overall score | Overall score | Overall score | Overall score | Overall score |
≥75 | 550-574 | 525-549 | 500-524 | ≤499 |
Requirement Met | UAP – 3 Months | UAP – 6 Months | UAP – 9 Months | Rejection |
*Requirements are subject to change without notice.
Duolingo – Undergraduate Programs
English Entry | Overall score | Writing score |
Direct | 110 | 100* |
UAP – 3 Months | 105 | 100* |
UAP – 6 Months | 100 | 95* |
UAP – 9 Months | 95 | 90* |
*Requirements are subject to change without notice.
DUOLINGO – Graduate Programs
English Entry | Overall score | Writing score |
Direct | 115 | 105* |
UAP – 3 Months | 110 | 105* |
UAP – 6 Months | 105 | 100* |
UAP – 9 Months | 100 | 95* |
**Requirements are subject to change without notice.
Cambridge Test
English Entry | Overall score |
Direct | 176 |
UAP – 3 Months | 169 |
UAP – 6 Months | 162 |
UAP – 9 Months | 154 |
*Requirements are subject to change without notice.
UAP Tuition Fees
2024 Fees |
Domestic |
International |
Number of courses | 1-3 | 1-3 |
Cost per course** | $4,950* | $5,730* |
Tuition deposit for international students: $7,900
First term tuition deposit for domestic students: $500
*Additional costs related to textbooks and materials for each course are not included in tuition.
** 30% discount applies for Canadian Forces members and veterans on all programs.
2025 Fees |
Domestic |
International |
Number of courses | 1-3 | 1-3 |
Cost per course** | $5,198* | $6,017* |
Tuition deposit for international students: $7,900
First term tuition deposit for domestic students: $500
*Additional costs related to textbooks and materials for each course are not included in tuition.
** 30% discount applies for Canadian Forces members and veterans on all programs.
2026 Fees |
Domestic |
International |
Number of courses | 1-3 | 1-3 |
Cost per course** | $5,457* | $6,317* |
Tuition deposit for international students: $7,900
First term tuition deposit for domestic students: $500
*Additional costs related to textbooks and materials for each course are not included in tuition.
** 30% discount applies for Canadian Forces members and veterans on all programs.