Academic Upgrading

Admission Requirements

There are six intakes for this program offered per year. Please see the following chart to determine which semester to apply for. 

Applications are accepted until the program start date but are subject to change.

• Winter 2022 start: applications open March 30, 2021.
• Spring 2022 start: applications opened on June 14, 2021.
• Summer and fall 2022 start: applications are open Oct. 6, 2021.

Admission requirements

• Minimum of 50% in the following courses or their equivalents:
  • English Language Arts 10-1 or 10-2, or successful completion of an English placement test.
  • Pure Math 10 or Applied Math 10 or Math 10C or Math 10-3 or successful completion of a math placement test.

• Students will be required to complete testing in the relevant subject areas if transcripts are not available.
• All applicants to SAIT must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. For more information, please see English Proficiency.
• View High School Course Equivalencies by Province.

How to apply for Academic Upgrading

Registration opens approximately two months prior to the start of course start dates. 

Step 1: Apply to Academic Upgrading and submit your transcripts and/or anticipated final grades.*

Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above. You may be required to complete a placement test within two or three weeks of applying to satisfy admissions requirements. You will receive confirmation through acceptance. 

Step 3: Find out how to monitor your application status after you apply.

Placement testing

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 are required to determine the proper level of placement in academic upgrading courses for math and physics. Placement tests in other subject areas are also available if you are not meeting prerequisites through high school transcripts. Contact upgrading@sait.ca for more details.

View the table below for courses that require placement testing. Please download and review the appropriate study guide and formula sheet prior to taking the placement test for your desired course.

*Students who have passed SAIT’s upgrading Math or Physics courses are not required to take placement testing.

An individualized program plan will be created. A program plan maps out the courses that need to be taken each semester and will be created for students based on their transcript and/or test results.

Courses

Program outline

All SAIT upgrading courses are 3 credits. Three classes (9 credits) is considered full-time.

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

For more detailed information, click here.

Progression

For course upgrading pathways click here.

Students 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. 

Attendance Requirements

Regular attendance is linked closely with student success in courses. Academic Upgrading has an attendance policy to help ensure that students give themselves the best chance of being successful in their upgrading courses. Please click here to download a copy of our attendance policy.

Costs

2021/22 Domestic Tuition and Fees*

⁺This fee applied annually at the beginning of your student year for the duration of your program.

2021/22 International Tuition and Fees*

⁺This fee applied annually at the beginning of your student year for the duration of your program.

SAIT Fees

Campus athletic and recreation Fee: $91.60 per semester
Universal transit pass (UPass): If you are taking two courses during the semester, you may be eligible to purchase the UPass. If you are taking at least three courses, $155 will be added to your SAIT fees per semester.
Student support fee: $37.50 ($75 for 3 courses)
Student technology fee: $37.50 ($75 for 3 courses)

Health and Dental Fees

Applied after 3 courses for domestic students and 1 course for international students:

• Health Plan: $122
• Dental Plan: $130
• Students with comparable health and dental coverage through a different provider can opt-out – refer to the  Saitsa website for details on opting out or adding dependents.

Cost and supplies

• Books and supplies are approximately $150 to $200 per course.
• For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a device that meets the standard hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.

Find out about tuition and financial aid. You could you potentially qualify for funding for your upgrading courses if you:

• Are out of high school for more than 12 consecutive months
• Are unemployed, working less than 20 hours per week and/or earning a modest annual income
• Are 18 years old and are a Canadian Citizen, Permanent resident or Convention Refugee

If you can answer yes to all three or have any other questions then click here for more details.

* Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.

Next steps for incoming students

Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.

Winter 2022

Orientation

Your program orientation will take place Jan. 7 and 8 online or on campus. Check your schedule in mySAIT for the time and location details.

Learn more about our SAIT-wide orientation activities.

How to register for classes

You'll follow an open registration process to enrol in your classes. Learn how to register on our registration and schedules page.

Computers and laptops

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

Preparation courses

To support your success, two short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year: 

PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities

This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.

PREP 100: The SAIT Experience

Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.

Part-time students may register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca.

Required textbooks

Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.

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.

Contact 

Phone: 403.210.5756  
Email: upgrading@sait.ca

Academic chair

Enda Morley, Academic Chair
Email:  enda.morley@sait.ca

Next steps for all students

Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!

Next steps for accepted students

Important dates and deadlines

Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.

Important Dates