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. 

Fall, Spring and Summer 2021 start: applications are open Oct. 7, 2020, until the program start date but are subject to change.

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.

*You do not have to apply each semester as once you are in the program and taking courses, you can carry on to the next semester without having to reapply. However, taking a break for two semesters will require you to fill out an Intent to Return form (cost $120).

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.

Study guides are available for the following placement tests:

• English Placement
• Biology 20
• Chemistry 10
• Chemistry 20
• Physics 10
• Physics 20
• Math Placement

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

Domestic tuition and fees*

*This is a one time payment that covers two 15 week semesters within the academic year.

International tuition and fees*

*This fee will be charged per semester for international students.

SAIT fees

Campus athletic and recreation fee: $80 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 three courses, the $302 will be added to your SAIT fees.
Student support fee: $25 ($50 for 3 courses)
Student technology fee: $25 ($50 for 3 courses)

Health and Dental Fees

Domestic Students 

• Health Plan: $122
• Dental Plan: $130
• For students with existing health and/or dental plans, please refer to the  Saitsa website for information on opting out.

International Students 

• Health and Dental Plan: $172
• For more information on Health and Dental Benefits for International students please contact the  International Centre.

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 and use our cost calculator to get your estimated yearly cost for the program.

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 2021

Orientation

Orientation for new students will take place online on Jan. 8, 2021.

To find the time and platform, visit our orientation page.

Delivery 

All classes in this program will be delivered online for the Winter 2021 term due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health and safety guidelines.

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, SAIT offers some short courses before classes start, including PREP 100: The SAIT Experience and ETHI 110: SAIT Ethical Practices. 

Required textbooks

The Winter 2021 booklist will be available in late November. 

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