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Adult Basic Education

Flexible high school-level courses

Where: College Wide
Starts: Continuous entry
  • Complete or upgrade courses for entry into business, health, and trades programs or university transfer courses.
  • Study independently online or in a supported classroom environment at any NIC location.

Course subjects include: English, biology, chemistry, computers, geography, history, mathematics, physics.

Why Choose North Island College?

  • Tuition is free! The cost for college courses is free for all upgrading courses. You only pay for fees and books. Fees range from $5 to $50 depending on the course.
  • Start anytime. Many upgrading courses have start dates in September, January, and May. There are also many flexible and online courses, which make it possible for you to study at your own pace or schedule classes around jobs and child care.
  • Start at your own level. Skills assessments make choosing courses easy, ensuring that you are placed in the right class level for success.

Program Highlights

Whether your goal is to complete your Grade 12 for a better job, to enter a career program, or to start your degree, upgrading is often the first step for NIC students. These tuition-free courses help students meet the entry requirements for programs as well as for college and university level courses. Available course subjects include English, biology, chemistry, computers, geography, history, mathematics, and physics. All upgrading courses are transferable, so programs started at NIC may be completed at another college/institution or vice versa.

How to Start Upgrading

Students interested in upgrading should start by speaking with a Student Advisor in person or by telephone. Student Advisors will discuss your goals and determine if upgrading is needed. For example, many students are surprised to find out that, depending on the program, they might need English and math.

Before receiving course recommendations or a program plan, students will be asked to submit any transcripts they may have or complete a skills assessment. If a skills assessment is required, students will attend a "Prep" appointment to learn how to prepare for their skills assessment and book a convenient time to write the assessment. Assessment services are available at campuses/centres.

Once the assessment is complete, our Student Advisors schedule a feedback meeting in person or by telephone to recommend courses for you or a program plan.

Course Timetables / Study Options

Students will find a wide variety of upgrading courses available at all NIC locations. Student Advisors will provide a current timetable of courses specific for your campus or centre, including scheduled, self-paced, in-class, online, and distance options. 

Admission Requirements

  1. Complete and submit the NIC Application for Admission form, writing Adult Basic Education as the program name.
  2. Submit any transcripts you may have.
  3. Meet with a Student Advisor to discuss your upgrading goals. A skills assessment may be required and will be booked at this time.
  4. If you have a documented disability, please contact Access for Students with Disabilities for assistance with your assessment.

Once you have submitted transcripts and/or completed an assessment, our Student Advisors will recommend courses from the following list and which are best suited to your current skill level and personal goals.

Fundamental level courses provide students with the reading, study skills, writing and math they need to move on to other courses or for personal satisfaction.

Intermediate level courses provide the skills to meet the requirements of some employers and some vocational programs.

Advanced level courses provide the skills to start some vocational or technical training.

Provincial level courses provide the skills for grade 12 equivalency and the Adult Graduation Diploma.

English

  • ENG-013 – Fundamental English Level 1
  • ENG-014 – Fundamental English Level 2
  • ENG-015 – Fundamental English Level 3
  • ENG-025 – Fundamental English Level 4
  • ENG-026 – Fundamental English Level 5
  • ENG-027 – Fundamental English Level 6
  • ENG-032 Intermediate Writing Skills
  • ENG-033 Intermediate Sentence & Grammar Skills
  • ENG-034 Intermediate Reading Skills
  • ENG-039 Spelling
  • ENG-052 Advanced English
  • ENG-060 Introduction to Literature
  • ENG-062 Provincial Technical English
  • ENG-098 Essay Writing and Critical Reading

Mathematics

  • MAT-023 Fundamental Mathematics Level I
  • MAT-024 Fundamental Mathematics Level 2
  • MAT-025 Fundamental Mathematics Level 3
  • MAT-033 Intermediate Mathematics I
  • MAT-034 Intermediate Mathematics II
  • MAT-046 Advanced Level – Developmental Mathematics II or
  • MAT-053 Advanced Mathematics or
  • MAT-054 Advanced Business and Technical Mathematics
  • MAT-060 Provincial ABE Mathematics

Sciences

  • BIO-051 College Preparatory Biology I
  • BIO-060 Introducing Biology (College Preparatory Biology II)
  • CHE-051 College Preparatory Chemistry I
  • CHE-060 College Preparatory Chemistry II
  • PHY-050 College Preparatory Physics I
  • PHY-060 College Preparatory Physics II

Other Subjects

  • CEP-031 Online Career & Education Preparation & Planning
  • CPS-025 Fundamental Computer Literacy
  • GEO-060 Physical & Human Geography
  • HIS-060 Twentieth Century History
  • STS-093 Critical Reading and Study Methods
  • FNS-060 First Nations Student Skills 1
  • FNS-061 First Nations Student Skills 2
  • FNS-065 BC First Nations Studies