Adult Basic Education

Why Choose North Island College?

• College is NOT high school. At NIC, you are part of an adult learning community, with fellow classmates who are working toward a specific goal.
• Your classes are flexible and free. Upgrading classes offer a variety of daytime and evening classroom sessions that you can work around your personal schedule. Plus, the courses are free. You only pay for books. And funding may be available to cover those costs. Fees range from $5 to $50 depending on the course.
• You'll start at a level that feels right for you. Our skills assessments make choosing courses easy, ensuring that you are placed in the right class level for success.
• We’ll help you keep up. At NIC, you’ll work through your lessons at your own pace, but you won’t be all alone. Our instructors help you keep moving forward, providing extra instruction and encouragement every step of the way.

Did you know ...

Your past high school grades don’t matter. What matters is where you’re headed. We’ll help you get started at a level that feels right, and you’ll move forward at your own pace with one-on-one instructor support.

You might not need math. Depending on the program, you may only need a C in English and no math at all. Even if you do need to upgrade or refresh your skills, you can often take upgrading and start your college program at the same time.

You can finish your Grade 12 along the way. If you’re planning to take a college program, you can also take Upgrading courses at the same time and graduate from college with your Grade 12 BC Adult Grad diploma, too. This may qualify you for a wider range of job opportunities. Ask a student advisor for details.

How Does Upgrading Work?

Our student advisors will work with you to recommend courses best suited to your current skill level.

1. Speak to an advisor to find out if you need to upgrade.
2. Apply to the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program
3. Take a level assessment or try to remember where you left off in high school
4. Work with your advisor to develop your course plan
5. Register and start classes

Course Timetables / Study Options

You will find a wide variety of upgrading courses available at all NIC locations in September, January, May and June. Courses are self-paced within a four-month time frame with instructor support and follow up. 

Student advisors at your nearest campus or centre will provide a current timetable of courses suited to your goals, including in-class and distance options that make it possible for you to build you timetable around jobs and child care. 

Contact a student advisor to make your appointment today.

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-017 Fundamental Math Level 1
• MAT-018 Fundamental Math Level 2
• MAT-019 Fundamental Math Level 3
• MAT-025* Fundamental Mathematics Level 3
• MAT-027 Fundamental Math Level 4
• MAT-028 Fundamental Math Level 5
• MAT-029 Fundamental Math Level 6
• 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

*Please Note: MAT-025 will still be offered in the Fall 2012 to accommodate any current students who need this course in order to meet any program pre-requisites.  The material covered in MAT-025 has now been integrated into 3 new courses; MAT-027, MAT-028 and MAT-029.

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

• 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