Adult Upgrading
Adult Basic Education
Start here
Phone: 250-762-5445 - ask to be transferred to Jessica Morcom (ext 4936)
Email: kelownaupgrading@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 236-420-6711 - ask to be transferred to Michael Rutten (ext 3245)
Email: pentictonupgrading@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-545-7291 - ask to be transferred to Simone Palmer (ext 2221)
Email: vernonupgrading@okanagan.bc.ca
Phone: 250-832-2126 - ask to be transferred to Allison Inkpen (ext 6715)
Email: salmonarmupgrading@okanagan.bc.ca
Upgrading is the right choice if you want to:
- Complete high school graduation requirements
- Upgrade your high school marks
- Complete pre-requisites for the College's program or other university courses
- Develop your reading, writing and math skills
- Explore pathways to a new career
Delivery method
- In-person and online courses available.
- Courses and programs are offered throughout the year, and all College locations offer Adult Upgrading.
Program at a glance
Certificates/Diploma
Fundamental Level Certificate
This level is for students wishing to improve their basic skills or to prepare for the Intermediate Level program.
Intermediate Level Certificate
This level prepares students for the Advanced Level program or for entry into post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 10 or equivalent.
Advanced Level Certificate
This level prepares students for the Provincial Level and, with completion of English 012, for entry into many post-secondary programs that have an admission requirement of Grade 12 or equivalent.
Provincial Level Diploma
This is the highest level of the Adult Basic Education program and requires rigorous study. The Provincial Level prepares students for admission to post-secondary programs. The student who completes this level is eligible for a British Columbia Adult Graduation Diploma. Students should consult an Educational Advisor and carefully select their courses if they plan further study at the post-secondary level.
English courses available in Fall 2023/Winter 2024
Students must have completed the prerequisites for English courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE English course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English skills assessment. An interview may also be conducted to help determine the appropriate level.
Fundamental
- English 40 (41/42)
- English 50 (51/52)
- English 60 (61/62)
Intermediate
- English 70 (71/72)
Advanced
- English 80 (81/82)
Provincial
- English 12
Science courses available in Fall 2023/Winter 2024
Students must have completed the prerequisites for English and Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE Science course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write the AU English and Math skills assessment.
- Biology 11 and Biology 12
- Chemistry 11 and Chemistry 12
- Physics 11 and Physics 12
Math courses available in Fall 2023/Winter 2024
Students must have completed the prerequisites for Math courses within the five years prior to the start date for the ABE mathematics course in which they wish to register. Any student not meeting this requirement will be required to write a mathematics skills assessment to determine their readiness to enter their desired course.
Self-paced courses:
Fundamental
- Math 40 (41/42)
- Math 50 (51/52)
- Math 60 (61/62)
Intermediate/Developmental
- Math 70 (71/72)
- Math 80 (84/85)
Instructor-led courses:
Developmental (equivalent to Math 080 - Instructor led)
- Introductory Algebra 11
Advanced
- Math 11
Provincial
- Math 12
Elective courses available in Fall 2023/Winter 2024
- Computer Studies 60
- Computer Studies 70
- Computer Studies 11
- Social Studies 11
- Law 12
- Psychology 12
- Education and Career Planning 12
Pathways
See below for Adult Upgrading prerequisites required for this Pathway.
Pathways to Health | Admission Requirements (Adult Upgrading Courses) |
| Certified Dental Assistant | English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 01 |
See below for Adult Upgrading prerequisites required for this Pathway.
Pathway | Admission Requirements (Adult Upgrading Courses) |
| Health Care Assistant | English 070 (English 10 equivalent), A science 011 is recommended |
See below for Adult Upgrading prerequisites required for this Pathway.
Pathway | Admission Requirements (Adult Upgrading Courses) |
| Human Service Worker | English 012 (minimum 60%) |
See below for Adult Upgrading prerequisites required for this Pathway.
Pathway | Admission Requirements (Adult Upgrading Courses) |
| Pharmacy Technician | English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 011 or Biology 012 (BC students) (minimum 60%), Math 011 (minimum 60%) |
See below for Adult Upgrading prerequisites required for this Pathway.
Pathways to Health | Admission Requirements (Adult Upgrading Courses) |
| Therapist Assistant | English 012 (minimum 60%), Biology 012, Chemistry 011 |
Skills assessment
Students can complete upgrading skills assessments in-person in 2-3 hours.
Pre-requisites must have been completed in the last 5 years. If this is not the case, you will need to take a skills assessment.
Skills assessment dates and times
- Mon, Jan 6, 1-4pm, B213
- Thurs, Jan 9, 1-4pm, B213
Students may attend the assessments without registering. Please arrive 10 minutes early.  If you would like to take an assessment at an alternative time, please contact jmorcom@okanagan.bc.ca to schedule an appointment. 
- Tuesday, January 7 at 1pm in PE C02
Please contact Mike Rutten at mrutten@okanagan.bc.ca or call 250-492-4305 (ext 3245) for online courses or to schedule an alternate time.
Individual Assessments:
Please contact the AU Coordinator to set up a time to write the math or English skills assessment.
Coordinator: Allison Inkpen ainkpen@okanagan.bc.ca 250-762-5445 ext 6715
*It is a good idea to speak with an Education Advisor both before and after an AU skills assessment. Please contact our Salmon Arm education advisors to schedule an appointment.
Please call Simone Palmer at 545-7291 (ext 2221) or email spalmer@okanagan.bc.ca to reserve a space. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for the assessment.
Tutoring
- All OC campuses offer FREE tutoring for community members who are 19 or older.
- Get 1-on-1 help with basic reading, writing or math skills with a volunteer tutor.
- Join anytime between September and May.
Experience
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Ask
Have your questions answered by an education advisor or future student facilitator.
Apply
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