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Academic Upgrading (AU)

Welcome to the Academic Upgrading (AU) program at Humber College.

About the Program

The Academic Upgrading (AU) is a tuition-free, non-postsecondary program offered at the Humber North Campus with classes usually scheduled Monday to Friday from 8:55 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The AU program is an Employment Ontario program funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development.

The purpose of the Academic Upgrading Program is to help learners to improve their English, math skills, and computer skills as well as biology and chemistry in lab-based environments.

The Academic Upgrading Program also offers learners assistance in the following:

  • becoming comfortable in a college environment
  • developing an individualized training plan
  • defining career and education goals through self-assessment
  • finding support and encouragement that leads to success

The Academic Upgrading Program is FREE to learners who qualify.

The faculty and staff in the program are committed to helping you form a clearer picture of your career and educational goals as well as the steps that you need to take to reach those goals. Remember the key to successful learning and growth is planning.

Program Delivery

Fall 2024

Registration for our fall 2024 semester classes has closed. You can now register for the winter 2025 semester Information and Assessment Sessions.

Winter 2025

Our Winter 2025 semester classes will run from January 8th - April 22nd, 2025. (Delivery method of classes will be a mix of in-person and online.)

Applicants interested in registering for the Academic Upgrading program for the Winter 2025 semester must attend a virtual Information and Assessment Session (IAS).

Program Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must be:

  • 19 years of age or older by the first day of classes
  • legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person with a Decision Document)
  • a resident of Ontario (show government-issued photo ID)

employment ontario logo

This Employment Ontario program is funded by the Ontario government, Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development.

Questions About Academic Upgrading

Email: academicupgrading@humber.ca
Telephone: 416.675.6622 ext. 74842

Upcoming Information and Assessment Sessions for Winter 2025

We are running our information and assessment sessions online. You will need a computer and internet connection to participate. Please complete the online registration form and select one of the following IAS dates:

  • Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 (session is full)
  • Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 (session is full)
  • Wednesday, October 30th, 2024 (session is full)
  • Wednesday, November 13th, 2024
  • Wednesday, November 27th, 2024
  • Wednesday, December 4th, 2024

We will send you an invitation by email two weeks prior to the date you have selected, confirming the date and time of the session you have registered for. You must confirm that you are able to attend online on that date by replying to the email. This reserves a space for you.

Course Equivalencies

The ministry has recognized our ACE Communications course (ACEC E10) as equivalent to high school grade 12 English (MAP4C) and our ACE Business Math course (ACEC M20) as equivalent to grade 12 math (MAP4C). Refer to the table below for other course equivalencies:

Courses Offered at Humber

AU/Academic Career Entrance
(ACE) Course Title

Ontario Secondary School
(OSS) Equivalent Course Code
In-Class Delivery Course Distance Delivery Course
Communicatons ENG4C ACE Communications - ACEC E10   Not Available
Computer Fundamentals No Equivalent
Courses
ACE Computers - ACEC C10   Not Available
Business Math MAP4C ACE Math Business - ACEC M20   Not Available
Core Math MEL4E Not Available Not Available
Biology SBI3C ACE Science Biology - ACEC S20   Not Available
Chemistry SCH4C  ACE Science Chemistry - ACEC S10   Not Available
Self-Management/Self-Direction No Equivalent
Courses
ACE Skills for Success Advising Seminar - ACEC A10   Not Available

Academic Upgrading Student Guide

Download the 2024-2025 Academic Upgrading Student Guide for information on your program and services available.

Courses Not Currently Offered at Humber

AU/Academic Career Entrance
(ACE) Course Title
Ontario Secondary School (OSS)
Equivalent Course Code
Course Code
Apprenticeship Math MAP4C ACEC M30
Core Math MEL4E ACEC M10
Pre-ACE Science Biology No Equivalent Courses ACEC S15
Pre-ACE Science Chemistry No Equivalent Courses ACEC S05
Technical Math MCT4C ACEC M40
University Stream Biology No Equivalent Courses ACES 021
University Stream Chemistry No Equivalent Courses ACES 011

ACE (Academic Career Entrance) Certificate

Students who complete ACE Communications (ACEC E10), ACE Mathematics (ACEC M20) and any other two ACE level courses, plus earn a grade of 70% or higher in each of these courses receive an ACE Certificate.

Understanding Ontario Secondary School Course Codes

First Three Characters
The first three characters are letter codes representing the type of course.
ENG = English for College
MAP = Foundations of College Math
MEL = Math for Everyday Life
SBI = College Biology
SCH = College Chemistry
SPH = Physics preparation course.

Fourth Character
The fourth character is a number code that represents the level of study for the course.
3 = Grade 11
4 = Grade 12

Fifth Character
The fifth character is a letter code that represents if the course is a College or University preparation level.
C = College
U = University

Example
ENG4U is an English for University course at a Grade 12 level of study and is a University preparation course.

Available Services

Transport Support Allowances

For Academic Upgrading learners who qualify, a transportation allowance is available. Learners will be provided with a transportation allowance for the days in school. Learners must apply for this taxable allowance. Students are reimbursed for only classes that they attend in-person.

Counseling

A counselor is available to assist all Academic Upgrading learners with career counseling. Humber College also has a Counseling and Accessible Learning Services which may provide additional counseling services.

Peer Tutoring

A college tutoring service is available. Academic Upgrading students must apply for this service. The Peer Tutoring Office is located on the 3rd floor of the Learning Resource Commons (LRC).

Parking

There is parking available. Visit Humber Parking for Humber North's parking information.

Lockers

Lockers can be rented for the semester. Visit Humber Lockers for locker rental details. A Humber student number is required.

Other College Services

Academic Upgrading learners have access to most college services. Student numbers and ID cards are required.

Students outside campus building

Related Academic and Career Entrance Programs

Youth Transition Program

Are you wanting to enroll in a post-secondary but have experienced challenges along the way? Humber's Youth Transition Program offers personalized supports to help youth (ages 19 - 29) enter & succeed in the post-secondary program of your choice - whether you have completed high school or not.

As a participant in this FREE 7-week program, You will learn about:

  • College programs and career options that are right for you
  • Receive support with completing your college application (including fees)
  • Learn how OSAP can help pay for your college post-secondary program
  • Career planning
  • Lunch will be provided! Transportation support is also available if needed
  • Exclusive scholarship opportunities to assist with funding your post-secondary education

student smiling