Academic Upgrading (AU)
Welcome to the Academic Upgrading (AU) program at Humber Polytechnic.
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 program offers learners the chance to achieve their grade 12 or grade 11 equivalency, improve their high school marks and qualify for the college program, apprenticeship and career of their choice. See table on Course Equivalences below.
The Academic Upgrading Program also offers learners assistance in the following:
- obtaining guidance when applying to college postsecondary programs
- 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
Summer 2025
Registration for our summer 2025 semester classes has closed. You can now register for the fall 2025 semester Information and Assessment Sessions.
Fall 2025
Our fall 2025 semester classes will run from September 2nd - December 12th, 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 fall 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)
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This Employment Ontario program is funded by the Ontario government, Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development.
Upcoming Information and Assessment Sessions for Fall 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, May 28th, 2025
- Wednesday, June 11th, 2025
- Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
- Wednesday, July 9th, 2025
- Wednesday, July 16th, 2025
- Wednesday, August 6th, 2025
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 |
Ontario Secondary School (OSS) Equivalent Course Code |
In-Class Delivery Course | Distance Delivery Course |
| Communicatons | ENG4C - Grade 12 | ACE Communications - ACEC E10 | Not Available |
| Computer Fundamentals | No Equivalent Courses |
ACE Computers - ACEC C10 | Not Available |
| Business Math | MAP4C - Grade 12 | ACE Math Business - ACEC M20 | Not Available |
| Core Math | MEL4E | Not Available | Not Available |
| Biology | SBI3C - Grade 11 | ACE Science Biology - ACEC S20 | Not Available |
| Chemistry | SCH4C - Grade 12 | ACE Science Chemistry - ACEC S10 | Not Available |
| Self-Management/Self-Direction | No Equivalent Courses |
ACE Skills for Success Advising Seminar - ACEC A10 | Not 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.
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 Polytechnic 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).
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.
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
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.
Academic Upgrading Student Guide
Download the 2024-2025 Academic Upgrading Student Guide for information on your program and services available.
