International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP)

Introduction

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) is designed to prepare international students who have completed a high school diploma and aspire to pursue undergraduate studies at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The program extends international students’ appreciation and understanding of Canadian cultural practices while preparing them with the English language and academic skills vital to a successful transition into Canadian undergraduate studies.

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) offers a combination of content-based English language courses together with foundational academic courses that help prepare international students to become effective communicators and collaborators and to build a strong foundation on the learning modalities at Canadian universities. Moreover, students will develop academic literacy skills that include:

  • reading, writing, speaking and listening;
  • visual literacy;
  • collaborative learning;
  • critical thinking; and,
  • technology

In addition to the iUPP’s three (3) compulsory courses, students have the opportunity to take seven (7)mtransferrable elective courses.

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) courses are designed to increase student confidence and encourage them to read, listen and think critically in an English learning environment. Students will learn to evaluate claims, consider multiple perspectives, and synthesize and communicate information confidently and clearly.

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) is an eight-month-long program for international students to earn up to 30 undergraduate academic credits while fulfilling the general English language admission requirement at our partner universities. Students must obtain 70% or higher or a Pass to complete each course in the program successfully. Students must complete all courses successfully to receive a International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) certificate.

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) focuses on the development of English language communication, critical thinking, and visual literacy skills for each student. The competencies students acquire through the suite of International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) courses, while engaging with professors, classmates, and guest lecturers, allow for progression through the program and sound preparation for future undergraduate studies.

Although grammar and vocabulary development are embedded in the six International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) courses listed below, language learning is non-linear and individual students progress through levels of English language proficiency at differing rates. For this reason, small group tutorials are held weekly with students to review relevant grammar and vocabulary and provide students with an opportunity to examine their understanding of key class concepts and information.

  • Acculturation to Canadian academic learning.
  • Earn transfer credits to our partner institutions.
  • Conditional acceptance into selected programs.
  • Enhance students’ academic confidence.

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) offers three (3) intakes yearly (January, May and September). Students can choose to take 3 to 5 courses per semester. So, students can complete iUPP in 8 months if they take 5 courses per semester. Student must take a minimum of 3 courses per semester to maintain full-time status. 

3 core iUPP courses and choose 7 electives.

Semester 1

(Core Course) Understanding Canadian Academic and Cultural Practices

(Core Course) Research Skills & Academic Essay Writing

Semester 2

(Core Course) Analysis and Critical Thinking

Electives

Choose 7 from the 12 below:

  1. Business Communications
  2. Business Fundamentals
  3. Introduction to Marketing
  4. Post-confederation Canadian History
  5. Pre-Calculus
  6. Calculus
  7. Psychology
  8. Principles of Microeconomics
  9. Canadian Indigenous Studies
  10. Financial Accounting Fundamentals
  11. Organizational Behaviour
  12. Physical Geography
# Program Learning Outcome Description
1
Critically read and comprehend academic texts using effective reading and note-taking strategies.
2
Analyze and evaluate a variety of authentic readings from various subjects.
3
Communicate competently at the level required for undergraduate studies, showing flexibility and clarity of thought and expression.
4
Write journals, papers, essays and create presentations to transition to undergraduate studies successfully.
5
Collaborate with classmates to achieve learning goals and contribute to effective working relationships.
6
Develop and apply skills and strategies to ensure academic success in undergraduate studies.
7
Successfully adapt to new formats of learning (e.g., seminar, tutorial).
8
Develop self-efficacy and critical thinking skills.
9
Adherence to academic integrity (e.g., plagiarism, citation, referencing).
  • Relevant diploma from any secondary educational Institution.
  • Transcripts or records of all prior learning.

Students are also required to meet at least one of the following English language requirements:

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) students are eligible for conditional acceptance into the partners’ programs –
General Arts and Science, Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Science, Community Development, Economics, or other programs that may become available to international students. However, one should note that conditional acceptance does not guarantee clear admission into any respective undergraduate programs.

To continue to undergraduate studies, students must meet the Admissions criteria as follows:

  • A completed application form with the application fee.
  • A copy of the passport photo page.
  • Copies of official transcripts in English translation from all high schools and post-secondary institutions attended.
  • English Language Requirement: Successful completion of International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP), or EGC EAP Level 3, or recognized English Proficiency Tests (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 70).

Students will be registered at EGC and receive 30 transferable academic credits and a certificate upon the successful completion of International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP).

International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) students who graduate with an average of B- (70% – 74%) are deemed to have met the English language proficiency score requirement for admission into the partners’ degree program.

Resources and Materials

Each course outline contains a list of suggested texts and learning resources, but these are not exhaustive. A large number of excellent English for Academic Purposes resources at the CEFR B2/C1 level have been published by British and North American publishers. International Undergraduate Pathways Program (iUPP) instructors may wish to use these in their courses or supplement suggested course texts with these materials. Titles include:

Beatty, K. (2018) Leap 3 New Edition, Listening and Speaking. Pearson, ISBN 978-2-7613-8569-5.

Beatty, K.  (2018) Leap 3 Reading and Writing New Edition, ISBN 978-2-7613-8568-8.

Booth, Wayne C. (2016) The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition, University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0226239736.

Blass, L., Vargo, M., & Wisniewska, I. (2016). 21st Century Reading: Creative Thinking and Reading with TEDTalks. National Geographic Learning/ Cengage Learning. ISBN 13: 978-1-305026571-4.

Dew, Stephen E. (205). Practical Academic Essay Writing Skills: An International ESL Students English Essay Writing Book. Create Space, 978-1511482127.

Folse, K., Pugh, T. (2015). Great Writing 5: From Great Essays to Research, 3rd Edition. National Geographic Learning/ Cengage Learning. ISBN 13-978-1-285-75063-7.

Hogue, A. (2013). Longman Academic Writing Series 4: Essays to Research Papers. Pearson. ISBN 978-0-13-466331-9.

Jamieson, John Scott (2018). Academic Inquiry 2: Essays and Research, 2nd Edition.  Oxford University Press. ISBN  978-0-19-902826-9.

Leu, S., Neumann, H. (2017). Academic Inquiry 3: Essays and Integrating Sources. Oxford University Press. ISBN. 978-0-19-902540-4.

McCarthy, M., O’Dell, F. (2017). English Phrasal Verbs in Use, Advanced, 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press. ISBN  978-1-316-62809-6.

O’Dell, F., McCarthy, C. (2017). English Idioms in Use, Intermediate. Cambridge University Press. ISBN  978-1-31-662988-8.

O’Dell, F., McCarthy, C. (2017). English Collocations in Use, Intermediate. Cambridge University Press. ISBN  978-131-662975-8.

Pattison, T. (2015). Critical Reading: English for Academic Purposes. Pearson. ISBN 978-2-7613-5654-1.

Sarosy, P., Sherak, (2013). Lecture Ready Level 2, Second Edition. Strategies for Academic Listening, Note-taking, and Discussion.  Oxford University Press. ISBN: 978-0-19-441728-0.

Tensen, Bonnie L. (2017). Research Strategies for a Digital Age with 2019 APA Updates, Wadworth. 978-1305969407.

All students should purchase reference and resource materials for self-study and support in-class learning.  Suggested resources include:

John B.D., Diniz L, and Reppen R. (2019). Grammar and Beyond Essentials 3, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-697717-0.

Swan, Michael, (2017). Practical English Usage, 4 ed., Oxford University Press. 978-0194202435.

Cambridge, Oxford, Collins, and Macmillan all publish excellent dictionaries. In addition, all are available as online resources.

This program does not require approval by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. As such, PTIRU did not review this program,

Questions?

Contact Us