Preliminary Year

Are you ready for university but don’t have the background for admission? You might want to take a look at the Preliminary Year.

What is the Preliminary Year?

a co-educational pre-university qualifying year
an opportunity to complete first-year university admission requirements and learn the skills you will need to succeed in university: essay writing, taking lecture notes, writing examinations, etc.
students are enrolled in 5.0 academic subjects plus a non-credit course designed to provide study skills and transition support

How is the Preliminary Year Taught?

taught by university professors on the Brescia campus
the program follows the university calendar, with classes beginning in September and ending in April
courses requirements and teaching styles are equivalent to university-level programs

What Skills do Students Receive?

time management
study/examination skills
improvement in reading, writing, and research skills
experience participating in class discussions and seminars

What Happens After the Preliminary Year?
Students can begin their university studies confident of their academic competence. With a minimum overall average of 65% (and where applicable, with required prerequisites) female students are eligible for admission to first-year Arts and Social Sciences programs at Brescia University College. Preliminary Year students may gain admission to The University of Western Ontario or its other affiliates (Huron University College and King's College), or to other post-secondary institutions throughout Ontario and elsewhere.

Admissions Requirements

Ontario High School
Minimum of 24 credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). A minimum average of 70% in an academic program oriented toward university studies, with most courses at the advanced level of difficulty, is required for admission consideration.

Outside of Ontario
Eligibility assessed on evaluation of academic records. Some examples of requirements include:

General Certificate of Education/CXC Certificate
General Certificate of Education (GCE)/General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) with passes in at least five academic subjects at the "O" level (Grade C or higher). These subjects must include English. One of mathematics, science, or a language other than English is recommended.
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Certificate, Grades One-Three (effective 1998) at General Proficiency, will be accepted. Conditional admission is granted to students whose predicted or mock results represent Grades One-Three.

U.S. High School
Grade 11 with "B" standing in three academic subjects. Applicants should rank in the upper half of their class. Grade 12 students with a "C" standing in three of the four Grade 12 academic subjects.

For further information, please contact the Admissions Office at brescia@uwo.ca.