English Language Proficiency

At a glance

Credential: certificate of completion
Credits: N/A
Next start: monthly

The English Language Proficiency program at Athabasca University is an online 4 course series aimed at boosting your English skills for various settings, from university to the workplace. You can complete the program at your own pace, and it's easy to start—just take an online self-assessment and you're on your way!

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About English Language Proficiency

Athabasca University's online English Language Proficiency Program is designed to help non-native English speakers excel in university studies, employment, and social situations. The program consists of four courses, including one required course and three electives tailored to your needs, which you can identify through an online self-assessment. Upon successful completion, you'll receive a certificate of completion and be better equipped to communicate effectively in various settings.

Admission requirements

Before enrolling in this program, you must sign up for a student login and take the online self-assessment test. If you need guidance, you can contact the English language studies coordinator.

You must be 16 or older to become an AU student. You can enrol any time and start right away, regardless of your previous education.

Program details

Overview

Athabasca University's online English Language Proficiency program focuses on improving your English in 3 important ways:

University studies: gain the English skills you need to succeed in college courses
Employment: improve how you communicate at work, so your language skills match your experience and education
Social situations: boost your confidence and ability to interact in different social settings

The English Language Proficiency program is not an undergraduate program. It is a program made up of specific courses to improve your English language skills. After completing this program, you should be able to use English to communicate in a variety of settings.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 2 years of part-time study. There is no time limit for completion.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

Estimated program costs are available in the Calendar.

Financial aid and awards

We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
0 credit total	$906	$906	$844	$844

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$223.50	$223.50	$207.50	$207.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
3 credit total	$921.50	$921.50	$859.50	$859.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
4 credit total	$1,145	$1,145	$1,067	$1,067

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
6 credit total	$1,592	$1,592	$1,482	$1,482

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
9 credit total	$2,262.50	$2,262.50	$2,104.50	$2,104.50

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
0 credit total	$1,093	$1,093	$1,031	$1,031

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$223.50	$223.50	$207.50	$207.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
3 credit total	$1,108.50	$1,108.50	$1,046.50	$1,046.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
4 credit total	$1,332	$1,332	$1,254	$1,254

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
6 credit total	$1,779	$1,779	$1,669	$1,669

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
9 credit total	$2,449.50	$2,449.50	$2,291.50	$2,291.50

0 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Out of country fee	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **
0 credit total	$1,690	$1,690	$1,628	$1,628

1 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
Out of country fee	$261	$261	$261	$261
1 credit total	$484.50	$484.50	$468.50	$468.50

3 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of country fee	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **
3 credit total	$1,705.50	$1,705.50	$1,643.50	$1,643.50

4 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of country fee	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **
4 credit total	$1,929	$1,929	$1,851	$1,851

6 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of country fee	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **
6 credit total	$2,376	$2,376	$2,266	$2,266

9 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of country fee	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **	$784 **
9 credit total	$3,046.50	$3,046.50	$2,888.50	$2,888.50

Courses

In this program, you'll start with a required course that focuses on developing your writing skills. Then, you can choose from a variety of elective courses that cover everything from grammar to reading and writing for academic purposes, or even English for specific areas like business.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Certificate of Completion.

Our program course plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you'll take them in. If you're feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program requirements

Calculate course fees

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.

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Resources and links

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