Academic Upgrading

The majority of upgrading courses are held during the day and with an instructor leading the class. Courses are delivered on-campus or online – synchronously during the week. We do not have weekend classes.

• Fall term: September to mid-December (15 weeks in total). On-campus day, evening or online synchronous delivery.
• Winter term:  January to end of April (15 weeks in total). On-campus day, evening or online synchronous delivery.
• Spring term:  May to end of July (courses are condensed and move at a rapid pace in this 12-week term). On-campus day and online synchronous delivery only.

• Students can take 1 – 3 courses pending scheduled times.
• Two courses in a term is considered full-time studies for this program.
• Proof of prerequisites will be required. See How to Enrol tab.

See course schedules below:

Fall 2025Winter 2026Spring 2026

It’s important to plan your tuition and finances. Tuition deadline dates are posted in your MyNAIT student portal for the term of studies.

Full fees will need to be paid by the deadline, no matter who is paying, or you will be cancelled.

2024-25 Tuition Fee Schedule (pdf)

For more details please visit the Tuition & Fee tab.

• Funding is available to upgrading students who qualify.
• Investigate your eligibility and how to apply on the ESL and Academic Upgrading Funding webpage.
• Being enroled in two upgrading courses per term will qualify you for full-time funding eligibility through the Foundational Learning Assistance Program.
• Academic Upgrading students are not eligible for student loans.
• Students relying on funding must be prepared to pay for courses in full by the tuition deadline, as funding will need time for processing.
• If you are being sponsored other than through Foundational Learning Assistance Program funding, the company will have to complete the Third Party Sponsorship degree, diploma and certificate form and submit.

In the Academic Upgrading program, we believe in empowering our students to take charge of their own learning journey. We recognize that success is driven by motivation, active participation, consistent attendance, and effort. Please take the time to review program expectations whether taking on-campus or online courses.

Read more

See when applications open for each term. 

Yes, our upgrading courses follow 80% or greater of the Alberta Education curriculum.

Our program is identified as equivalent within Transfer Alberta.

No. Many of the classes require prerequisite courses with a pass mark. See our prerequisite chart for details.

If you do not have the prerequisite, you can take the Academic Upgrading Placement Test at your cost. 

As a newly accepted Academic Upgrading student, it may take up to 72 hours after you pay your tuition deposit before you can enrol in classes. Please allow for this time if you are receiving an error when you try to choose your courses.

If you are unable to enrol after this timeline, please contact continuingeducation@nait.ca.

Be aware that each upgrading course will require course-specific prerequisite(s) before enrolments can be completed. Be sure to review the course description to understand which prerequisites are required for each course.

In your MyNAIT Portal Self Service, select the class section to view the class delivery method under the Enrolment Information tab, in Class Notes. You can view more details by selecting the Class Details tab.

• In-person (A0): If a course is delivered in-person on campus.
• Remote Live Delivery (OA0): online class is scheduled with an instructor at a specific time for students to attend.
• Remote On-Demand Delivery (O0): This online learning is best for students who are looking for flexibility and self-paced. Students choose what times work best for them to complete their online coursework and meet published deadlines with instructor supports.

Yes. Important lecture information delivered by the instructor in online classes will enhance and support learning.

Class lectures are recorded, but not necessarily the whole class delivery.

Academic Upgrading only has a select few courses you can take as an Open Studies student. They are Math10C, Science 10, Biology 20 and Biology 30.

You do not have to complete an online application if you take one of the listed courses above. Full tuition fees must be paid within 24 hours of enrolment.

See more details on the Open Studies Pathway information.

The Academic Upgrading program will require proof for admission and all course specific prerequisites. For further information, go to the How to Enrol tab.

If you are a mature student, learn about tips, considerations and supports available.