Succeed in an English-speaking academic or professional environment.
Niagara College’s EAP is a high-quality, comprehensive program designed to help you build confidence and master the English language skills needed to thrive in college, university, or the workplace. Applicants to this program should be in the process of completing, or have completed, their final year of secondary school.
- Build English language skills across five progressive levels- from beginner to advanced – for internationally trained learners.
- Designed for students aiming to:
- Improve academic English before college/university and confidently meet the demands of postsecondary education in English-speaking environments.
- Advance professional English skills to support career growth and succeed in today’s global workplace.
- Gain English skills for your life in Canada.
- Learn from qualified Canadian instructors, certified by Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) Ontario and TESL Canada.
- Start your studies in: January, March, May, July, September or November- with flexible intake options to suit your schedule.
- Learn at your pace with four-month sessions or fast-track your progress with the two-month Short Term EAP option.
- 23 to 25 hours of classes per week, scheduled Monday to Friday for a consistent and engaging learning experience.
- Immerse yourself in Canadian culture and build global friendships through weekly organized social events and activities designed for international learners.
- Earn a certificate of achievement upon successful completion of Level 5.
- Get well-prepared to pursue further studies in a postsecondary English environment or apply your skills in English-speaking professional settings.
- Meet the language requirements for eligibility to apply for undergraduate diplomas, certificates, graduate programs, or degrees at Niagara College by completing Level 5.
- Develop dedicated test-taking strategies and skills to excel in the IELTS exam and other English assessments.
- Join mid-term by enrolling in the final 7 weeks of the EAP 14-week program, covering half of the level curriculum – ideal for those unable to arrive at the start of the term and who want to improve their English and immerse themselves in Canadian culture in as little as two months.
- Determine your starting level by completing a Niagara College placement test or submitting an accepted external English language proficiency score.
- For students wishing to pursue post-secondary studies following their studies in the English for Academic Preparation program, please note that a minimum of 6 months of English for Academic Preparation studies is typically required to meet admission requirements (dependent upon level placement).
The EAP and Short-Term EAP are open to all international students, as well as to students from Canada who speak English as an Additional Language. Please note that these programs are not eligible for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) funding.
Francophone Quebec residents, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents can apply using a separate online form.
- English language proficiency tests are not required for placement assessment in the EAP level placement as students can complete the Niagara College Placement Test on-site on Orientation Day.
- If students wish to submit their own English testing, please see the following list of accepted placement assessments:
- Duolingo
- IELTS Academic
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)
Postsecondary Admission
Meet the English language proficiency requirement listed on your Letter of Acceptance by
- Completing Level 5 with a 70% average for Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma programs.
- Achieving a 75% average in Level 5 for most Degree and Graduate Programs.
No additional English language proficiency tests are required when these conditions are met.
Placement Test Details
The Niagara College English Placement Test helps us place you in classes that are appropriate for your level. The test includes a speaking interview, a writing task, and a computerized assessment designed to evaluate your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. It is administered by a member of our School of English Language Studies.
Note: If you were in the EAP program before but have been away for more than one term, you will be required to take the placement test before you can return.
EAP Program Courses
| Level 1 and 2 – English Foundations | Level 3 – Academic Foundations | Level 4 – Academic Foundations | Level 5 - Career and Academic Readiness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Speaking | Applied Grammar | Applied Comprehension and Multimedia Literacy |
| Listening | Listening | Comprehension Skills and Strategy | Active and Accurate Writing |
| Reading | Reading | Speaking Production | Speaking Production |
| Writing | Writing | Academic Writing | Listening and Note Taking Skills for College Preparation |
| Grammar | Grammar |
EAP Academic Progression
| Levels 1–4 | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Pass all classes with a minimum 50% average and proceed to the next level. | Pass all classes with a minimum 70% average to become eligible for postsecondary (Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma) programs at Niagara College. |
| Pass all classes with a minimum 90% average and become eligible to take a Niagara College placement test with the possibility to skip one level. | Pass all classes with a minimum 75% average to become eligible for Degree and Graduate programs at Niagara College. |
Explore bursary and scholarship opportunities designed to support your English studies at Niagara College.
Study at our Welland Campus, located on 100+ acres of land, and benefit from a focused and enriching learning environment. The campus is nestled in a residential area that is close to restaurants, shops, and single-family homes.
Choose from flexible housing options to support your needs. These include on-campus residence, placement with a Canadian family through NC’s Homestay Program, or personalized support in finding an apartment or house to rent.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:
- A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
- Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
- An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
- Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.
Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.
Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products.
New EAP students: You will take a placement test during EAP Orientation at the start of each term. Register for orientation and receive detailed test schedules with dates and times.
Short Term EAP students: You will take a placement test eight weeks after the beginning of each term during Niagara College’s break week. Detailed test schedules with dates and times are provided by NC International.
If you arrive at Niagara College after the scheduled testing dates have passed, please reach out to our team to schedule a testing date by emailing [email protected]. Please reach out as early as you can, once you learn that you will arrive late. Alternatively, you can provide accepted external English proficiency test scores.
Please note: space in the program is limited once a term has started and late students will be tested according to the availability of teachers and rooms. There may be a fee associated with starting the program late.
You will receive schedules indicating the level you have been placed into,not your test results. If you wish to inquire about your testing results and placement level, you may make an appointment with the ESL Program Coordinator to review this information by emailing [email protected].
If you are taking the Niagara College placement test, we recommend you spend time reviewing your English language skills. Good preparation will make it easier for instructors to accurately assess your skills. Consider one or more of the following preparation activities:
- Read online articles in English that interest you
- Watch English subtitled films or listen to music
- Review any English language textbooks or other reading material you may have
- Look for local community newspapers and radio or television programs in English
- Seek speaking opportunities with native English speakers
You are eligible to take the placement test up until the “Tenth Day” after the start of the EAP program. Exceptions must be approved by the Associate Dean of the School of English Language Studies.