English For Academic Preparation

Niagara College’s high-quality English for Academic Preparation (EAP) program offers five levels of English language skill development, welcoming internationally trained individuals. This program is geared towards learners interested in improving their English language skills, whether they are seeking to enhance their academic English skills before entering a college or university program taught in English or improve their skills for professional development and advancement in the workforce, preparing themselves to work in English-speaking contexts. In addition to developing English language skills, the program also focuses on training and support to meet the academic expectations of postsecondary studies in Canada and English- speaking work environments.

Applicants to this program should be in the process of completing, or have completed, their final year of secondary school. Successful completion of the advanced level of the EAP program with a 70% average enables you to enter undergraduate diploma programs and a 75% average for graduate programs and degrees at Niagara College – with no additional proficiency tests needed.

For our Winter 2025 and Spring/Summer 2025 program terms, every applicant is automatically eligible for a bursary of $1500. Please see Costs & Dates for more information.

EAP brochure

The EAP program has support thousands of English language learners for over 20 years and welcomes hundreds of students from a variety of countries each term, supporting a rich, multicultural learning environment.

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New Scholarship Opportunity

Have you successfully completed level 5 of NC’s English for Academic Preparation (EAP) program?

You may be eligible for a new scholarship opportunity towards an academic program at Niagara College.

Starting Fall 2023, all those who successfully complete level 5 of NC’s English for Academic Preparation (EAP) Program may be eligible for:

  • $2500 CAD scholarship towards term 1 of an academic program at Niagara College
  • If an average of 80% is achieved in term 1 of their academic program, student may receive another $2500 CAD scholarship

Scholarship Details

  • Valid only for international students enrolled as a full-time student in an academic program at Niagara College starting Fall 2023
  • Must have successfully completed level 5 of Niagara College’s EAP Program
  • Replaces and renders void any previous entrance scholarship applications
  • Applied to an academic program and is not able to be combined with any other entrance scholarship offers through Niagara College
  • Payment of the fees indicated on your invoice less the scholarship amount is required to secure your seat

Next Steps:

  • This scholarship is automatically applied to all those who meet the eligibility requirements – no action would be required on your end!
  • The scholarship will be automatically applied to eligible student accounts and could be viewed through the students’ MyNC Student Portal after the first 45 days of term/program start has passed.
    • If the student qualifies for an extended withdrawal date, the scholarship will only be awarded after the amended withdrawal date
We hope that this scholarship opportunity will help you achieve your academic dreams and career goals with Niagara College.

Designed for Success

Our EAP program is designed to strengthen all areas of your English Language skills with the ultimate goal of preparing you for the workforce or to allow you to continue your studies in one of our undergraduate or graduate programs at Niagara College. The EAP program is taught at our Welland Campus that sits on over 100 acres of land. This large campus is ideally located in a residential area that is close to restaurants, shops, and nice, single-family homes. Niagara College has housing support available for students whether you wish to stay in the campus residence, live with a Canadian family from NC’s Homestay program or get support to find an apartment or house to rent.

Program Features

  • Use an approved language test to know your level before you start (*language test is not required, on site testing prior to classes is available at Niagara College)
  • Three session starts per year: January, May and September
  • Each session is four months in duration
  • 23 to 24 hours of classes per week
  • Classes are offered at 5 levels, beginner through advanced
  • Weekly organized social events and activities
  • Students receive a certificate upon successful completion of Level 5

Program Courses

  • Academic Writing and Grammar
  • Reading and Vocabulary Development
  • Speaking, Pronunciation and Presentation Skills
  • Listening and Note-taking Skills
  • Research Skills for Academic Study

Short Term English for Academic Preparation

  • Short-Term EAP is based on the linguistic theories established by the full semester EAP program.
  • This program focuses on English language essentials for students who wish strengthen their skills but are unable to attend the full semester of studies.
  • If you are not able to arrive in Canada for the start of a 14-week EAP term, you may be able to take the last 7 weeks of the term.
  • Students are required to do placement testing to determine their entry EAP level.
Cost & Dates

Academic Progression

Successful completion of the advanced level of EAP with a 70% satisfies the proof of language proficiency condition on your Letter of Acceptance. No additional proficiency tests required.

Levels 1–4

  • Pass all classes with a minimum 50% average and proceed to the next level.
  • Pass all classes with a minimum 90% average and retake the placement test with the possibility to skip one level.

Level 5

  • Pass all classes with a minimum 70% average and you are eligible for Certificate and Post-Secondary Program at Niagara College.
  • Pass all classes with a minimum 75% average and you are eligible for Degree and Graduate Program at Niagara College.

Eligibility

The EAP and Short-Term EAP are available to all international students. The 14-week program is available to Domestic students who speak English as an additional language but is not eligible for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) support.

Individuals who are Francophone Quebec residents, Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents can apply using this online form.

Placement Test Details

All components of the placement test are proctored and administered by a member of our School of English Language Studies.

Note: Former EAP students who have been out of the EAP program for more than one term are required to take the English proficiency test before entering the program again.

  • The speaking interview is 5-10 minutes long
  • Verbal interview with a Niagara College EAP instructor
  • Interview questions range from general knowledge questions to academic topics
  • Scores for the speaking interview are based on a rubric created in accordance with the standards and outcomes of our EAP program
  • The writing task is 45 minutes long
  • Three-part writing assessment on a specific topic
  • Assesses vocabulary and grammar points as well as sentence, paragraph and essay structure
  • Scores for the writing task are based on a writing rubric created in accordance with the standards and outcomes of our EAP program
  • The computer based placement test is 80 minutes long
  • The test evaluates both the use of English and listening skills
  • Students are tested on their knowledge of grammatical forms and vocabulary in the Use of English section and listening comprehension skills in the Listening section. In addition, both sections test how well students understand what is communicated. Understanding meaning is fundamental to communication and is an excellent indicator of language ability.

Students who have applied to postsecondary programs are instructed to take a language proficiency test prior to arriving at Niagara College. Visit our language proficiency page to find out which scores Niagara College accepts. In certain cases, if a student does not provide the required proof of English (TOEFL, IELTS), they may take the English Placement Test at Niagara College for placement in the EAP program. Students must contact the testing coordinator to arrange a testing date prior to the start of their postsecondary program. There is a $100.00 fee associated with taking the test and payment can be made by emailing International Student Accounts at [email protected].

  • Students who arrive at Niagara College with insufficient language proficiency scores or forego standard testing for our English Placement Test must be aware that not passing Niagara College’s proficiency test may result in placement in the EAP program for potentially more than one term.

All students who study in the Short-term EAP program or the Summer English program are required to complete placement testing.

Short-term EAP students who enter the program at midterm should be aware of the following information regarding level progression.

If a student has failed one or more subject areas they must stay in the same level for the next term.

Where can I take the placement test?

New EAP students: Placement tests are administered to new EAP students during orientation at the start of each term. Detailed test schedules with dates and times are provided by NC International during the orientation period.

Short Term EAP students: Placement tests for short-term EAP students are administered 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.

What if I arrive at Niagara College after the scheduled  testing dates?

If you arrive at Niagara College after the scheduled testing dates have passed, you must contact the ESL Testing Facilitator by email to schedule a testing date.

*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.

Can I see my testing results?

Students receive schedules indicating the level they have been placed into and are not given their test results. If you wish to inquire about your testing results and placement level, you may make an appointment with the ESL Student Advisor to review this information.

How can I prepare for the placement test?

We recommend that students taking the placement test spend time reviewing their 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
  • Reviewing 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

What is the deadline to take the placement test?

Students 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.