Articulation of Applied Academics
Courses for Post-Secondary Admission in BC

Guide to University & College Prerequisites

USING THIS GUIDE

In British Columbia, Applied Academics forms a part of the high school graduation program. It is used to describe four provincial curriculum areas: Technical and Professional Communications 12, Applications of Mathematics 9 to 12 and Applications of Physics 11 and 12. By showing concrete applications of how academic theories are used in everyday situations – to solve problems at home or in the workplace – Applied Academics offer students a better picture of what they are learning and why. By emphasizing applications of theory, problem solving and critical thinking, Applied Academics provides students with the skills (literacy, numeracy, computing and technology) post-secondary institutions recognize as a necessary foundation for further study in most fields.

This guide answers the question: If I complete Grade 11 or 12 Applied Academics Course ‘x’, which post-secondary institution am I eligible to enter, directly or indirectly?

What do you mean by "directly?"

Students may wish to go directly from completion of grade 12 to a diploma or certificate-granting program at a college or institute in BC. Or, they may wish to pursue a degree at one of BC’s universities or university colleges. These are considered direct routes.

And, "indirectly?"

Students can also apply to enter one of the province’s universities or university colleges after completing a two-year university transfer program at another institution. This is an indirect route. Because most universities do not currently accept Applied Academics courses for direct entry from Grade 12 but most of the province’s other institutions do, this is an important option for those students interested in taking Applied Academics courses.

Most post-secondary institutions require a student who has either not taken or not obtained a sufficient grade in English 12 to take an English assessment test.

The purpose of this test is to provide the receiving institution with information about the student’s competency in English. Many institutions administer their own test. Most also accept the results of the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) Test. If the student achieves a sufficient score on either of these tests, he or she may be eligible to take programs with an English 12 prerequisite. Score requirements vary from institution to institution.

A student considering taking Technical and Professional Communications 12 (TPC 12) should be aware that by achieving a sufficient score on an English assessment test, he or she can become eligible for some programs that have an English 12 prerequisite

A student taking TPC12 for entrance to most vocational/career-technology programs (non-degree) will find that TPC 12 is accepted for program admission eligibility.

Important: Not all institutions allow students to use English assessment testing results to achieve eligibility for programs requiring English 12 as a prerequisite. For more information on English assessment testing, consult the registrar’s office or calendar of the institution where you hope to register.

The LPI is the most frequently used English assessment test used by post-secondary institutions. The LPI is composed of four parts: sentence structure; English usage; paragraph development, structure, and content; and essay writing. A student who has successfully completed TPC 12 will have been required to demonstrate competency in each of these areas.

The LPI is administered by the University of British Columbia. Sittings for this test are held periodically at most post-secondary institutions. A student need take this test only once as long as he or she achieves a sufficient score. After receiving the score, the student can then use it to apply to most post-secondary institutions. There is a registration fee of $38.00 each time a student takes the test. For more information on the LPI, including how to register and where the next sitting will be held near you, contact the:

Room 6, 2125 Main Mall
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z4

Phone: (604) 822-4145
Fax: (604) 822-9144

E-mail: lpi@ares.ubc.ca

The information contained in this guide is also summarized in the Student Guide to Articulation of Applied Academics Courses for Admission to Post-Secondary Programs within British Columbia. This summary is updated frequently and published on the Center’s Internet web site.

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